Dry Martini 5:1
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 31.2% ABV ∙
The Dry Martini 5:1 is a stirred spirit-forward cocktail of London dry gin and dry vermouth in a 5:1 ratio, finished with an olive.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 50 mlDry vermouth 10 ml
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with an olive
Tips
- Stir the gin and vermouth with large cubes for about 30 seconds until the mixing glass feels ice-cold.
- Hold the 5:1 ratio, 50 ml of gin to 10 ml of vermouth; any more vermouth and the drink loses its crisp, dry edge.
- Rinse or pat the olive dry before it goes in, or the brine will drown out the vermouth.
History
The Dry Martini 5:1 is a variation of the Martini, whose own origin is contested among several rival theories. By 1922 the Martini had settled into a widely recognized 2:1 gin-to-vermouth ratio, and the drink grew progressively drier across the 20th century — 3:1 by the 1930s, 4:1 by the 1940s, and 5:1 or drier becoming common in later decades.
This recipe reflects that 5:1 stage of the trend, producing a markedly drier, less vermouth-forward pour than the classic Dry Martini 2:1.
FAQ
What is a 5 to 1 ratio martini?
Five parts gin to one part dry vermouth: here 50 ml London dry gin to 10 ml vermouth. It is drier than an equal-parts or 2:1 Martini; the gin leads and the vermouth adds a light herbal note.
What is the perfect ratio for a dry martini?
There is no single right ratio; it comes down to taste. Dry Martinis have ranged from equal parts to 15:1 or drier. This recipe uses 5:1, a common modern dry style where the vermouth is present but clearly behind the gin.
What is a 6 to 1 martini?
A 6:1 Martini uses six parts gin to one part dry vermouth, slightly drier than a 5:1. The difference is subtle in the glass; both lean heavily on the gin, with only a trace of vermouth.
What is in a dry martini?
London dry gin and dry vermouth, here 50 ml and 10 ml (5:1), with an olive to garnish.
Is a dry martini shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Stirring chills and dilutes the gin and vermouth without clouding them with air, so the drink stays clear and silky. Stir over big cubes for about 30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass is ice-cold.
