The Great Martini Revival: 3 Creative Variations on the Timeless Drink
Dry or dirty, vodka or gin, olives or a lemon twist – however you take it, the martini is as classic as cocktails come. So classic, in fact, it’s almost surprising how young it really is. The drink only dates back to the early 20th century, hitting its stride in the Roaring Twenties as the go-to order for flappers and jazz-bar regulars.
From Jay Gatsby’s glittering soirées to James Bond’s famously “shaken, not stirred” Vesper (made with gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc), the martini has been immortalized in pop culture again and again. Yet in today’s crowded cocktail scene, it hasn’t always carried the same cultural cachet it once did.
That may be changing. Tastemakers and mixologists are spearheading a martini revival – and it’s not hard to see why. With just a few ingredients and no special equipment, it’s one of the simplest cocktails to master, yet it delivers serious sophistication in a glass.
It’s also endlessly adaptable. Classic variations abound: dry (less vermouth), wet (more vermouth), dirty (a splash of olive brine). A “perfect” martini balances equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, while a Gibson swaps the olive for a cocktail onion. However you shake or stir it, every martini rests on three essentials: gin or vodka, vermouth, and a garnish.
The golden rules? Chill everything – liquor, vermouth, and glassware – for at least an hour beforehand. Strain well if shaken to avoid stray ice chips, and never skimp on the garnish. Think plump olives, tangy cocktail onions, and bright lemon twists, skipping anything waxy or tired.
With the martini back in the spotlight, now’s the time to experiment. Here are a few inventive recipes to try – and some equally unconventional glasses from BOMSHBEE to serve them in style.
3 Martini Variations Worth Shaking Up at Home
Pink Gin Martini
For a classic with a rosy twist
Contrary to the name, you don’t actually need a bottle of blush-hued gin (though no one’s complaining if you do) to make this beauty. Historically, this mid-19th-century drink combined gin with a dash of Angostura bitters, which lends a subtle pink tint. The result is light, elegant, and just a little flirtatious.
Recipe: Shake 2 oz gin with ½ oz dry vermouth and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist. Or, for a little extra pink flair, a grapefruit rind.
Serve it in… BOMSHBEE’s Ritz Cocktail Glass, which feels every bit as grand as the cocktail itself. Crafted from crystalline glass that catches the light beautifully, it has an elegant stem and just the right silhouette in hand.
Lillet Blanc Martini
For a light, floral aperitif
Most know Lillet Blanc from Bond’s Vesper, but it deserves a starring role of its own. Here, it takes the place of vermouth, lending soft floral notes and a hint of citrus brightness with a splash of orange juice. Light, aromatic, and effortlessly smooth, it’s an elegant aperitif that goes down easy.
Recipe: Shake 2 oz gin or vodka with 1½ oz Lillet Blanc and ¼ oz fresh orange juice over ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Serve it in… The Ritz Coupe Glass, an elegant profile glass with clean lines. It’s coupe shape is wider than a classic martini glass and timeless enough to match this timeless drink.
Dill Pickle Martini
For the brine lovers out there
The dirty martini gets a cheeky upgrade with dill pickle brine standing in for olive juice. Briny, herbaceous, and unapologetically bold, it’s a martini that plays on nostalgia while adding a zesty, unexpected twist. Equal parts quirky and craveable – and yes, dillicious.
Recipe: Shake 2 oz vodka, ¾ oz dry vermouth, and ¼ oz dill pickle brine with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a baby dill spear.
Serve it in… The Angle Taper DOF, with its angled lip, it nods to the elegance of a martini glass, while the minimalist lines keep the look fresh and modern.
Of course, the best cocktails need gorgeous glassware to match. Upgrade your home bar experience with BOMSHBEE’s impeccably designed modern drinkware.