Wet - Dry - Or In The Middle
- jeffholson
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Oregon Man Martini Variations
There are few drinks that carry the authority of a well-made martini. No garnish can hide it, no sugar can soften it, just spirit, super chilled, and consume.
In this post, we’ll explore the subtle differences that define the martini: gin versus vodka and preferences between the ice-forward “skate” style that chills your drink without watering it down or stirred over ice and served cold.
At its core, the classic martini is simple—gin and dry vermouth, But within that simplicity lives a world of variation. Gin brings botanicals, complexity, and a certain old-world character. Vodka, on the other hand, offers a cleaner, smoother profile—less personality perhaps, but more precision. Choosing between the two isn’t about right or wrong, it’s about mood.
Then there’s the matter of dilution. A proper martini isn’t just cold, it’s controlled. Stirring over ice introduces just enough water to open the spirit without dulling it. But for those who prefer their martini even colder, there’s the “skate” method—shaking the drink in a rhythmic motion over ice to chill it rapidly while minimizing dilution. The result is a sharper, colder pour.
Garnish? That’s another fork in the road. A lemon twist expresses citrus oils across the surface—bright and aromatic. An olive leans savory providing the drink with a subtle brine. Either way, the garnish should complement, not distract.
And of course, the martini carries with it a legacy of those who drank it best:
Winston Churchill was said to prefer his martini with nothing more than a nod toward the vermouth bottle—favoring an almost pure gin pour.
Frank Sinatra kept it classic: gin, a touch of vermouth. He would order a martini with 3 olives: “two for himself and one for the dame next to him.
Even Ernest Hemingway had his own take, favoring strength and simplicity in nearly everything he consumed. While better known for daiquiris, his sentiment fits the martini crowd just fine: “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”
Dorothy Parker: Known for her wit, she famously quipped: "I like to have a martini, two at the very most. After three I'm under the table, after four I'm under my host".
James Thurber: An American cartoonist, writer, humorist, journalist, and playwright. “One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough.”
James Bond: "A vodka dry martini — shaken and not stirred, please."
The Oregon Man: A good martini invites conversation with friends and family but a great one leaves just enough room for night worth remembering.
The Basics
Before you start debating gin versus vodka or twist versus olive, it’s worth understanding the foundation of the martini itself. The real difference between most martinis comes down to one thing, how much vermouth you allow into the glass. It’s a small adjustment, but it changes everything - done well, it’s elegant. done poorly, it’s very forgettable.
Here are the Martini recipe variations so you can shake one at home tonight. One variation is not mentioned – “The Vesper” this variation deserves its own post!
Classic “Wet” Martini
Essence: Clean, Cold, And Precise — The Classic Martini In Its Purest Form
Ingredients:
2 oz’s Dry Gin or Vodka
1.5 oz Dry Vermouth 2 dashes of Orange Bitters (classic but optional)
Glassware: Frozen Martini glass
Garnish: 3 Olives
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 30 - 40 seconds until you create ice crystals when draining into your martini glass.
Music Pairing: Frank Sinatra – “Fly Me To The Moon”
Classic Medium-Dry Martini
Essence: The botanicals from the gin and the aromatics from the vermouth meet in the middle and settle into something more complete, less sharp, more composed. It’s the martini you order when you’re not in a hurry. When you intend to taste it
Ingredients:
2 oz Gin (London Dry) or Vodka
1 oz Dry Vermouth
Garnish: Lemon twist or olives
Glassware: Frozen Martini glass
Instructions: Mix all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 30 - 40 seconds until you create ice crystals when draining into your martini glass.
Music Pairing: Frank Sinatra – “The Way You Look Tonight”
The Todd Martini (Extra Dry)
Essence: Clean, Cold and Simple
Ingredients:
3 oz’s Vodka
Ice Rinse 1 oz Dry Vermouth
Glassware: Frozen Martini glass
Garnish: 3 Large Olives (one for Stacey)
Instructions: Add 1 oz of Vermouth to your shaker and shake for 15 seconds then drain. Add Vodka to the Vermouth coated ice and shake for 20-30 seconds until you create ice crystals when draining into your martini glass.
Music Pairing: Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight
The Oregon Man’s Note: A nod to Food Network's Alton Brown’s original recipe, perfected by Todd Mickey during his famous “Martini Fridays.” Generous pours, hearty laughs, and a Martini served to the rim—just don’t forget to hydrate before the first toast.