10 Best Vodkas For A Martini

It takes a good drinker to know a good martini and an excellent bartender to prepare it. A vodka martini is a perfect example of a classic cocktail. Crafted with only vodka and vermouth, it's potent, delicate, and elegant — everything you need in a cocktail.

"For many years, the vodka martini was just cold alcohol, a little flavorless," says José Luis León, bar director at Mexico City's award-winning Licorería Limantour and Baltra Bar. But now, in the days of premium and artisanal vodkas and vermouths, we can prepare more subtle martinis than their gin counterparts, allowing us to explore the aromas and flavors of vermouth more deeply.

Behind the apparent simplicity of this cocktail lie many vital decisions. One of them is the proportion of vodka vs. vermouth, which León says depends on the decision of each bar or bartender. Less vermouth means a drier martini; these days, the trend is to go 50/50 — equal parts vodka and vermouth. In terms of garnish, you can't go wrong with olives, pickled onions, or a lemon twist, which brings out vodka's citrus notes. And lastly, when it comes to stirred or shaken, León suggests stirred, as shaking dilutes the cocktail and makes it lose some of its flavor and strength.

This Austin-born vodka is one of the most beloved American spirits out there. While some might say it's not exactly handmade anymore, Tito's Handmade Vodka is still skillfully produced in the first legal distillery in Texas, giving it a nice, old-school feel. Tito's is made from corn and distilled six times using old-fashioned pot stills, then filtered using activated charcoal, and each batch is taste-tested to ensure quality. The resulting vodka is a clear-looking liquid, sweet on the nose and silky down the throat, without letting you forget you're actually drinking vodka (it's also certified Gluten-Free).

In fact, founder Tito Beveridge's goal was to create a "vodka so smooth you could drink it straight" (via Tito's Vodka). The success of his mission means Tito's works very well in most vodka-based mixed drinks, giving your vodka martini a little sweetness and a little bite. Olives work particularly well with this Texan beauty regarding garnishes, and we like to think that's the Austin way.

The gorgeous bottle is the first thing that will strike the eye about Belvedere, but there's plenty more to love about this Polish vodka. It is made from Polish rye, purified water, and distilled four times with a process that uses fire, paying tribute to the country's 600-year-old vodka-making history. In fact, Belvedere is made in one of the longest-operating distilleries in the country, open since 1910. Bonus: it is certified kosher and has zero additives.

Belvedere is a super clean vodka, with notes of vanilla and cream on the nose that continue on the palate with notes of spice and, of course, rye, a grain that's deeper and more complex than other grains used for vodka production. Belvedere is excellent in a dry martini because of its bright taste and distinct character, and the brand's own recipe calls for a grapefruit twist as a garnish, which makes for a lovely, bittersweet touch.

This excellent Polish import, Żubrówka, is made from rye and has been distilled since the 16th century. It is said that soon after its creation, Żubrówka became a favorite among the country's royals. Bar director León also mentions it as one of his best-liked brands, thanks to the spirit's complexity. With herbal notes of rosemary and lavender on the nose and the presence of citrus, apple, almond, vanilla, cereal, and fresh-cut grass on the palate, Żubrówka is an incredibly complex vodka. In fact, the vodka's name comes from Zubr, the bison herds that roam Poland's Bialowieza forest. This grass gives Żubrówka its distinct flavor, infusing its distinctive fragrance into the vodka.

According to Caskers, Żubrówka was banned in America in the late '70s because of a natural chemical in the grass that could thin the blood, making the vodka only available on the black market. Fortunately, the spirit, using herbs from the Bialowieza region, has been reformulated and can now be enjoyed legally. You can expect a martini prepared with the award-winning Żubrówka to be fascinating, providing a complex flavor experience in every sip.

A timeless classic, this vodka is truly iconic, from the bottle to the characters who drink it, including the ever-dapper Roger Sterling from Mad Men and, of course, James Bond himself. Stoli is made using a blend of spring and winter wheat with a touch of rye, and the liquid is first distilled three times, then filtered four times through birch and quartz sand, and mixed with well water. This process takes place in Latvijas Balzams, a historic distillery built in Latvia at the beginning of the 20th century.

On the first approach, Stoli features aromas of marshmallows, minerals, and fruit peel. The notes of citrus and sweetness are present on the mouth, followed by a touch of pepper. These smooth, playful scents and flavors make for an excellent, versatile martini, equally delicious with a couple of olives or a twist of lemon. Needless to say, it should be stirred, not shaken.

Perhaps the ultimate premium vodka, Grey Goose boasts everything we are looking for when thinking of the perfect martini: a refined, clean flavor, unquestionable quality, and a beautiful bottle that is a pleasure to uncork. The production process of this French spirit begins with single-origin winter wheat from Picardie, and water from Gensac in the Cognac region. The distillation is quite unique, too, as it consists of five stages designed by François Thibault, the house's original Cellar Master, and it takes place in steel and copper columns. Adding spring water and filtering through active carbon and cellulose ensures a pure, crystal-clear spirit that is delicate and floral on the nose and has a sweet, round flavor, courtesy of the wheat. Grey Goose is fantastic in any vodka-based cocktail, producing a flawless martini that's equally bold and smooth.

Now that we've covered top-notch brands, here are some last words of wisdom from bar director León: make sure you explore your local distillers and producers, as there are plenty of interesting new vodkas being launched these days. With vodka being such a versatile spirit that allows for more freedom regarding ingredients and production processes, you're sure to find a fun new option to add to your martini-creating adventures.