Step1: Put your martini glass in the freezer no later than 5 minutes prior to the time you would like to be cocktailing.

Step2: Locate a lemon, olives and your shaker. Fill shaker ~.5 to ~.75 of ice. The more the better IMHO.

Step3: Add the gin (3+ jiggers should do it). I'm a huge Bombay Sapphire fan, but whatever works for you.

Step4: Take martini glass out of the freezer.

Step5: Apply enough vermouth to the glass to coat when swirling the glass. Be careful not to fling vermouth (by your second one of these, you'll be flinging no matter what you do!). I like Martini and Rossi Green label vermouth. Don't use red vermouth. You'll be sorry if you do.

Step6: Cap the shaker and shake briskly for at LEAST 10 seconds. I go for about 20 - but that's what I like. FYI: "bruising" the gin is a myth.

Step7: Place the shaker down to sit for a sec. Grab your lemon and using a veggie peeler grab yourself a good slice - with no pith (the shite stuff). Give your slice a good twist to release the lemon oils and drop the twist in the martini glass.

Step8: Strain the icy gin into the glass. It should have a white, frosty tint to it from the vigorous shaking you just performed. It is now at its most delicious state.

Step9: While sipping, poke a few olives and have those around to pop while you kick off your shoes and relax. Hey, you work hard. You've earned this!