The martini is simple. Gin or vodka is where the opinions start.
Olive or twist. A rinse of vermouth or a hard pass. Ask five people how they take their martini and you’ll get five confident answers.
At its core, a martini is a base spirit and dry vermouth. A dry martini uses a little vermouth. An extra-dry martini uses… less. Sometimes a lot less. Some martinis flirt with vermouth. Extra-dry martinis keep their distance. How far you take it is entirely up to you.
Gin fans love the botanicals. Juniper, citrus peel, herbs, complexity in every sip. Vodka drinkers prefer a cleaner, quieter pour that lets the chill and the garnish do the talking. Lemon twists add brightness. Olives bring the savory drama. Every choice says something.
The martini doesn’t need flair to make a point. It shows up cold, confident, and unapologetically classic. Extra-dry or slightly wet, gin or vodka, however you take yours. Stop by your local Greensboro ABC store and stock up on your martini essentials. Vermouth optional, opinions encouraged.