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How to order a martini like a boss | Drizly

Why order a martini like a rookie when you can do it like a boss? Learn the lingo, ingredients and styles with Drizly.

November 13, 2020

The days of tripping up over the dirty, up, shaken, stirred, dry or with a twist are over, because today we're teaching you how to order a martini…just like Bond.

Step 1: Choose your liquor

For the love of all that is holy, know if you want a gin or vodka martini. Some bartenders won't ask you to specify, and as a result, they may guess wrong. As magical as they may seem, bartenders are not mind readers. And if they ask and you don't know – well, pick one and see how it goes. Another tip, state the brand you prefer. This isn't 20 questions. Be upfront with what you want.

Step 2: Customize to taste

This is where things can get tricky. Here are some options:

Dirty

With olive juice or brine. Having your drink dirty brings a salty, olive-y, flavor and makes it a little cloudy looking. Good if you don't like the taste of alcohol.

Dry

Drizzle of vermouth. Extra dry means even less vermouth, as in, a splash.

Wet

More than a drizzle of vermouth.

Sweet

Sweet vermouth instead of dry vermouth.

Perfect

Equal parts sweet and dry vermouth for a balanced flavor.

Neat

Alcohol poured straight from the bottle. No vermouth. No chilling. You don't mess around.

With a twist

Lemon peel added as a garnish.

With an olive (or two or three)

This is exactly what it sounds like. Also, you know what sounds delicious but is gross? Blue cheese stuffed olives. Approach with caution. If you're not feeling olive-y (that's a word, right?) you could use a pickled onion and turn your martini into a Gibson. Take caution there too. 

Step 3: Delivery

Up

This brings your drink in the traditional martini glass that makes it impossible to walk across the room without spilling. The benefits are that your drink has been stirred with ice (or shaken, if your name is Mr. Bond), but strained before pouring so the drink doesn't become diluted.

On the rocks

Every last drop of your drink will arrive in a stemless glass with ice. Eventually, it will be watered-down if you don't drink it fast enough.

Step 4: Respect the martini

Never drink four martinis. You'll probably even regret the third. Stick to two, at most.

And there you have it. You're officially one step closer to being like Bond. Check to see if Drizly delivers in your area and get your next martini ingredients brought right to your doorstep.