Vodka Martini

Steps

1. 1

   Measure 60ml of vodka and 10ml of dry vermouth using your jigger, then pour both into the mixing glass. The vermouth amount is small, so pour carefully to avoid over-pouring.

   

   !Pouring vermouth straight from the bottle without measuring usually makes the drink too sweet and heavy.

2. 2

   Fill the mixing glass about three-quarters full with ice, making sure the ice sits above the liquid. Use large, solid cubes if you have them so they melt slower.

   

   !Using small, broken ice chips will melt too fast and over-dilute the drink before it's cold.

3. 3

   Grab your bar spoon and stir smoothly and steadily for about 30 seconds, moving the ice in a circle around the glass. You'll know you're done when the outside of the mixing glass feels very cold to the touch and frost starts forming.

   ~30s

   

   !Stirring too fast or chipping the ice will crack shards and make the drink cloudy instead of clear.

4. 4

   Take your chilled glass out of the freezer and hold the Hawthorne strainer tightly over the top of the mixing glass. Pour the drink through the strainer into the chilled glass, letting the ice stay behind in the mixing glass.

   

   !Letting a piece of ice slip into the serving glass will melt and water down the texture.

5. 5

   Hold a lemon peel over the drink, colored side facing down, and give it a good twist so the citrus oils spray across the surface. Drop the peel into the glass, or swap it for a green olive if you prefer a savory note.

   

   !Twisting the white pith side down makes the drink taste bitter instead of bright and citrusy.