The Martini Files: A Gin-Soaked Love Letter to Six Iconic Serves - Lucy

Few cocktails command as much reverence as the Martini. It’s not just a drink — it’s a ritual, a mood, a moment. Whether you’re a purist or a twist-seeker, there’s a Martini for every mood (and every gin lover). But before we dive into the variations, let’s rewind the reel a bit — because the Martini didn’t just appear, fully formed, in the hand of James Bond.

A Splash of History

The exact origin of the Martini is a bit hazy — like all the best cocktail tales — but it likely evolved from the Martinez, a sweeter, vermouth-heavy drink popular in the mid-1800s. Some credit its birth to San Francisco bartenders during the Gold Rush; others say it was first stirred up at New York’s Knickerbocker Hotel.

What we do know is that by the early 20th century, the Martini had shed its sugar and taken on a drier, more refined personality — aligning perfectly with the era’s taste for sophistication and spirit-forward sipping.

By the 1920s and ’30s, it was the drink of choice for high society, jazz-age icons, and literary types (Hemingway loved a strong one, of course).And then came Bond. When Ian Fleming introduced the Vesper Martini in Casino Royale, the Martini became immortalised in pop culture — a symbol of cool, cunning, and just the right amount of danger.

But here’s the kicker: the Martini isn’t one-size-fits-all. There’s an entire family of Martinis, from the bone-dry to the boldly briny, and each one has its own flavour, vibe, and ideal gin. Let’s explore six classic styles and the best way to make them sing.

Classic Dry Martini

The gold standard. Crisp, clean, unapologetically adult.

What it is:
A high-octane blend of gin and dry vermouth, stirred to silky perfection and served ice-cold.

Ratio:
60ml London Dry Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
Garnish: Lemon twist or olive

How to make:
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add gin and vermouth. Stir (never shake — we’re not animals) until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a frozen coupe or Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist for zing or an olive if you're feeling classic.

Gin recommendation:
Go for a juniper-forward London Dry. You want something bold enough to hold its own, with citrus and herbaceous notes to keep things elegant.Top tip:

Serve icy cold in a frozen glass — the Martini waits for no one.

Wet Martini

A softer, smoother sibling of the dry classic.

What it is:
More vermouth, less austerity. The Wet Martini is plush and gently herbal — a throwback to Martini’s early 20th-century roots.

Ratio:
60ml Gin
20ml Dry Vermouth
Garnish: Lemon twist

How to make:
Stir ingredients over ice until chilled, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Gin recommendation:
Try a floral or citrus-forward gin like Four Pillars Rare Dry. Their complexity complements the extra vermouth beautifully.

Perfect for:
Martini newbies or those easing into the category — it’s gentler, less dry, and absolutely lovely.

Dirty Martini

Savory, sultry, and a little bit scandalous.

What it is:
A briny twist on the classic, thanks to olive brine. Loved by those who like their drinks with a salty, umami punch

Ratio:
60ml Gin
10ml Dry Vermouth
10ml Olive brine

Garnish:
Green olives (always 3 — never even numbers, it’s a thing)

How to make:
Stir all ingredients over ice, then strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with olives.

Gin recommendation:
Go bold and savoury. Think Gin Mare (hello, olive and rosemary!) or Belfast Artisan Saltwater Gin — anything with Mediterranean flair.

Pro tip:
Use quality brine — not the cloudy stuff from a supermarket jar. Trust me.

50/50 Martini

Equal parts gin and vermouth? Equal parts genius.

What it is:
A lighter, lower-ABV Martini with a silky, almost aperitif-like charm.

Ratio:
30ml Gin
30ml Dry Vermouth

Garnish:
Orange twist or lemon twist

How to make:
Stir over ice until well chilled. Strain into a coupe. Garnish with a citrus twist — orange gives it a soft lift, lemon keeps it classic.

Gin recommendation:
Delicate and floral gins shine here — You want nuance, not muscle.

Best enjoyed:
Pre-dinner, on a sunny balcony, paired with olives or smoked almonds.

Martinez Martini

Where gin meets the sweeter side of the Martini family tree.

What it is:
The Martini’s mysterious ancestor — part gin, part sweet vermouth, with a kiss of maraschino and bitters.

Ratio:
45ml Old Tom Gin
25ml Sweet Vermouth
1 bar spoon Maraschino liqueur
2 dashes Angostura or orange bitters

Garnish:
Orange twist

How to make:
Stir all ingredients over ice. Strain into a coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

Gin recommendation:
Must be Old Tom — sweeter, rounder, and richer than London Dry.

Vibe check:
Deep, rich, slightly nutty. It’s like the Negroni’s elegant older cousin who listens to jazz on vinyl.

Vesper Martini

Shaken, not stirred — and stirred up with danger.

What it is:
Created by Ian Fleming for James Bond, the Vesper is a potent trio of gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.

Ratio:
45ml Gin
15ml Vodka
15ml Lillet Blanc

Garnish:
Lemon twist

How to make:
This one is shaken — vigorously — then strained into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Gin recommendation:
A strong, crisp gin that won’t get lost in the mix.

Fun fact:
Bond’s original line called for Kina Lillet, which was more bitter than today’s Lillet Blanc.

Want to get closer to the original?
Try swapping in Cocchi Americano for extra bite.

A final stir...

Whether you like your Martinis dry, dirty, or drenched in history, there’s a version with your name on it.

The key is great gin, a cold glass, and no shortcuts on technique.

Lucy’s Martini Upgrade Kit:

- Mixing glass (yes, the fancy kind)
- Long-handled bar spoon
- Julep strainer
- Coupe or Nick & Nora glass
- A freezer full of premium ice
- Vermouth kept in the fridge (always!)
- And, of course, the perfect gin — make it a good one

The Gallery

“Explore the Belford and Co gin collection to find your Martini soulmate. And remember — the only wrong way to drink a Martini is in a warm glass." Lucy

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