• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Belly Rumbles
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Restaurants
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Blog

    Should a Martini be Shaken or Stirred? Was 007 wrong?

    June 19, 2017 By Joshua McCleary Updated November 29, 2020 - This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Should a martini be shaken or stirred? did James Bond get it right?

    HAPPY MARTINI DAY! To celebrate this martini day I'll be serving up the history along with two recipes for this iconic classic cocktail.  Plus answer the question, should a martini be shaken or stirred?

    Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?
    Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?

    In 1911, a New York City bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia began serving a cocktail made with gin, vermouth, orange bitters, and an olive garnish.  Not that anyone agrees with this.  In 1887 in San Francisco, a bartering manual appears to have the first printed recipe for a “Martinez”.  A similar recipe involves gin, sweet vermouth, Luxardo maraschino liqueur (a type of cherry liqueur), and Angostura bitters.

    Should a martini be shaken or stirred?

    A Martini is classic, elegant cocktail, and a favourite of the fictional 007, James Bond, which only boosted it's popularity. One thing always bothered me about James, why does he ask for shaken and not stirred martini?  Should a martini be shaken or stirred?  Apparently James, you have been drinking it wrong all your life because ideally it should be stirred not shaken.

    Why stirred? A martini needs to be ice cold, but by shaking it with ice it adds tiny ice particles to the final cocktail.  This dilutes the martini and makes it cloudy. While stirring with large ice cubes makes it as cold, not diluted and is crystal clear.  To be honest, it is easier on the bartenders arms as well.

    How to make a classic martini

    • Chill your martini glass.
    • Once chilled pour your vermouth into the glass, coat the inside then discard.
    • In a metal shaker add large ice cubes, then gin.
    • Stir briskly for 15 seconds.
    • Double strain into your glass
    • Garnish and enjoy.

    Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?
    How to Make a Dry Martini Shaken, not Stirred

    • Chill the martini glass.
    • In a metal shaker add ice, then gin.
    • Show the shaker there is a bottle of vermouth nearby.
    • Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
    • Double strain into your glass. Garnish with lemon swath.
    Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?

    There you have two martini recipes and a little history this Martini day.

    Bottoms up.

    Josh

    After some snacks to enjoy with your Martini?

    Teriyaki Chicken Wings - finger-licking goodness
    Potato Skin Chips - super tasty and fighting the war on waste
    Green Tomato Fritters - a southern twist on domatokeftedes

    Printable Recipe

    Classic Martini Recipes – Should a martini be served shaken or stirred? Has James Bond been getting it right all these years?

    Martini Recipes

    Recipe Author: Sara McCleary
    The original classic stirred martini recipe, plus our shaken dry martini recipe
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 martinis
    Calories 73 kcal

    Ingredients

    Classic Stirred Martini

    • 30 ml Dry vermouth
    • 120 ml gin 94-proof
    • 1-2 Olive for garnish

    Dry Martini Shaken

    • dry vermouth
    • 120 ml gin
    • lemon swath, twisted

    Instructions
     

    Classic Stirred Martini

    • Chill your martini glass.
    • Once chilled pour your vermouth into the glass, coat the inside then discard.
    • In a metal shaker add large ice cubes, then gin.
    • Stir briskly for 15 seconds.
    • Double strain into your glass
    • Garnish and enjoy.

    Dry Martini Shaken

    • Chill the martini glass.
    • In a metal shaker add ice, then gin.
    • Show the shaker there is a bottle of vermouth nearby.
    • Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
    • Double strain into your glass. Garnish with lemon swath.

    Oven Temperatures

    All oven temperatures are fan forced.

    Measurement Notes

    All measurements are Australian metric standard. All measures are level, and cups are lightly packed unless specified. 1 teaspoon = 5ml / 1 tablespoon = 20mls / 1 cup = 250ml /4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.

    Recipe Notes

    Why stirred? A martini needs to be ice cold, but by shaking it with ice it adds tiny ice particles to the final cocktail.  This dilutes the martini and makes it cloudy. While stirring with large ice cubes makes it as cold, not diluted and is crystal clear. 

    NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

    The recipe's nutritional information is an approximation based on an online calculator. It is meant solely for reference purposes. If you're looking for precise details, be sure to double-check with your own research.

    Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 16mgSugar: 1g
    Did You Make This Recipe?I do a happy dance when people share how they went. Tag me on Instagram @bellyrumbles & #bellyrumbles
    « Pea and Rosemary Dog Treats Recipe + Hello Harley!
    Wild Scampi Caviar, Sapphires of the Ocean »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Deb

      December 16, 2023 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      That's EXACTLY how I used to makes Martinis when I ran the Cocktail bar at the Chevron Hotel in Melbourne and tended the bar at The Melbourne Oyster Bar restaurant (50yrs ago).

      NEVER shake a Martini made with Gin as it bruised the spirit and I preferred to wave the Vermouth bottle over the shaker, but showing the gin the bottle works too.

      With Vodka - it's not strictly a Martini anyway.

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        January 03, 2024 at 12:07 pm

        Hi Deb
        Totally agree, not a martini if you don't use gin.
        Cheers, Sara

    2. Karl Winneker

      November 26, 2020 at 1:29 am

      Consider a "dirty" Martini, which is the addition of green olive juice to the drink.
      The Martini will be cloudy, but that's to be expected when enjoying such a heavenly drink.

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        November 26, 2020 at 10:34 am

        Hey Karl,
        I actually don't mind a dirty martini. I often order them if having drinks with friends after work. I love the savoury note they get from the olive brine, it also means I get a snack via the olive 😉
        Cheers, Sara

      • I.Flem

        February 21, 2023 at 6:15 pm

        Actually Bond drank it correctly for his purposes. The diluting means he would take more to get drunk, and he was a spy who needed to keep his wits on him.

    3. Rock Bigbie

      August 26, 2019 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Loved the history and Bond stuff.

      Reply
      • Sara

        September 01, 2019 at 4:30 pm

        Thanks Rock!

    4. Rosemarie

      June 29, 2017 at 11:56 am

      I am definitely an add slice of twisted lemon to my martini - love just sighting the vermouth bottle

      Reply
    5. Jagruti

      June 20, 2017 at 2:00 am

      I don't consume any alcohol, but I don't mind making this recipe for someone 🙂 Nice info.

      Reply
    6. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish

      June 20, 2017 at 1:25 am

      I really like your in-house shaken martini version! My husband is the drink maker in the family, I'll share with him. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Low Carb with Jennifer

      June 20, 2017 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      I've never tried a classic martini but if I ever order one it will be stirred. Thanks for the tip!

      Reply
    8. Christina Shoemaker

      June 20, 2017 at 12:46 am

      5 stars
      I have always wanted to like a martini and you've inspired me to try one again! They're so pretty and they look so classic! I do love flavored versions though. Maybe that means I like sugar too much. 😉

      Reply
    9. Marvellina - what to cook today

      June 20, 2017 at 12:28 am

      Wow...now i know Mr. Bond has drunk it wrong all these years lol

      Reply
    10. Gaby

      June 19, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      Classic martini is my favourite cocktail, I don't mind if it's shaken or stirred but it's got to have vermouth and at least one olive.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    photo of Sara McCleary, Founder, Belly Rumbles culinary travel blog

    Well hello there! I’m Sara McCleary a food lover and avid traveller.

    Welcome to Belly Rumbles, my slice of the Internet.

    A space where I share family recipes and ones discovered on my foodie travel adventures.

    Come join me on my culinary adventure.

    More about me ?

    Footer

    back to top


    Nitty Gritty

    About Us

    Let's Connect

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • About
    • Sara McCleary
    • Work With Us
    • Contact
    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Threads

    © Sara McCleary and Belly Rumbles® 2009-2025

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Reddit
    37 shares