There’s No Wrong Way to Enjoy a Martini

While the martini is perhaps the world’s most stylish cocktail, conjuring up images of James Bond ordering his signature refreshment, it’s also one of the most generous. This simple yet versatile drink (typically a mix of vermouth and vodka or gin) can accommodate a wide range of tastes: dirty, dry, with an olive or a twist, shaken or stirred—the riffs go on.

Throughout cocktail history, bartenders have taken advantage of the martini’s range by adapting the recipe. Swap an olive for an onion and you have a Gibson. Pour Lillet or Cocci Americano instead of vermouth and it’s a Vesper.

There’s the possibility of infusing your spirit of choice with various ingredients, like sesame and Sichuan peppercorns, for an unexpected flavor. And then there are the various imposters, like the appletini, that have little to do with the original but get the name thanks to their presentation in the classic cocktail’s namesake glass.

We appreciate all of the above. So, the next time you want to fill up your martini glass, switch up your routine with one of these recipes, which range from classic formulas to more adventurous experiments that may make purists scoff.

The Classic Gin Martini

This recipe for a classic gin martini, mixed with gin and Vermouth, is simple to prepare and will give you an excellent baseline to understand the many variations on the drink.

The Vodka Martini

Purists may insist on gin in their martinis, but a vodka martini is satisfying for different reasons. We recommend mixing this with a more aromatic vermouth since its flavor profiles will be more pronounced here.

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The Dirty Martini

With a deep umami kick from a heavy-handed splash of salty olive brine, the dirty martini has earned its honored spot in the cocktail canon for good reason.

The Vesper

Mixed with gin and vodka with a splash of Lillet, the Vesper is for martini sippers who don’t want to choose a single base spirit.

The Alaska

First published in a recipe book in 1913, the Alaska derives its botanical notes from gin, Chartreuse and orange bitters.

The Martina a.k.a. The Mezcal Dirty Martini

For fans of smoky flavors, the Martina—composed of mezcal, the agave spirit raicilla, onion brine and two kinds of bitters—is sure to satisfy.

The French Martini

Cocktails from the 1980s and 1990s, known for their maximalist flavors, are having a moment. Despite its name, the French martini actually originated in New York City, where Bartender Dale de Groff mixed up vodka, pineapple juice and Chambord for Keith McNally’s bar Pravda.

The Sesame Martini

As cocktail fans crave a wider array of flavors in their drinks—our spirits reviewer Kara Newman cited this as a trend to watch for in 2025—sesame is emerging as a top ingredient in bars from San Diego to Paris and Vancouver. The sesame martini uses infused shochu and a bit of Chartreuse to create its nuanced, rich flavor.

The Appletini

While the word appletini might bring flashbacks to bright-green, Jolly Rancher–flavored drinks, this recipe is much more refined and subtle, made with Calvados, an apple brandy, and elderflower liqueur.

The Mexican Martini

A mix of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and olive brine, a good Mexican martini bounces between tart, sweet, savory, boozy and briny without ever landing on any one flavor profile.

The Lychee Martini

Put on your Calvin Kleins, play some Madonna and mix up this less-sweet homage to the 1990s classic, the lychee martini.

The Tomatini

Tomato girl summer has made its way into cocktail form with this savory (and slightly salad-like) Tomatini.

The 50-50 Martini

Martinis, surprisingly, can be batched. Try this simple 50-50 martini recipe—essentially equal parts gin and vermouth—to make the drink easy to pour for a crowd all night long.

The Pickle Martini

No, this isn’t a Portlandia joke. A pickle martini is indeed a thing. After all, olive brine is a standard ingredient. Why not indulge in a little kitsch with this drink, which also features Aquavit.

The Espresso Martini

Remarkably, the espresso martini is still on trend. In this recipe, we mix one with real espresso and coffee liqueur for more flavor.

The Parmesan Espresso Martini

After the parmesan espresso martini went viral on TikTok, our curiosity got to us: can the umami of parmesan cheese enhance a coffee-based drink? The answer is yes.

The Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

The Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini offers all the comforts of your favorite autumnal beverage—with a boozy kick.

The Eggnog Espresso Martini

The spiced, creamy holiday beverage is only made better with a splash of coffee in this NA riff on an eggnog espresso martini.

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The Marseillan Martini

An homage to the French seaside town of Marseille, the Marseillan Martini features lemon, thyme and—surprisingly—an oyster.

The Porn Star Martini

The Porn Star Martini’s name may have made you look, but the drink is no gimmick, with layers of fruit flavor and vanilla vodka.

The Fox Hunter Martini

Martini purists might scoff at the Fox Hunter—which is composed of bourbon, vermouth and vintage Port and finished with a Luxardo cherry—but its depth of flavors may quickly convert them (or not).