There are various types of martini, but at its core, a traditional martini calls for dry vermouth and either vodka or gin. Two essential variations of a martini are wet and dry.

Technically, a dry martini has a higher ratio of vodka (or gin) to vermouth than a classic martini, whereas a wet martini has a higher ratio of vermouth to vodka (or gin).

A standard martini ranges from a 3:1 to a 4:1 ratio of vodka to vermouth. The exact ratios of both wet and dry versions do vary, but a standard dry martini calls for a 5:1 ratio.

Then there's the wet martini, which shifts the ratio balance further toward vermouth, usually falling between a 2:1½ and a 2:1 ratio of vodka to vermouth.