Vodka, oh vodka. It’s one of those spirits that instantly brings a flavor memory to mind, whether it’s from souvenir shot glasses or a neutral vodka-soda. Meaning “little water” in Russian, vodka certainly gets a bad rap, and the same is sadly true of vodka martinis. But to that end I say, no more!

Even the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which previously stated that, technically speaking, vodka should be “without distinctive character, aroma, taste, or color,” (ouch!) has gone back on its rulings. The bureau’s new amended definition gives vodka martini drinkers a lot more excitement to look forward to — and it shows.

Plenty of vodka brands are making far more complex martinis to enjoy and mix, according to bartenders. If you often opt for the more classic gin martini, it’s time to stir things up (literally, please don’t shake!) with a vodka martini.

What’s the Best Vodka for Martinis?

What’s the trick to picking the best vodka for a martini? Know your grains! Contrary to popular belief, most vodkas are not made with potatoes, but from grains like wheat, barley, rye, and corn. Depending on the grain, you’ll get a wide variation in texture, sweetness, and, yes, a little burn.

After conducting conversations with numerous bartenders, it became clear that one primary ingredient stood out for vodka: wheat. George Krpeyan, the general manager at The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, expressed a preference for vodka distilled from 100% wheat. Krpeyan suggests that most of the signature vodka cocktails that he crafts are made with Grey Goose, a vodka that uses wheat. Wheat vodka, according to his taste, is superior due to its delicate sweetness and smoothness. It is ideal for mixing, whereas vodka based on rye tends to have a spicier note, and those on corn are often buttery.

Krpeyan’s affinity for wheat-based vodka is shared by others. “My personal favorite vodka brand is Grey Goose. Being a French, I have a particular fondness for it. I appreciate the care with which the product is produced and the thought process behind it,” says Simon Sebbah, the beverage director of Grand Tour Hospitality. “At American Bar, Saint Theo’s, and Holiday Bar, all our vodka cocktails are based with Grey Goose.” Grey Goose, crafted from French winter wheat and brought up to proof with demineralized spring water from the nearby town of Cognac, has a crisp flavor perfect for a spirit-forward cocktail like a martini.

Buy: Grey Goose Vodka, $27.59 for 750 mL at Drizly

But it’s not just Grey Goose that’s renowned for its crisp flavor profile. Other bartenders and beverage directors also highly recommended other wheat-based vodkas, such as Stoli Elite, Chopin, and Ketel One, all well-known for their crisp, clean finish with light hints of citrus.

Guide to Making the Best Vodka Martini at Home

With a cocktail as simple as the martini, the quality of all your components really matter. You’ll need dry vermouth, your vodka of choice, and perhaps some orange bitters or olive juice, all of which should be very much chilled. If you have enough time, freezing your glasses and stirring your martini will keep the cocktail ultra-silky — almost creamy, even.

From there, most classic martini recipes will call for a 2:1 or 3:1 vodka to vermouth ratio, a quick 30-second stir in your mixing glass with a large ice cube, and then strain into your martini glass. Add garnish (like a lemon twist, olives, or cocktail onions) and you’re done.

While martinis might seem intimidating to make, there’s one method that makes it almost too easy while also maintaining an ambrosial texture: just make a large freezer batch. “The freezer martini method builds on that texture,” says Pete Vasconcellos, beverage director for Albert’s Bar in New York. “Get a one-liter glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Figure out your favorite martini ratio (of vodka to vermouth) and scale it up to 750 milliliters (until it almost fills the bottle). Multiply the total volume by 20% (150 milliliters) and add that amount of distilled water. Put your martini batch in your glass bottle and in the freezer. When you’re ready to drink, just pour it into a chilled martini glass. No need to stir!”