Vodka Martini

A vodka twist on the classic gin martini, our vodka martini is unashamedly flavourful and powerful. It’s bursting with grown up flavor and it looks stylish in any situation. Best still is that you can master that art of making it in less than 5 minutes – seriously!

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you!

Why you’ll love this easy cocktail recipe

• You can make many vodka martinis for a fraction of the cost at expensive bars.
• They are SO simple to make, anybody can make them in less than 5 minutes!
• It’s the perfect drink for those who prefer a dry martini.
• They are great all year round, making a delicious summer cocktail or Christmas cocktail!
• All the ingredients are 100% vegetarian and vegan.

Vodka martini ingredients

A lot of people think that a martini is just vodka, but as you can see there’s a little more to it.

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Need a cocktail for a James Bond themed party? This is perfect and you can make it ahead too!

How to make a vodka martini with step-by-step instructions

Making our classic vodka martini recipe is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

A full printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.

For a shaken vodka martini

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vodka and dry vermouth.

Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Then strain it into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with green olives or a lemon twist or lemon peel.

For a stirred vodka martini

Add vodka and dry vermouth in a cocktail mixing glass filled with ice.

Stir for 30 seconds and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with green olives or a lemon twist or lemon peel.

Cheers, and enjoy your vodka martinis!

We hope you enjoy making and drinking our classic vodka martini recipe and would love to hear how you got on with making it!

Please leave a comment below or feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Recipe notes and expert tips

• No cocktail shaker or mixer glass?
  Use a large mason jar with a lid as a make do shaker and use a measuring jug as a make do mixing glass.
• Add extras
  Why not throw in some lemon zest and orange bitters for an extra citrus flavored cocktail?
• Chill your glass
  Put your cocktail glass in the freezer for an hour before you need it, this ensures your cocktail stays chilled.
• Make it ahead
  Mix the vodka and vermouth and place it in the fridge but remove the ice cubes or they will melt and water down your cocktail

What is the difference between a martini and a vodka martini?

In an alcoholic cocktail, two ingredients, vodka, and vermouth combine. Using vodka instead of gin you call it Vodka Martinis rather than dry, sugary, and perfect martinis.

What’s the best cocktail glass to serve it in?

Which is the best vodka to use?

Vodka is the prominent ingredient in this classic cocktail.

So, whatever you use needs to be good.

Use high quality vodka.

If you can, avoid budget vodka, it doesn’t have the smooth flavor that a premium brand will have.

Grey Goose is our absolute favorite, it’s from France and really smooth, if you haven’t tried it, then you are in for a treat!

Belvedere vodka is a premium Polish vodka, it’s smooth with just a faint taste of vanilla.

If you don’t have that kind of budget, then you can’t go wrong with Absolute vodka, which is a good solid Swedish vodka.

Buy the best that you can afford.

And if you’re worried about the after-effects of drinking cocktails, then this medicine ball recipe may help take the edge off.

What is vermouth?

Vermouth is actually a fortified wine that has been flavored with botanicals.

There are two main different types of vermouth, dry vermouth and simply sweet vermouth,

But you can also buy Bianco or sweet Blanco, red, amber, rose, and extra dry white.

We love La Quintinye royal extra dry vermouth is got a great balance and works incredibly well in this martini.

Is a vodka martini the same as a dirty martini?

No, they are different.

In a vodka martini, you simply have vodka and dry vermouth.

For a dirty martini, you can use gin or vodka and dry vermouth.

You also use olive brine or olive juice, which you don’t in a vodka martini.

Do I need any special equipment to make a vodka martini?

You’ll need a cocktail glass.

Preferably a stylish martini glass like this.

Or one of these beautiful coupe glasses.

You’ll also need a cocktail shaker or a cocktail mixing glass.

This is a great cocktail mixing set, it’s got everything you’ll need for this cocktail and a whole lot more.

After all, who wants to stop at one cocktail?

Read the tips section if you don’t have these.

What do I garnish it with?

We like to garnish with three olives.

But you can also garnish them with a lemon twist, we think they look refreshing and stylish.

More martini recipes for you to enjoy

If you love our vodka martini, then you should check out these classic martini recipes!

• Espresso martini
• Dirty martini
• Lemon drop martini
• Vesper martini
• Vodka martini

You may also like…

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Cake Recipe stands out for its moist texture, deep chocolate flavor, and silky frosting. It’s perfect for celebrating or as a way to…

Spicy Korean Tofu Soup (Sundubu Jjigae)

This Korean Tofu Soup, or Sundubu Jjigae, is warm, spicy, cozy, and delicious! Perfect for chilly nights or when you’re craving something comforting, it’s a flavorful blend…