Some Like it Dirty: Strike’s Martini Guide

Welcome to adulthood! Along with the crippling stress, accumulating bills, and working 9-5 comes the beauty of being able to relax with a drink. 

But I don’t mean your Twisted Tea or vodka soda. It’s time to wear your big girl panties and face your fears of “fancy” cocktails. I'm talking about Martinis. 

Martinis are, well, sort of ambiguous. They shouldn’t be, because they are simple and follow a simple recipe. There are a lot of fancy words used to order a martini properly, but once you know what they mean, you’ll get the hang of it. Read on for Strike’s guide to martinis and four unique spins on martinis to order the next time you attend a happy hour. 

The Elements: 

The alcohol: Martinis are made with either gin or vodka. Traditionally, martinis were made using gin, but today, most bartenders will assume you want vodka. Still, you must specify, especially if you like a particular liquor brand. Vermouth is also traditionally added. 

“Dirty”: You’ve probably heard this a lot. The middle-aged woman at the bar and her friends beside you get a kick out of ordering a “filthy” martini. All it means is that the martini be prepared with olive juice. If you don’t want olive juice, don’t say dirty. 

“Up”: Ordering a martini “up” means you would like the drink shaken over ice but strained into a glass so there's no ice in your cup. 

“On the Rocks”: Ordering a drink “on the rocks” means you want it served over ice. 

Bonus: “Dirty rocks”: You can order a martini “up” but with the “dirty rocks” on the side. This means your bartender will shake the cocktail, strain it into your glass, and then give you the ice they used to shake it in a separate cup. 

“Wet” and “Dry”: These refer to the ratio of vermouth in your martini. Ordering a martini “wet” means you would like more vermouth, dialing down the taste of liquor. “Dry” means you want very little vermouth, allowing the flavor profile of the liquor to show. 

“Twist”: A twist is the peel of a citrus, traditionally lemon. It is just the rind, no pulp, twisted and placed around the edge or floating on top of the cocktail. 

Bonus “Neat”: This is how you should NOT order a martini. Neat means straight out of the bottle. Room temperature liquor, not shaken, not on the rocks, nada. 

The Cosmopolitan: 

Often referred to as “a cosmo,” this is Carrie Bradshaw's favorite drink. Made with vodka, triple sec (orange liqueur), cranberry juice, and lime juice, this drink packs a punch. It is a pretty pink color (if it's red, send it back), so they're not only fun to drink but fun to look at. 

The Pornstar: 

The Pornstar martini is one of the most underrated drinks you can try. This fruity martini is made with vanilla vodka, passionfruit liqueur, lime juice, and passionfruit syrup. Then it's all topped off with a prosecco floater. Chefs kiss. 

(El Camino in South Florida has a drink called the “Pornstar in Jalisco.” It’s a pornstar martini, made with tequila, and it's delicious.) 

Grapefruit Martini: 

Simple yet effective, tastier than just vodka and vermouth, and probably something most bars can make. It’s made up of vodka, grapefruit juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice. The key is making sure the grapefruit is Ruby Red. 

Lemon Drop Martini: 

While you may be familiar with this one in its shot version, it’s just as good as its bigger sister martini version. Made with vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange liqueur, all topped off with a sugar rim, it’s just the right amount of sour and sweet. 

So next time you’re out for a happy hour or on a date with the next finance bro, try ordering one of these drinks or a regular martini like a pro. 

Strike Out, 

Haley Dockendorff 

Boca Raton

Haley Dockendorff is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Loud and proud, this Virgo loves writing just about anything that will cause a bit of commotion. If you can’t find her, she’s probably somewhere on a beach with a camera in hand.

You can reach her at haleydockendorff143@gmail.com