These variations are a bit more substantial as they involve more than just swapping out a garnish. However, they illustrate how versatile the Martini is. I encourage you to use all these variations simply as a guide and create a recipe all your own.
Vesper
The Vesper is a drink originally ordered by James Bond in Ian Fleming's 1953 classic Casino Royal. Bond gave very detailed instructions for a drink containing gin, vodka, and Kina Lillet to be shaken, not stirred. Kina Lillet is a form of Lillet no longer produced, but Lillet Blanc is a comparable substitute. And per Bond's instructions this is essentially a double, so drink with caution or scale back.
Vesper
3 ounces gin
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
4 dashes The Bitter Housewife Grapefruit Bitters
Lemon twist
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, and shake till well chilled. (In this case shaking will dilute the drink more than stirring.) Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass, preferably chilled. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
50/50 Martini
Just as the name suggests this variation is equal parts dry vermouth and gin. Here the choice of vermouth, gin, and bitters can significantly change the drink. I encourage you to think about the characters of each ingredient to build a drink that really sings. Lean toward a citrus heavy gin and vermouth brightened by Grapefruit bitter or try richer, lightly spiced versions of both rounded out by Orange Bitters. I encourage you to find your own perfect combination, you might even try Lime Coriander or Cardamom Bitters.
50/50 Martini
1.5 oz dry vermouth
1.5 oz gin
4 dashes The Bitter Housewife Orange or Grapefruit Bitters
Lemon or Orange twist
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir till chilled, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with a twist of orange or lemon peel.
Reverse Martini
Also known as an Upside Down Martini, this recipe reverses the proportions of vermouth and gin for a cocktail that is not only lower proof, but really lets the flavors of each ingredient shine without being covered up by the harshness of alcohol. It's also reported to have been a favorite of Julia Child, so that's a win in my book. The Maraschino liqueur, if you choose to use it, just rounds out the edges.
Reverse Martini
2 oz dry vermouth
1 oz gin
4 dashes The Bitter Housewife Orange Bitters
barspoon Maraschino liqueur (optional)
Lemon twist
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
Martinez
A 50/50 made with sweet vermouth and a splash of Maraschino. The Martinez is a rich, lightly fruity take on a Martini that hits somewhere in between an Martini and a Manhattan. My preference is for a modern style gin with less juniper, but Old Tom gin is the classic choice and a lovely option.
Martinez
1.5 oz sweet vermouth
1.5 oz gin
barspoon of Maraschino liqueur
3-4 dashes The Bitter Housewife Aromatic Bitters
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir till well chilled, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with a of orange peel.
Perfect Martini
This recipe more than any other illustrates that Martinis and Manhattans are basically the same drink. They are the same proportions just bourbon and sweet vermouth instead of gin and dry vermouth. They both use Orange Bitters. Where the "perfect" treatment, meaning equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, lightens up a Manhattan making it a bit less sweet, it does the opposite for Martini making a bit sweeter and richer.
Perfect Martini
.5 oz sweet vermouth
.5 oz dry vermouth
2 oz gin
4 dashes The Bitter Housewife Orange Bitters
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
When you start to look at the elements of a Martini you begin to see how versatile the drink is and why there are so many riffs. I haven't even gotten into all the flavored Martinis that were popular in the late 90's and early 2000's.