First up, vodka. Please, for the love of all things delicious, don’t use the stuff that tastes like rubbing alcohol. Get a mid-range or top-shelf vodka that you’d actually drink straight—like Grey Goose, Tito’s, or Belvedere. Your taste buds will thank you.
Next, dry vermouth. This is the wine-like stuff that adds a whisper of herbal magic. You only need a tiny bit, so don’t be scared. And ice—lots of it, because cold is your best friend. Finally, a martini glass (the one that looks like a tiny upside-down umbrella) and a shaker or a big jar with a lid.
Oh, and garnish! Classic is either a lemon twist or olives. If you pick olives, you’re a traditionalist. If you pick a twist, you’re fancy. If you pick both, you’re an overachiever. No judgment here.
