Dry Martini 3:1
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 29.4% ABV ∙
The Dry Martini 3:1 is a stirred spirit-forward cocktail of London dry gin and dry vermouth in a 3:1 ratio, served up with an olive or lemon twist.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 60 mlDry vermouth 20 mlOrange bitters 1 dash (opt.)
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with an olive or a lemon twist on a skewer
Tips
- Stir gin and vermouth with large ice cubes for about 20-25 seconds until the mixing glass feels ice-cold.
- Keep it an exact 3:1, 60 ml gin to 20 ml vermouth, and pour the vermouth in first so it coats the ice before the gin goes over.
History
The Dry Martini 3:1 marks the post-Prohibition standard for a "dry" Martini. During Prohibition, bartenders working with poor-quality bathtub gin leaned on more vermouth to mask its harshness. After Repeal, with better gin available, the balance shifted toward far less vermouth, and 3:1 gin to vermouth became the new standard "dry" style.
By 1922 it had settled into London dry gin and dry vermouth at 2:1. It grew progressively drier across the 20th century, to 3:1 by the 1930s and to the Dry Martini 5:1 or drier in later decades.
