Traditional Martini

Instructions

1. First inspect your martini glass for cleanliness
2. Then, fill the glass with ice and water.
3. Next grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice and the appropriate alcohol. Shake the alcohol to properly chill it. (No more than 30 seconds, as the alcohol will dilute in the ice and lose its integrity.) Use lots of flair! Make your martinis memorable even if it is just Friday evening at home.
4. Then dump out the water and ice from the glass.
5. Next pour dry vermouth around the top edge of the glass, holding your finger over the air spout. (This controls the pour.)
6. Then swirl the glass to make sure the vermouth has fully coated the inner surface of the glass.
7. Next dump the vermouth into the sink, and strain in the chilled liquor.
8. Finally, add the olive (or if they are small, several). I think it is always best to spear the olives with a cocktail pick of some sort, otherwise you will find your guests unseemly digging their fingers into their martini in order to retrieve the delectable olive. If you want a dirty martini add some olive juice.