Skip to main content
Epicurious

Fifty-Fifty Martini

By David Wondrich

4.4

(6)

A 5050 Martini on a marble counter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Cocktail historian David Wondrich prefers his Martinis this way—that is, with equal parts gin and vermouth, as they were served circa 1910. To achieve the right flavor balance, he suggests using a high-proof, full-bodied gin that can stand up to the vermouth. For the sake of historical accuracy, he also recommends straining the drink into a chilled cocktail coupe (a stemmed glass with a wide, shallow bowl), because the martini glass as we know it didn't come on the scene until the 1920s.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 drink

Ingredients

Cracked ice
1 ½ ounces London dry gin, such as Tanqueray
1 ½ ounces dry vermouth, preferably Noilly Prat
2 dashes orange bitters
Small piece lemon peel

Preparation

  1. In mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, vermouth, and bitters. Stir well, about 20 seconds, then strain into cocktail coupe or martini glass. Twist lemon peel directly over drink to release essential oils, and serve.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesMartiniVermouthGinQuickEasy30 Minutes or Less5 Ingredients or FewerNo-CookEpicurious

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like banana pudding cake and beer can chicken.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
13 Types of Nuts and How to Cook With Them
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in June
Like swordfish steaks with tomatoes and Peruvian-style tofu.
A Better Beer Can Chicken
Use the beer, not the can, for this citrusy take on a classic that nods to mojo criollo.
Tiny Tomato Galettes
With a crisp crust, garlicky mayo, and a juicy slice of tomato.
Sweet Corn Butter Mochi With Coconut Crunch
This summery cake from Bake Club just happens to be gluten-free.
This Cookout Menu Dials Up the Classics
The secret to juicy grilled chicken, a sheet-cake swap for banana pudding, and more reasons to light up the grill and have people over all summer long.