To order a martini, you must use the correct terms and understand what they mean. Read this article to find out more.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Know What You Choose
Step 1. Understand the basics of a martini
A standard martini is made of gin and vermouth then garnished with olives.
- If you don't mention the amount of gin or vermouth, the martini ordered will contain one part dry vermouth and four to five parts gin.
- Gin is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented cereals that is flavored with juniper or conifers.
- Vermouth is a fortified wine that is flavored by adding various spices.
Step 2. Ask for vodka instead of gin
While classic martinis are generally made with gin, the current trend is to use vodka. You have to ask for this from the very beginning you order.
- Vodka is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented wheat. There is also vodka made from fermented fruits and sugar, but this type of vodka is rarely used in martinis.
- The old bars always used gin, but in some of the newer bars, the bartender might use vodka. To be on the safe side, ask for what you want before ordering a martini.
Step 3. Choose your drink brand
Basically, you'll be given the cheapest brand of gin or vodka. If you want a specific brand, you must request it in your martini order.
- If you don't have a brand of your choice and are unfamiliar with the brands on the market, ask the bartender what brands are available at the bar. If you want to look cool, you can pick a brand at random and pretend you know all about it, or ask the bartender what brand she recommends.
- If you want a specific brand, you only need to mention the brand of the drink and not the type of drink. For example, you order “Beefeater” instead of “Gin Beefeater” or “Beefeater Gin.” Likewise when you order "Absolute", not "Vodka Vox" or "Vox Vodka".
Step 4. Change the content, preparation, and appearance of your martini
There are many ways you can change your martini, for example by changing the ratio of gin to vermouth, how the cocktail is made, and the accompaniment of the martini when served.
- It's not enough to know what the options are, learn the terminology to order your martini classy and seasoned.
- If you're only ordering "a glass of martini," some bartenders will ask how your martini will be made using certain terms. This means that even if you only want the most basic and plain of martinis, you should know the related terms.
Part 2 of 3: Learn the Terms
Step 1. Order your martini wet, dry, or extra dry
This term relates to the ratio of gin or vodka to vermouth. If you don't specify, you'll be served a standard ratio martini.
- A wet martini is a glass of martini with extra vermouth.
- A dry martini is a glass of martini with less vermouth.
- Extra dry martini means that it contains only remnants of vermouth. The bartender will smear the vermouth on the inside of the glass without pouring it into the glass.
Step 2. Order a dirty martini
Dirty martini is a martini mixed with olive juice.
The taste of the olive juice is quite strong, so the martini will look cloudy as a result of mixing
Step 3. Try ordering a martini with a twist or ask for a glass of Gibson
Generally, martinis are served with olives. You can replace the complement using these terms.
- Order your martini with a "twist" if you want the lemon zest instead of the olives as a accompaniment.
- If you want your martini with pickled onions as a accompaniment, the drink's name changes from “martini” to “Gibson”. In other words, you'd be ordering a Gibson, not a martini with Gibson, or a martini with onions.
Step 4. You can order a clean martini
A glass of “clean” martini means a martini that does not use any accompaniments.
In other words, if you want an extra accompaniment-extra olives, for example-you can ask for it. With a note asking for extra olives or complements does not have a special term
Step 5. On the rocks, neat, or straight up
These options will determine whether or not your martini has ice added.
- In bar terms, ordering a drink "on the rocks" means ordering it with ice cubes added. The drink will stay cold, but will thin out.
- If you order a “neat” martini, you are ordering a drink that is poured straight into the glass without any ice cubes. As a result, the drink will be at room temperature and will not dilute.
- Ordering a martini "up" or "straight up" means asking your gin or vodka to be cooled first with ice, usually by stirring it with ice in a shaker, then pouring it into a glass without ice cubes. This type is the most balanced, as your drink will be cold, but won't be diluted with melted ice.
Step 6. You can ask for sweet or perfect
Vermouth dry is usually the type to use, but if you prefer something sweeter, there are two options you can use.
- Ask for your martini "sweet" if you want the bartender to use sweet vermouth instead of dry.
- A “perfect” martini will use dry vermouth and sweet vermouth in equal ratios so the flavors are balanced.
Step 7. Order your martini naked, shaken, or stirred
The choice you make will determine how the gin or vodka will mix with the vermouth in your drink.
- A stirred martini is the most traditional way to make a glass of martini, and most high-end bars use this method. The drink will be mixed in the glass with a special stirrer. This method produces a clean martini, and, as most martini drinkers say, a very soft texture because the stirring doesn't spoil the texture of the gin.
- Shake martinis are mixed in a special cocktail shaker, then shaken. This method is commonly used when ordering a dirty martini, but the downside is that it spoils the texture of your drink and makes it cloudy.
- A “naked” martini is a martini in which all the ingredients have been pre-cooled in the refrigerator. The drink will be poured directly into a chilled cocktail glass and served unmixed.
Part 3 of 3: Inside the Bar
Step 1. Know what you want before visiting the bar
Good etiquette in a full bar is to know what you want before visiting it. A good bar won't rush you, but still, it's best to know what you want before speaking to the bartender.
- An exception, if you ask about the existing brand of gin or vodka.
- Also keep in mind that if the bar isn't very busy, you can take your time to order, especially if there's no one waiting in line to order drinks.
Step 2. Get the barman's attention
Use firm but polite words. The best way to get his attention is to stand in a visible place. Make eye contact and smile. This should be enough to get a good barmaid to come to serve you.
- When ordering for someone else, make sure you know what that person wants before visiting the bar. Don't back down and ask about the order when the barman has already questioned you. What's more if you order for someone other than you, make sure you have enough money.
- Never get the barman's attention by waving your money, snapping your finger, or yelling.
Step 3. Order your drinks properly
Once you've got the barmaid's attention, it's time to tell him what you want. Use the terms you've learned to order your martini. Decide on gin or vodka, how much vermouth you'd like, tell if you want ice in it, name your accompaniments, and end with how the bartender mixes your martini.
- For example, order a martini with Beefeater, extra dry, and with a twist, straight up if you want your martini made from Beefeater brand gin and with very little vermouth. Your martini will be served with the lemon zest, and the gin will be cooled before pouring it into the cocktail glass.
- As another example, order a dirty martini with vodka, wet and shaken if you want your martini to be made from the cheapest vodka available at the bar, extra vermouth and olive juice. The martini will be served with olives, and will be mixed with ice using a cocktail shaker
Warning
- Drink responsibly. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities while under the influence of alcohol.
- It is forbidden to drink alcohol for minors. In Indonesia, the legal age is 21.
