Make a Better Martini With These 7 Vodkas

Before you knock the vodka Martini, try these editor-approved bottles in your next drink.

We know, we know: The vodka Martini is not technically the classic. That title belongs to the gin Martini, which is justifiably one of the all-stars of the tippling pantheon. But don’t let the cocktail bullies badger you — If you like drinking vodka Martinis, then drink them with abandon. Just make sure you’re thoughtful about what goes into them.

After all, any drink with so few ingredients — in this case, vodka, vermouth, maybe a few drops of well-chosen bitters if you’re feeling saucy, and a garnish — absolutely requires that each component be perfectly considered, and that you understand the ramifications of how you order or make it. Stirring your vodka Martini will result in a silkier cocktail with less dilution from the ice, whereas shaking it will weaken the spirit a bit more and often leave a shimmering layer of tiny ice shards on top, unless you double-strain it through, say, a standard Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh one. (I find that shaking a vodka Martini will do far less damage to the balance of the final drink than shaking a gin Martini does. In fact, I never recommend shaking a gin Martini, whereas if shaking a vodka Martini is your preference, you can do it with a greater sense of impunity.)

Of course, you can always use a ready-to-drink vodka Martini, like the lovely, new-ish release from Grey Goose, which incorporates a few dashes of orange bitters into the blend to lend it freshness and generosity. I’ve been keeping a bottle of it in the freezer, and it’s come in quite handy when we’ve had thirsty guests over.

Related: The 13 Best Gins for Every Home Bar

No matter how you drink your Martini — with vodka or gin, with more vermouth of less, with a twist or an olive or an onion, which makes it a Gibson — always serve it in a frozen glass or coupe, or at least one that you’ve filled with ice water and allowed to cool while you mix or stir. And always make sure to have a second glass chilling and ready to go: A great ice-cold Martini tends to disappear much more quickly than most people expect. These seven vodkas below are all a perfect place to start.

7 best vodkas to use in a Martini

Charbay Clear Vodka

Distiller Marko Karakasevic is the 13th generation of his family in the business, and he is as much of a purist as you’ll find. The back of this bottle lays out his philosophy in no uncertain terms: “Our vodka is distilled one time, from Midwest grain. There is no need for charcoal filtration, so we don’t do it…” The final liquid is brought to proof with water from their Northern California base — they’re located in Ukiah, a two hour drive northwest of San Francisco. The result is a uniquely rich and creamy spirit with a slight floral lift to the yellow apples and mashed blanched almonds. It’s just as delicious on the rocks as it is in a classic Martini.

Chopin Bartender’s Choice Vodka

This new-release vodka from the beloved Polish distiller is specifically formulated to shine in cocktails. It’s crafted from rye, which lends the spirit assertive spice notes, and rings in at almost 60% ABV, which helps it retain its power when shaken or stirred into a cocktail. The finish is notably savory, with citrus and mineral notes.

Related: Here's How to Make the Best Martini in NYC

Cîroc Snap Frost Vodka

No, this isn’t a new flavor: If you look closely at the bottle, Cîroc calls its classic vodka Snap Frost, which is produced from French grapes as opposed to the more standard grains of other brands. Whatever you refer to it as, this is a decidedly lemon-zest-forward vodka that makes for a lovely vodka Martini with a twist (which highlights the citrus notes) or a briny olive (which serves as an excellent counterpoint). Both of them are reliably tasty and refreshing options.

Purity Organic Vodka Signature 34 Edition

Purity takes the concept of multiple distillations to its logical conclusion, offering expressions that run the gamut. Among the Estate 17 Reserve (distilled 17 times), the Signature 34 Edition, and the Connoisseur 51 Reserve, this one feels best for crafting a well-balanced vodka Martini. Its almost assertive neutrality works in its favor, and it has less spice than the 17 and more oomph than the 51, which is best on its own. If you’re feeling really ambitious, mix up half-size Martinis from each of the three variations from Purity  —it’s a fascinating side-by-side comparison.

Tommyrotter Small Batch Vodka

This corn-based, sand-, gravel-, and charcoal-filtered vodka is crafted in Buffalo, New York. It starts off subtly but gains strength as it rolls across the palate, picking up hints of hard pears and spice. It’s a standout in a vodka Gibson.

Related: 17 Best Vodkas For Every Home Bar

Verità Vodka Italiana

Triple-distilled from wheat in the Italian Alps before a final, fourth distillation in an old bain-marie still (think of it as a double-boiler for booze, and in this case the heat source is wood fire), this silky, non-chill-filtered vodka produces an assertive, creamy Martini that retains plenty of elegance. There is a subtle corn-nut note to the vodka itself that works wonders alongside a more floral vermouth like Dolin.

Woody Creek Distillers Colorado 100% Potato Vodka

The potatoes are from the Rio Grande and the water to bring it to proof is from the Rocky Mountains. The result is a luscious, sweet-leaning vodka with loads of mashed orchard fruit and the suggestion of marzipan. This is one of the few vodkas that would show just as well in a classic-ratio Martini as it would in its more modern incarnation that includes almost no vermouth.

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine.