Keri's Perfect Martini

Whether you're winding down after a long day or kicking off an elegant evening, a martini sets the tone. This is Keri's perfect martini—clean, crisp, and just the right amount of dry. A dash of orange bitters and a bright lemon twist bring it all together.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz good-quality gin (Keri’s preference is Hendricks)

• ½ tablespoon dry vermouth

• Dash of orange bitters

• Lemon twist, for garnish

Preparation:

1. Fill a mixing glass or shaker with ice.

   
   

2. Add gin, dry vermouth, and a dash of orange bitters.

   
   

3. Stir (do not shake!) for about 30 seconds until well chilled.

   
   

4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

   
   

5. Garnish with a lemon twist—express the oils over the drink and drop it in.

   
   

6. Sip and enjoy.

This martini is my personal go-to, but the beauty of a martini is how customizable it is. Once you’ve nailed the base, you can make it your own every time. Try these other martini variations:

Not So Dry Martini

Prefer a touch more vermouth? Try a higher ratio of gin to dry vermouth, such as a 2:1 ratio—2 oz gin to 1 oz dry vermouth. It’s a bit softer on the palate.

Dirty Martini

Add ½ to 1 oz of olive brine to your mix and garnish with a couple of olives instead of a lemon twist.

Extra Dry

Swirl a bit of vermouth in your glass, then dump it out before adding just gin and bitters. Still aromatic, but bone-dry.

Vodka Martini

Swap the gin for vodka if that’s more your vibe. Keep the rest the same or experiment with different bitters.

Gibson

Swap the lemon twist for a cocktail onion for a savory twist on the classic. Bonus points for a homemade pickled onion.