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Dry Martini 'Preferred' (5:1 ratio)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (405)
Dry Martini 'Preferred' (5:1 ratio) image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 1⁄2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin (from freezer)
1⁄2 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth (chilled)
1 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura (optional)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Bobo Drajja

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a MARTINI GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of skewered chilled green olive &/or lemon zest twist (or served Dicken's-style without a garnish).

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest &/or garnish with chilled olive (or serve Dicken's-style).

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Dry Martini 'Preferred' (5:1 ratio) contains 183 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.9 standard drinks
  • 29.37% alc./vol. (58.74° proof)
  • 26.6 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

See the History and Evolution of the Dry Martini.

Review

This is my go-to Dry Martini. I chose a 5:1 ratio as our 'preferred' Dry Martini specification in deference to David Embury who writes of this cocktail in his The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, "After extensive experimentation I have arrived at the ratio of 5 to 1 as the proportion most pleasing to the average palate. Personally I like a ratio of about 7 to 1 even better, and I know some who prefer a ratio as high as 10 to 1."

Cocktail of the day:

22nd May 2026 is National Craft Distillery Day

Variations/similar cocktails

Other Dry Martini ratios, from 1:1 to 15:1 parts gin to vermouth.

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$3.44 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 10 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Florian Ruf Premium Member
Excellent ratio which makes a delicious cocktail, I used Haymans and Noilly Prat. I am really not a martini fanatic or specialist. But if you are and have the chance to, go to Atlas bar in Singapore and try their Atlas Martini. Besides the setting I can recommend also the rest of the cocktail menu 😏.
score: 1
Sally Morgan Premium Member
I'm late to the martini party, but was looking for a mix that really showcased a classic martini. This did not disappoint - worth splashing out on some excellent gin and channelling your inner (or outer) Noel Coward. He would thoroughly approve.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Not too bad. I think a more assertive vermouth (so not something traditional like Dolin) is preferable here.
score: 1
Dave D. Premium Member
I’m 9/10 times a 5:1 guy…..always fits nicely into my vintage cocktail glasses and stay chilled!
Doing a vesper I end up 4.5 ozs. And shake the heck out of it and then fill my larger martini glasses!
score: 1
[removed]
Comment removed
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Sorry J B, I don't understand your question. Please can you elaborate?
score: 0
Paul Belczowski
I've shared my thoughts here before, and I still love this recipe. However, I've recently found my go-to dry martini combo that I can't get enough of:

60 ml London Dry Gin (currently using Tanqueray for its versatility)
15 ml Dolin Dry Vermouth
4 green olives on a skewer
I let a few drops of olive juice fall into the glass from the spoon while garnishing. To me, this makes an immaculate martini. I highly recommend trying this 4:1 ratio. Enjoy!
score: 6
John CARR Premium Member
Have you tried 4.5:1 ? I find it works very well and balanced the ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ qualities very well. Simon’s suggestion of one dash orange bitters also adds an extra dimension. Bitter truth bitters tend to be more nuanced here where there’s so few ingredients to horses amongst.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
Hide
score: 1
Peter Shaw Premium Member
Dear Paul - have you also tried splitting your gin? I like a 50:50 of Plymouth and Tanq Ten.
score: 1
Paul Belczowski
Oh sounds good I’ll definitely try a mix on my next martini
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
This is a very nice martini. Can taste both the gin botanicals and the vermouth (I love vermouth), and the dash of bitters adds a brilliant kick. Lemon twist for me. Happy World martini day everyone!
score: 1
Nicholas Finlay
Beautiful Martini glass - anyone know where to buy?
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
It was an Urban Bar glass, but sadly, it's no longer made.
score: 3
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I prefer a 3:1 Martini w/ Regan's No 6... I made this one off of the Montgomery's 15:1 Martini off here, which I thought tasted like tainted gin, which wasn't overall bad, but required more... Dumped the diluted leftovers into a coupe and added the required measure of Noilly Prat dry to get this to the above specs and, oh my, was it nice. Not that I can easily reproduce the diluted balance. But this blend begged for olive brine... This be my Dirty Martini template going forward.
score: 4
Steven Cook
Probably the ideal ratio of gin to vermouth, 3 olives on a cocktail stick gives a lot of extra flavour without it really becoming dirty.
score: 2

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.44 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 10 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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