Bar Basics · Classics
Types of Martinis12 Martini Variations, From Classic to Cosmopolitan
A visual guide to the types of martinis: the classic, dirty, vodka, Vesper, Martinez, espresso, fruit and dessert martinis, and what each one is made of.
5 min read4 drinks ⇄ 4 twins ↓
The main types of martinis are the classic gin martini, the vodka martini, the dirty martini, the Vesper, the Martinez and the espresso martini, plus fruit and dessert martinis. Every one is a spirit-forward drink served in a stemmed glass; they differ in the spirit, the vermouth and the extras.
This guide sorts 12 martini variations by style, explains what makes each one different and links to a full recipe for the ones we have. Four of the more unusual ones (the Vesper, the Martinez, the espresso martini and the smoky martini) have cards with a zero-proof twin here.
What Is a Martini? (And What Makes a Drink a Martini)
A true martini is gin or vodka plus dry vermouth, stirred or shaken and served up. Most “martinis” on a menu are really cocktails named for the glass: anything cold, strong and elegant in a V-shaped glass got the name. That is fine; the shape is part of the appeal. For the base recipe and ratios, start with the martini recipe.
The 12 Types of Martinis
| Martini | Built from | Taste | Full recipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic gin martini | Gin, dry vermouth | Crisp, botanical | Martini recipe |
| Vodka martini | Vodka, dry vermouth | Clean, very cold | Vodka martini |
| Dirty martini | Vodka or gin, vermouth, olive brine | Salty, savory | Dirty martini |
| Gibson | Gin, dry vermouth, cocktail onion | Dry, savory | Martini recipe |
| Vesper | Gin, vodka, aperitif wine | Strong, bright | Below |
| Martinez | Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino | Rich, slightly sweet | Below |
| Smoky martini | Gin, vermouth, Scotch rinse | Dry with a whisper of smoke | Below |
| Espresso martini | Vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso | Bittersweet, foamy | Below |
| Chocolate martini | Vodka, chocolate liqueur, cream | Rich, dessert-like | Chocolate martini |
| Apple martini | Vodka, apple liqueur, lemon | Tart, sweet | Vodka martini |
| French martini | Vodka, pineapple, raspberry liqueur | Fruity, frothy | Vodka martini |
| Cosmopolitan | Vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry, lime | Tart, fruity | Vodka cocktails |
Classic Martinis: Gin, Vodka, Dirty and Gibson
These four are the foundation. The gin martini and the vodka martini differ only in the spirit; the dirty martini adds olive brine and the Gibson swaps the olive for a pickled onion. Garnish changes the drink, so choose it deliberately: an olive for savory, a lemon twist for bright and an onion for dry.
Each of these is covered in depth on its own page: the classic martini, the vodka martini and the dirty martini.
The Vesper, the Martinez and Other Old-School Martinis
The Vesper
Gin, vodka and a pale aperitif wine, made famous by James Bond in Casino Royale. It is strong, bright and slightly bitter. Shake it until ice-cold and serve it in a deep conical glass with a long lemon peel.
Gin, vodka and aperitif wine: that is all a Vesper is, so use good ingredients.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
Martini glassShaken3 minStrong · 29%
Martini glassShaken3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 3¼ oz
The pour · 3¼ oz
Vesper
Vesper Zero-Proof
Gin, vodka and aperitif wine, shaken until ice-cold.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLong lemon peel
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLong lemon peel
Method
- 1Shake everything with ice for 10 seconds.
- 2Strain into a chilled deep martini glass.
- 3Express a long lemon peel over the top and drop it in.
Method
- 1Stir or shake everything with ice for 10 seconds.
- 2Strain into a chilled deep martini glass.
- 3Express a long lemon peel over the top and drop it in.
How the swap works
Juniper tea brings gin's pine, verjus adds the wine, and a splash of tonic adds the quinine bitterness of the aperitif.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
The Martinez
The Martinez is often called the martini’s ancestor: gin and sweet vermouth with a touch of cherry liqueur and bitters. It is richer and sweeter than a modern martini, and a good bridge for people who find the classic too dry.
Sweet vermouth and a good cherry are what separate a Martinez from a martini.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
CoupeStirred3 minStrong · 27%
CoupeStirred3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 3⅓ oz
The pour · 3⅓ oz
Martinez
Cherry Vermouth-Style Martinez
Gin, sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur: the martini's ancestor.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishOrange twist and a cherry
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishOrange twist and a cherry
Method
- 1Stir everything with ice for 20 to 30 seconds.
- 2Strain into a chilled coupe.
- 3Express an orange peel over the top and add a cherry.
Method
- 1Stir everything with ice for 20 to 30 seconds.
- 2Strain into a chilled coupe.
- 3Express an orange peel over the top and add a cherry.
How the swap works
Tart cherry juice has the dark, fruity depth of sweet vermouth and maraschino, and tea provides the tannin.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
The Smoky Martini
A gin martini with a rinse of peaty Scotch around the glass for a whisper of smoke. A little goes a long way.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
Martini glassStirred3 minStrong · 30%
Martini glassStirred3 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 3¼ oz
The pour · 3 oz
Smoky Martini
Smoked Tea Martini
A gin martini with a Scotch rinse.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLemon twist
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishLemon twist
Method
- 1Swirl the Scotch around a chilled glass, then pour out the excess.
- 2Stir the gin and vermouth with ice for 20 to 30 seconds.
- 3Strain into the glass and express a lemon peel over the top.
Method
- 1Stir the tea, verjus, bitters and salt with ice for 20 to 30 seconds.
- 2Strain into a chilled glass and express a lemon peel over the top.
How the swap works
Lapsang souchong is smoked over pine, so it brings the same campfire note as peaty Scotch.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Fruit Martinis: Apple, French, Cosmopolitan and Lemon Drop
Fruit martinis are the ones that look the most like candy and taste the most like a sour: the green Apple Martini, the pink French Martini, the Cosmopolitan and the yellow Lemon Drop. They are lighter and sweeter than the classics. Find the apple and French martini recipes on the vodka martini page, and the Cosmopolitan and Lemon Drop in vodka cocktails.
Dessert Martinis: Chocolate, Espresso and Salted Caramel
Dessert martinis are creamy, sweet and best served after dinner. The chocolate martini is the classic; the espresso martini is the modern favorite, and the salted caramel version sits between them.
The Espresso Martini
Vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, shaken hard for a thick foam. Use freshly pulled espresso: it makes both the foam and the flavor.
The foam is the point, so shake as hard as you can for at least 10 seconds.
· Cocktail spec · Zero-proof spec
CoupeShaken4 minMedium · 18%
CoupeShaken4 minZero-proof · 0.0%
The pour · 3½ oz
The pour · 3 oz
Espresso Martini
Espresso Shakerato
Vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, shaken until foamy.
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishThree coffee beans
Ingredients (1 drink)
GarnishThree coffee beans
Method
- 1Shake everything with plenty of ice for at least 10 seconds.
- 2Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- 3Float three coffee beans on the foam.
Method
- 1Shake everything with plenty of ice for at least 10 seconds.
- 2Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- 3Float three coffee beans on the foam.
How the swap works
Shaking espresso with sugar and ice makes a thick foam, the way the shakerato is made in Italian cafes.
Enjoy responsibly · legal drinking age only · Zero-proof twin · · 1 oz = 30 ml
Which Martini Should You Order?
- You like it dry and cold: a classic gin or vodka martini, with a twist.
- You like salty and savory: a dirty martini or a Gibson.
- You want something strong and unusual: a Vesper or a Martinez.
- You like fruit: a French or an apple martini.
- You want dessert: a chocolate or an espresso martini.
- You are new to martinis: a vodka martini or a French martini is the gentlest start.
Zero-Proof Martinis
Every one of these can be rebuilt without alcohol. Chilled tea, verjus and a pinch of salt give the dry martinis their bite, cold brew and cream replace the dessert ones and a little smoky tea stands in for the Scotch rinse. See the cards above and the guide to how to make mocktails.
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Last call
Questions from the bar
Q1What are the different types of martinis?
The main types are the classic gin martini, vodka martini, dirty martini, Gibson, Vesper, Martinez and smoky martini. Fruit and dessert martinis (apple, French, chocolate, espresso) are named after the glass and are really separate cocktails.
Martini recipe ↗Q2What is a Vesper martini?
A Vesper is a martini made with gin, vodka and aperitif wine (a Lillet-style fortified wine), shaken until cold and served with a lemon peel. It first appeared in Ian Fleming's novel *Casino Royale*, where James Bond orders it.
Q3What is the difference between a martini and a Martinez?
A Martinez is made with gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters, so it is sweeter and richer. A martini uses dry vermouth and is drier. The Martinez is often called the martini's ancestor.
Q4Is an espresso martini a real martini?
Not strictly. It is vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso shaken and served in a martini glass, so it is a dessert cocktail named for the glass. Most bars call it a martini regardless.
Chocolate martini ↗Q5What is the most popular martini?
The classic dry gin or vodka martini is probably the most iconic, and the espresso martini is the most popular today.
Vodka martini ↗Q6What is the best martini for beginners?
A vodka martini or a French martini. Vodka is neutral, so the drink is cleaner than gin, and the French martini is fruity and sweet enough to be an easy first sip.
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