These Christmas Martini Recipes Will Up Your Holiday Celebration (2024)

FAQs

What is an up martini? ›

“Up” means that the drink has been strained into a co*cktail glass without ice. Martinis are almost always served up, so you generally don't need to specify this in your order. Wet. A Wet Martini is heavier on the dry vermouth, meaning your bartender may bump the vermouth up by half an ounce or more.

A classic dirty martini can be made, depending on drinker's preference, with all gin or all vodka, but using half gin, half vodka — with some vermouth and brine — results in a drink that leans a bit fresher and cleaner.

Gin

Martini / Main alcohol

Gin is a distilled alcoholic drink flavoured with juniper berries and other botanical ingredients. Gin originated as a medicinal liquor made by monks and alchemists across Europe.

Wikipedia

The term “up” refers to any drink that is shaken, stirred, or combined with ice and therefore chilled, but it is served without ice. This is different from ordering a whiskey “neat”.

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

Classic martini

One of the most famous co*cktails on menus around the globe, the classic martini has just two key ingredients. Choose between gin or vodka to pair with your vermouth. Vodka martinis tend to be cleaner and less botanical, while gin lends aromatic, floral notes.

The Most Popular Martini Flavor in the U.S.

Pineapple martinis are sweet, delicious, and straightforward, making them a popular choice among patrons all over the nation. All you need to make one of these martinis for yourself is pineapple juice, vodka, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

Best Overall: Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambery

“London dry-style gins need bigger, bolder vermouths,” he says. Kotsiras agrees. “If you're after a classic gin Martini with London dry gin, I'm always reaching for Dolin,” he says. “It's flavorful enough and plays a great supporting role while letting your gin shine.”

When it comes to martini olives, you want something that can stand up to the bold flavors of the co*cktail itself. That's why we always prefer either Spanish Queen Olives or Spanish Manzanilla Olives. Spanish Queen Olives are the gold star of martini olives.

What is the two martini rule? ›

Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic. The reasons for this are obvious and I try to adhere to this rule at home. The rule is defended most enduringly (and elegantly) at Duke's Bar in Central London, where years of experience … Continue reading.

5 oz dry vermouth = 2 shots. The Martini is basically an extremely dry, slightly velvety glass of booze. While dry vermouth usually clocks in at only about 17 percent ABV, most of the liquid in your glass is pure gin (or vodka, if you swing that way).

Perfect Martini

Calls for 2 ounces gin, 1 ounce dry vermouth, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, ½ ounce Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and 2 dashes Angostura Bitters. Serve with a lemon twist.

If the vodka were diluted with ice, it would technically be up. If, however, the bottle of vodka itself was chilled and no ice was added, it would be neat. As mentioned, straight also can refer to a pure pour of a shot of liquor. This can be tequila, vodka, whiskey, or even rum.

All vodka martini co*cktails should be served “straight up” because that term simply describes co*cktails that are shaken or stirred with ice, then strained. A martini co*cktail “up” basically means the same thing — served cold without the ice — although this term is typically reserved for single liquors, not co*cktails.

Neat refers to a shot of liquor, generally scotch or bourbon, poured straight from the bottle into a glass with no ice or water and served at room temperature. Up involves a drink that is shaken or stirred and then served as is, no ice or water.

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.