Assembling the recipe:

Chill a Martini glass in the freezer.

Place the ice and the vermouth in a mixing glass. Stir the contents for 6 to 10 seconds, mixing well and discard the liquid through a cocktail strainer keeping the ice.

Pour in the vodka of your choice and mix well again for another 6-8 seconds and strain into a chilled Martini glass using a cocktail strainer.

Add the olive to the drink - or take a bit of lemon peel and lightly squeeze it over the glass to release the oils into the drink and add it to the drink.

Notes:

Martini's are in the strongest league of the cocktails that can be served, so take care someone once said that Martini's are like a women's breasts, one is not enough and more than two are too many.

Perhaps it is my New York back ground but there simply is nothing as sophisticated as a vodka Martini or two before the theater or dinner. I have even been known to celebrate getting my spring facial by downing one or two just before going. Talk about relaxed.

For information about measuring drinks go to: The Barman's Conversion Chart.