When I bartended people would literally request that for a martini.

HTownAg98 said:

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It's starting to cool down enough to where I enjoy a gin martini in the evening. Sow how do you like yours? Vodka martini drinkers need not apply; I do like vodka martinis too, but that's not what I'm after here.

Which gin, and how much Ford's, 3 oz.
Which vermouth, and how much? Dolin dry vermouth, 1 oz.
Shaken or stirred? Stirred.
Garnishes? If so, what kind? An olive or lemon twist. Sometimes I like blue cheese stuffed olives.

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Fords is my favorite and perfect for a martini
Vermouth rinse
Shaken
Blue cheese olives

Gin shaken for about a minute with ice, strained, and topped with a couple olives. Dripping Springs gin is my current favorite.

That's not a martini.

powerbelly said:

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Dry - swirl vermouth in glass and dump it out

Stirred

Up

One olive

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Well this thread ended up costing me a good chunk of money. Never had a martini before but right now it is my preferred drink. 4 oz gin (Bombay sapphire is what I've been drinking but currently drinking beefeater and it's good) 1 oz vermouth (martini and Rossi for now just bought some verssi which is fine but my specs has very limited selection also). Some days I like 3:2 better but usually 4:1 is the sweet spot. Think I prefer stirred slightly over shaken but it's splitting hairs. Now to go deep into the world of gin. My specs didn't gave fords. Which other ones should I try?

Check out Plymouth or Plymouth Navy Strength.

I'm a 4:1 guy too and I really like Hendricks of late. Give it a shot. Before that I was pretty much only Bombay sapphire. I like that Hendricks is a bit smoother and not has heavy on the juniper.

Got some Plymouth today. It's really smooth

Hendricks.

Ford's Officer Reserve martini

Had Hendricks af a bar last night. It was really good too.

On a side note a dirty martini is the worst thing I've ever had. I tried one at home the other day with the slightest splash and it was drinkable but not good. Bar tender last night made the first one extra dirty without asking and I had to send it back. I like the olives just fine but the juice is too much.

Try skipping the olive altogether. Ordering a martini "with a twist" will get you a twist of lemon peal instead. MUCH better drink IMO.

If people have to drink a really dirty martini they are better off just admitting they don't actually like martinis. I say the same for people that completely skip any vermouth at all.

I like a lemon twist when it's hotter outside. Seems more refreshing. Sometimes a pearl onion or two is good as well.

Current ranking so far

1A: sapphire
1B: Plymouth
2: beefeater
3: Hendricks (big gap here between 2:3)
4: lone star

Hendricks is ok but was too mild for me, same with the lone star. Just tried the LS on a whim. Need to find a place with Fords

Bumping.

Curious about olive recommendations.

For the olive juice, just from the olive jar?

With tonic and a lot of lime.

planoaggie123 said:

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Bumping.

Curious about olive recommendations.

For the olive juice, just from the olive jar?

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i use the garlic stuffed olives, but you don't want to use the juice from that jar for obvious reasons....same with blue cheese stuffed olives......

i use the following for the juice......it's outstanding and goes a long way.......

Kirkland Gin is always my go to with about 4:1 gin to vermouth. If I dont have an actual lemon for a twist I will throw a few drops of lemon juice in the glass and swirl it around and toss it before pouring.