Chill your glass by filling it with ice. Scoop some ice into a cocktail shaker and pour one good ounce (an ounce and a pinch) of vodka or gin over the ice. Put the lid on the shaker and shake it for 15-20 seconds or so. (More for big ice cubes, less for chipped ice.) Empty the ice out of your chilled glass and shake out the excess water. Put a smidgen of dry vermouth in the glass and swirl it around. Dump out the excess. Take the lid off the cocktail shaker and use your cocktail strainer to pour the chilled vodka or gin into your glass. (You have practiced, so it fills the glass perfectly.) Skewer a nice fat perfect olive with the sword of your choice (no cellophane frills, please) and drop it in. Olives with kooky fillings (garlic, almonds, anchovies) are acceptable at theme parties. Olives stuffed with bleu cheese or other dairy products must not even be considered.

Bright Ideas: If making a pitcher, try six parts vodka or gin to one part vermouth.

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