‘Neat’ means no ice in the drink. You can put ice in the shaker to cool it, or chill the glass, but no ice in the drink.
‘Dirty’ is just adding a splash of green olive juice to the Martini.
Thank you, I know I should know this by now. My only experience with vodka really comes through my in laws. The stuff my FIL drank while he was alive was probably the cheapest stuff he could find to stretch his dollars. I don’t remember the brand, but it tastes like I think lighter fluid would taste if I ever wanted to drink that. No thank you! I made some lemon verbena liqueur a few years ago with some Grey Goose, and that was very nice as a sipper.
Dad drank whiskey, bourbon, or sometimes beer, and often wine. Mom barely drank at all, just a sip here or there. I, on the other hand, have always enjoyed rum mostly, whiskey or bourbon next, and wine sometimes, too. I hate beer but my hubby loves it. I learned fairly early that I can’t tolerate gin or tequila at all. They throw a punch at me. I rarely had martinis so don’t really know much about them at all. Thanks for giving me a little lesson. I may have to try vodka that way sometime just to broaden my horizons.