It's Martini time and here at MetroWize we're about to throw down. If olives are the only thing to perfectly accomplish an AM eye opener then you, our lush-like amigos, are in luck. Crank up the Sinatra, light up a smoke and grab yourself a couple dames to keep the night from getting cold, and get ready, because this is the MetroWize guide to Martinis. Follow us as we compare libations to members of the rat pack - a ring a ding ding, baby.

The Stimulus Package
Ingredients: 2 parts Gin, 1 part Dry Vermouth and 2 dashes of blood orange bitters
Directions: Shaken over the rocks - served up and honest




The classics are usually classic for a reason, and our favorite of the bunch has to be a little sipping sensation that we call The Stimulus Package. It's got a kick on it though. This isn't the martini for the beginner, but if you've regularly read our boozology section then you should be able to handle it. Think of this as Dean Martin, everyone's favorite. It's strong, it'll make you slur, and in the end, that's Amore. Try that on your next bar stop and and don't get mad at us if you can't remember that strangers name in your bed the next morning. We warned you.

Manhattan
Ingredients: 2 parts Bourbon, 1 part Sweet Vermouth and 2 dashes of peychaud bitters
Directions: Stirred, no - no, not shaken, stirred...yes, with a spoon. Stir and stir till mixture is cold and strain into a martini glass, add brandied cherry for garnish and end it with a knowing wink.


Do you ever get the urge to ride down the city streets with your head propped out of a limousine, champagne bottle in one arm out-stretched towards the heavens with drunken millionaire-style exuberance? Well, when we feel like going all Sammy Davis Jr. on the night we hit up the number 1 crowd pleasers like Manhattans. Next time you decide to order this beast, make sure the bartender get's it right. Maybe you should write this down... Ok, I'll wait. Great, you're back. Made properly, the Manhattan will taste like an angel, dancing across your lips.

Vespa
Ingredients: 2 parts Vodka, 2 parts Gin, 1/2 oz of Lillet Blanc
Directions: Shaken over ice





Ok, now you're three sheets into it and looking for another kick served up. With that we recommend the Vespa, the James Bond martini. It's sophisticated enough to turn some heads but because of the wild success of James Bond it has that acceptability that people can go for. For example if you're at a Dive bar and order one, people might give you a hard time till you tell them this is what Bond was drinking. It's probably like the Peter Lawford of this analogy.

Sidecar
Ingredients: 2 parts Cognac, Juice from one-half lemon, and 1 part Grand Marnier
Directions: Stirred over ice and strained into a chilled Martini glass




Sidecars are like the Joey Bishop of the bunch, in that people are familiar with them as a classic but are never really sure why they know them. A well-made Sidecar should be a gentleman's' constant companion - the bright, golden color, the subtle hints of sweetness, the sour citrus against the strong backdrop of Cognac and Grand Marnier - perfection in a glass.

Gibson
Ingredients: 2 parts Vodka, 1 part Dry Vermouth, and a Cocktail Onion for garnish
Directions: Mix ingredients and add ice, then stir, stir, stir and strain



Then, you come to the chairman of the board, the old blue eyes of Martinis. It's plain, it's simple and it's over the top at the same time. Of course we're talking about the Gibson. Oh baby, legend has it that Gibson was a business man who didn't want to get drunk at some big important function he was at, so he had the bartender place a cocktail onion in his drink so he knew which was his. Originally this was a weaker drink and he would gain a competitive edge over his increasingly red-faced drinking cohorts. Somehow like a good game of telephone, something happened and the Gibson came out the other end as a super strong martini. 2 parts Vodka, 1 part Dry Vermouth and a cocktail onion equals "something stupid like I love you."

Dirty Martini
Ingredients: 2 parts Vodka, 1 part Dry Vermouth, 1 part Olive Brine and 4 green olives to garnish
Directions: Combine the vodka, vermouth and olive brine, pour over ice, stir and strain



If you're the type that can't stand sweet n' girly cocktails, then you'll love this savory delight. The Dirty Martini is a simple twist on the classic martini, but adds a ton of flavor and style. At MetroWize we like to get dirty - like, extra dirty. So when we order a dirty martini, we order it with extra olive brine and plenty of olives to garnish.

Kahlua Coffee Martini
Ingredients: 2 parts Vodka, 2 parts Kahlua, 1 part Coffee, 1 dash of Vanilla Extract, and a pinch of Sugar
Directions: Dissolve sugar in hot coffee, Chill in freezer for 20 minutes, combine coffee with other ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake it up and pour into a chilled Martini glass


Need a wake up call with your Martini? The Kahlua Coffee Martini is the ideal drink to start your morning, if you're into that kind of thing. Otherwise, we suggest you order up this caffeinated delight as the first drink in a long night of boozing - it'll get you buzzed and will keep you up and alert. This particular type of Martini can be pretty strong and will leave you with a nasty hangover if you're not careful, so don't go overboard and pound down five in a row. Just sayin.

Next time you're out, pop on the tuxedo, order up a few rounds of the boys and you too might be performing on a stage somewhere in Vegas.