dry martini

noun

plural dry martinis

: a martini made with less dry vermouth than usual

A proper dry martini is made with gin or vodka and a whisper of vermouth …

—Adam Edwards

Though there are still those who like a good bit of vermouth, many bartenders hear more requests for dry martinis. Usually this is accomplished by swirling a small bit of vermouth in a glass. The excess is emptied before the gin or vodka is added.

—Allison Ballard

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above