Though the classic Martini recipe is a simple one—only two ingredients in its most austere form—it has inspired more debate than any other over the proper ingredients (gin or vodka?), ratio (wet or dry?) and garnish (olive or a twist?). More than a century’s worth of fine-tuning has resulted in a deep library of both classic and modern iterations that run the full gamut of both style and flavor. Some, such as the Alberto with its minimalist equal-parts build, value simplicity, while others, like Christine Wiseman’s Trash-Tini, take a kitchen-sink approach. Some veer floral and aromatic, as the Gin Blossom does, while others are unabashedly savory—MSG Martini, anyone? Here, our favorite takes on the timeless template.
Lifetime Ban
A reverse Martini with a splash of sherry.
MSG Martini
A twist on a classic dirty Martini.
Fitty-Fitty Martini
Audrey Saunders' fashionably wet variation.
The Bar’s House Martini
For the revamp of New York's iconic Four Seasons bar, Thomas Waugh developed this house Martini, which is pre-batched and pre-chilled.
Ci Siamo Martini
A blend of two types of gin, two types of vermouth and two dashes of orange bitters.
Sauvage Martini
An unusual, but elegant Martini.
Sakura Martini
Bar Goto's house Martini with salted cherry blossom
Bobby Heugel’s Freezer Martini
An archetypal London dry–style Martini.
Dukes Martini
Murderously dry and cold and cherished by some as the definitive expression of the Martini.
The F.A.F. Martini
The star of this Martini is a “barrel-rested” small-batch gin.
Allies Cocktail
A 50/50 Martini dressed up with several dashes of savory-spicy Kümmel.
Gin Blossom
Julie Reiner's aromatic play on the Martini with apricot eau de vie, bianco vermouth and gin.
Beefsteak Martini
Phil Ward's take on the Steakhouse Martini calls on both dry and bianco vermouth to complement the traditional gin base.
Jelani Johnson’s Vesper
A vodka-forward rendition of James Bond's Martini of choice.
Trash-Tini
This kitchen-sink Martini variation features gin, vodka and charred onion-infused dry vermouth.
Jim Kearns’ Alaska
A Martini-style drink with less bite and a little more roundness.
Flame of Love
Pepe Ruiz's spin adds flamboyant flair by expressing orange oil through a match flame for a dramatic finish.
The Goldfish
A traditional Martini perked up with the addition of Goldwasser.
Eric Alperin’s Tuxedo No. 2
Eric Alperin's take on the 20th century classic.