If the only thing you know about martinis is that James Bond likes them shaken not stirred, then it’s time to educate yourself. It is college after all.

The standard martini is made with 2 1/2 ounces of gin, 1/2 of dry vermouth and ice. Ice should fill the mixing glass or shaker half full.

The ingredients are chilled either by shaking or stirring and then strained, so there’s no ice, into a martini glass garnished with a green olive. It is now popular to also garnish with a twist of lemon.

Martinis also can be made with vodka, instead of gin, so make sure to tell the bartender your preference; otherwise it might be made a different way than you wanted.

The “perfect martini” is made with both sweet and dry vermouth. Try 2 1/2 ounces of gin, 1/2 of dry vermouth and 1/2 of sweet vermouth.

A “sweet martini” is made with sweet vermouth instead of dry.

To make a “dirty martini” simply add a teaspoon of the brine from the olive jar to your ingredients and mix like your standard martini.

A “naked martini” is made without any ice, but all ingredients are chilled.

A “Gibson martini” removes all ice before adding or straining the ingredients and is completed by garnishing with onions.

When it comes to martinis, if you believe the dryer the better than try the “in-and-out martini.” This martini is made by adding a teaspoon of dry vermouth and ice to your shaker. Swirl around mixture than strain out the vermouth. Then add the gin, shake or stir and strain out the gin without the ice into your glass and garnish with olives.

A martini that has no vermouth added to it is referred to as a “Churchill.” Make this martini by stirring dry gin and ice then waft an open bottle of dry vermouth above the shaker.

What’s the difference between shaken and stirred martinis? Shaken martinis dilute the vermouth and make it cooler. When martinis are stirred, it prevents the ice from bruising the gin and therefore makes the gin taste less bitter. Many people believe the true martini is always stirred and never shaken and also is only made with gin.

Many believe vodka, shaken martinis aren’t really martinis and should be referred to as “Bradfords.”

To make martinis from home make sure your at-home bar is fully stocked with: mixing glass or shaker strainer, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, olive juice (Try Fragata Olive juice), olives or other garnishes, ice, martini glass, gin and/or vodka.

In general, martinis should be made with premium gin and vodka. Don’t use the cheap stuff. To make a great martini without breaking the bank try: New Amsterdam gin, Miller’s gin, Broker’s gin, Boru vodka, Tito’s vodka or Prairie Organic vodka.

Here is one recipe to get you started: 2 1/2 ounces of Hendrick’s gin, 1/4 ounces of dry vermouth, 1/4 ounces of lemon juice, garnish with a cucumber