"Just a drink. A martini. Shaken, and not stirred."
This famous quote from James Bond in the 1964 movie Goldfinger propelled this already popular drink into celebrity status. The martini has been arguably the most popular mixed drink for over a century, with notes of the drink in writings of the 1860's. At one time the martini could be thought of as a drink for the upper class, but in recent years this drink has become a routine staple for homes and bars across the world.

There are a variety of ways to make a martini. For the base ingredient you can use virtually any distilled beverage. While gin has been the "standard" for martinis, vodka martinis are very popular. When putting together recipes for a martini you can also start with distilled beverages such as tequila, sake, bourbon, rum, or many other choices.

Thanks to the popularity of this novel and movie character, the James Bond recipes for a martini is what some people might consider "the original" martini:
James Bond Martini
• 3 oz gin or
• 3 oz vodka
• 1 oz dry vermouth
Pour the gin or vodka, and vermouth into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive.
Recipes for a martini are plentiful to find. You can also try some of these interesting variations:
Curry Martini
• red and green chili
• lemongrass
• shallots
• coriander
• ginger
• garlic
• 1 oz honey vodka
• 1/2 oz ginger liqueur
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• dash of simple syrup
Mash the chili, lemongrass, shallots, coriander, ginger and garlic into the bottom of a Boston glass.

Add the honey vodka, ginger liqueur, and pineapple juice. Add ice and mix well then add the simple syrup. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with onion and coriander for added spiciness.

Blow-Pop Martini
• 3 oz frozen lemonade, thawed and strained well
• 1 oz water
• 1 1/2 oz bubble gum flavored vodka
• 4 tbsp of sour apple, watermelon, or berry sour liqueur
• lollipops for garnish
Mix lemonade, water, vodka, and liqueur in a shaker with ice. Pour into chilled martini glass and garnish with a lollipop.

Leap Year Martini
• 2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz Grand Marnier or triple sec
• 1/4 oz lemon juice
Combine ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour into a festive martini glass and garnish with lemon.

Champagne Martini
• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• champagne
Into a champagne flute pour the vodka. Add champagne to fill the glass. Garnish with your choice of berries.

Naked Martini
• gin
• cocktail olives
Chill the gin for at least 2 hours before preparation. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with as many olives as you like.

Whenever you hear the term "dry martini" that refers to adding the dry vermouth to the drink. Some people enjoy a dry martini, while others prefer their drink to be "wet." In either case martinis are a terrific social drink, and can help to start a lively conversation at any social gathering. Enjoy your martinis responsibly!

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