“how to make martini on the rock” (4/1/08)

Not difficult. First, fill a cocktail shaker with ice — easy. Then, a little trickier, anywhere from a splash of dry vermouth to a 1:8 ratio of vermouth and gin or, if you prefer, vodka. If vodka, feel free to shake vigorously. If gin, you should really stir it.

OK, so that wasn’t bad. But a really good “martini on the rock” — and here’s the hard part — requires a consultation with the Algonquin’s on-site jeweler and about $10,000.