How to Make a Martini Straight Up

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A classic martini made with gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine, then garnished with an olive.

Glass: Chilled martini glass

Ingredients:

- 2 1/2 ounces gin or vodka

- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth

- 1 barspoon olive brine

- 1 olive, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill a martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.

2. Add the gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine to a mixing glass filled with ice.

3. Stir for about 30 seconds, or until the mixture is well chilled.

4. Strain into the chilled martini glass.

5. Garnish with an olive.

Tips:

- For a dirty martini, add an extra barspoon of olive brine.

- For a sweeter martini, add an extra 1/4-1/2 ounce of dry vermouth.

- For a drier martini, reduce the amount of dry vermouth to taste.

- Garnish with a twist of lemon instead of an olive, for a Lemon Drop Martini.