Dry Martini 7:1
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 37.5% ABV ∙
The Dry Martini 7:1 is a stirred, spirit-forward gin cocktail built at a very gin-heavy ratio of London dry gin to dry vermouth, finished with a lemon twist. Cold and juniper-driven, with only a whisper of vermouth herbaceousness and a bright citrus lift from the twist on a bone-dry, warming finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 70 mlDry vermouth 10 mlOrange bitters 1 dash
- Strain into the chilled martini glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir with large cubes for 30 seconds, about 45-50 stirs, to reach proper dilution without over-diluting this low-vermouth 7:1 build.
- Chill the gin and martini glass beforehand so stirring time isn't spent just dropping the initial temperature, preserving the intended dilution ratio.
- Express the lemon twist's oils over the surface by pinching it peel-side down near the rim, then rub the rim before dropping it in.
- Add the single dash of orange bitters into the mixing glass before the gin and vermouth so it disperses evenly during stirring.
History
The Dry Martini 7:1 is a modern, extra-dry riff on the classic Martini, whose contested origins are debated among rival stories tied to San Francisco's 1860s Martinez cocktail, a 1911 New York bartender, and the Martini & Rossi vermouth brand. By 1922 the drink had settled into a widely recognized 2:1 ratio of London dry gin to dry vermouth, and that proportion shrank steadily over the following decades — roughly 3:1 in the 1930s, 4:1 in the 1940s, and 5:1 or 6:1 by the later 20th century, with some versions pushing past 8:1. The 7:1 build sits within that later, drier stretch of the trend, using only a thin measure of vermouth to season the gin rather than balance it in the earlier, wetter style.
FAQ
What is the best ratio for a dry martini?
There is no single agreed-upon best ratio; it ranges from equal parts gin and vermouth up to very gin-forward pours like 7:1 or higher. This build uses a 7:1 gin-to-vermouth ratio, giving a much drier, more spirit-forward drink than a classic 2:1 or 3:1 martini.
What are the ingredients in a dry martini?
London dry gin and dry vermouth, stirred with ice and strained into a chilled glass, with a lemon twist for garnish. This recipe also allows an optional dash of orange bitters, and uses a notably gin-heavy 7:1 ratio rather than the more common 2:1 or 3:1.
What is a 5 to 1 martini ratio?
A 5:1 martini ratio means five parts gin to one part dry vermouth, a drier pour than the classic 2:1 or 3:1 but less extreme than this 7:1 build. Higher ratios like 5:1 and 7:1 became popular as tastes shifted toward lighter vermouth use through the 20th century.
What is a 2:1 martini called?
A 2:1 martini is simply called a dry martini; there is no separate special name for that specific ratio. The term "dry" refers to using less vermouth relative to gin, so a 2:1, 3:1, or this 7:1 build are all variations within the same dry martini family.
What is the difference between a dry martini and a martini cocktail?
A dry martini specifically uses dry (white) vermouth in a gin-forward ratio, while "martini cocktail" is a broader term that can include sweeter styles made with sweet vermouth or different proportions. This build is a dry martini at a very gin-heavy 7:1 ratio, well past the classic 2:1 or 3:1 split.
Is a dry martini shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Gin and vermouth are clear spirits with no citrus or egg to aerate, so stirring chills and dilutes the drink while keeping it silky and clear rather than clouded and over-diluted by shaking.
