Miles Macquarrie, the James Beard-nominated bartender of beloved Atlanta hot spot Kimball House is no stranger to a good martini.

His perfectly-balanced cocktails are known for their painstaking attention to detail. In his house martini, special attention is paid to prep — and the trick to getting it bracingly cold. He’s adapted his recipe for the home bartender below, one I’m sharing in advance of the holiday season. Because whether you’re feeling festive or being forced into family fun, for me, knowing how to shake up a good drink is an essential survival skill.