What is the role of ice in the preparation of a martini?

Ice plays a crucial role in the preparation of a martini primarily for chilling the ingredients and the glass. When ice is added to the shaker or mixing glass, it cools the drink rapidly, ensuring the martini is served at an ideal temperature, which enhances the overall drinking experience. While shaking or stirring the ingredients with ice can lead to slight dilution, the primary purpose of ice in this context is to chill the liquid rather than just to serve it.

While there are nuances to dilution affecting flavor over time and ice eventually being served with cocktails in some cases, the heart of the matter is that the role of ice is fundamentally about chilling. Therefore, recognizing this core function helps in understanding not just how to prepare a martini correctly, but also emphasizes the importance of temperature in cocktail enjoyment.