How To Order A Martini At The Bar Like A Total Pro

Whether you're stepping up to order your first martini ever or simply your first martini of the evening, knowing how to place your drink order with confidence can help alleviate some of the social pressure that can build up during busy cocktail hours. Martini drinkers have options, and anticipating the questions that can come from bartenders who are eager to serve will help you get a fresh drink into your hands without confusion or pause.

If you simply ask for "A martini, please," your bartender will be forced to ply you with a series of questions. If it's a crowded bar, the questions may be clipped and hurried, and you'll be met with stares from other waiting patrons. Knowing whether you'd prefer your martini made with vodka or gin is the first place to start, and the rest of the details can provide servers with the information they need to deliver your drink your way.

After you've decided upon your booze of choice, knowing how much vermouth you'd like added to the drink will indicate whether you should order your martini dry, wet, or perfect. A dry or extra-dry martini incorporates a minimal amount of vermouth into your cocktail, while a wet martini delivers more than a standard martini recipe. Perfect and 50-50 orders will see that you're served equal parts gin and vermouth in your poured cocktail.

After you've decided upon the contents of your martini, you can consider the additional elements that help impart extra flavor and texture to it. If you enjoy the taste of olives and want olive brine added to your drink, request a dirty or extra-dirty martini. If olives aren't your thing, don't mention the word.

Next, unleash your inner James Bond and indicate whether you'd prefer your drink shaken or stirred. This will instruct the bartender how you'd like your drink to be made. While it isn't necessary to indicate the kind of garnish you want your drink to be topped with, to look like a martini pro, specify whether you'd like a citrusy element finishing your drink — like a lemon peel — or a more savory addition like a pickled onion. Dirty martinis are typically served with olives, while martinis made without olive brine are topped with a twist of lemon.

Providing these details without the bartender having to ask will have you looking like a martini connoisseur before you pick up your martini glass and take the first sip.