The martini is a sophisticated classic. Here are some martini recipe variations you may want to try.
* If you love Lemon Drop candies, you'll love the martini's take on it. Take a lemon wedge, some ice cubes, one and a half ounces of lemon-flavored Vodka (for example, Absolut Citron) and a teaspoon of sugar and shake. Strain into a martini glass that has been sugared on the rim and add another wedge of lemon.
* Fruit-flavored martinis are terrific. If you want to try an Apple Martini, take one and a half ounces of your favorite vodka and shake with one and a half ounces of an apple liqueur and strain into a martini glass that has been slightly salted.
* The ladies of "Sex in the City" made the Cosmopolitan Martini fabulously famous. Take half an ounce of Cointreau, the juice of half a lime, one ounce of your favorite vodka and a little splash of cranberry juice and shake with ice. Strain into a martini glass.
* If you want James Bonds' drink of choice, make a Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred. Take one and a half ounces of your favorite vodka and shake with three-quarters of an ounce of vermouth and some ice. Strain this into a martini glass and add an olive or two. The British accent is optional.
* The Gibson Martini is a classic. Take one and a half ounces of gin and three quarters of an ounce of vermouth and stir with some ice cubes in a glass. Strain this mixture into a martini glass and throw in a couple of cocktail onions.
* For another colorful martini, try a Blue Martini. Shake one and a half ounces of gin, three-quarters of an ounce of Blue Curacao and some ice and strain into a glass.
* If you want something a little more upscale, try a Martini Royale. Put one and a half ounces of gin or vodka that has been chilled into a martini glass that has also been chilled. Fill the rest of the glass with chilled champagne and serve.
* A Golden Martini is made by stirring two ounces of golden gin with half an ounce of vermouth and some ice. Strain this into a glass and serve with olives.
* If you love salty drinks, try a Dirty Martini. Shake together two ounces of gin, a tablespoon of vermouth, two tablespoons of olive juice (just take it straight from the jar) and some ice. Strain this mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with olives.
* Most Tex-Mex restaurants will have their own version of a martini called a Mexican Martini. Naturally, there will be tequila in it. Take one and a half ounces of tequila and shake with three quarters of an ounce of vermouth. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with olives, or for a more Mexican flair, slices of jalapeno.
