Dirty Martini
Average
Spirits palpable
3 Minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
The Dirty Martini is one of the most popular savory cocktails of all time. Sexy, confident and alluring, one sip and it’s easy to understand why the Dirty Martini is a favorite.
But first, do you prefer your Dirty Martini with gin or vodka? And how much olive brine would you like in your drink? The Dirty Martini is very much a drink that is made based on personal preference, which we’ll dive into and explain below.
So, without further ado, are you ready to make YOUR perfect Dirty Martini?
How To Make a DIRTY MARTINI Cocktail
Bar tools you’ll need
Fine Strainer
Jigger
Mixing Glass
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Measure and pour Dry Vermouth into a Mixing Glass.
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Measure and pour Gin.
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Measure and pour Olive Juice.
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Fill the Mixing Glass with Ice Cubes
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Use a Bar Spoon and stir until chilled.
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Place a Julep Strainer into the Mixing Glass then pour the mixture into a Martini Glass.
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Garnish by placing a single Green Olive into the Glass.
Watch Rico show you how to make a Dirty Martini cocktail
All about The Dirty Martini
A Dirty Martini is a classic cocktail made with chilled vodka or gin together with olive brine. It’s arguably the most popular savory cocktail ever.
Depending on whether you use gin or vodka, the profile of your Dirty Martini will differ. Do you want smooth and soft or floral and crisp? Regardless of which spirit you choose, a Dirty Martini is spirit forward and characterized by its delicious savory notes from the olive brine.
So, how much olive brine should you put in a Dirty Martini? That’s the million dollar question…because it’s up to you. That’s right — the key to a great Dirty Martini is personal preference.
“If you want more vermouth in your martini that’s fine – it’s still a Martini. You like your martini how you like your martini – it’s a personal drink,” explains Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan – Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.
The exact origin of the Martini is unclear, but several theories suggest it originated in either Martinez, California, or San Francisco, California, during the 1800s Gold Rush. Regardless of its precise origins, the Gin Martini was born and quickly gained popularity.
The Dirty Martini, however, is believed to have originated in 1901, when a New York bartender drew inspiration from the classic Martini’s Olive Garnish by muddling Olives and adding a splash of Olive Brine.
It took decades before it gained popularity, but it eventually became one of the most popular savory cocktails of all time. It even found favor with an American president, who frequently mixed them for guests at the White House.
Depending on your preference, a classic Dirty Martini can be made with either Gin or Vodka.
Stir to perfection
“Stir until perfectly cold and perfectly diluted,” suggests Rico. When you’re stirring the mixture in the Mixing Glass, how do you know when it’s perfectly diluted? Rico recommends giving it a little taste on a Bar Spoon and if you like what you taste, then it’s the perfect dilution for you! Otherwise, keep stirring.
Chill your glass
Always chill your glassware in advance, especially when you’re making a Martini. A well-chilled glass is a simple yet essential step in crafting the perfect Martini and enhances the overall experience.
Experiment with Brine: Infuse your own Olive Brine with herbs or spices for a personalized touch.
Throughout the years, countless Martini variations have emerged, including fresh fruit Martinis like the Appletini and Neo-Martinis such as The Espresso Martini and The Pornstar Martini.
Traditionally, a Martini is made with Gin (or Vodka) and Vermouth. Any additional ingredients, such as Bitters, are used sparingly to add just a hint of flavor, enhancing the drink’s profile. With this in mind, we offer three variations of a Dirty Martini:
Vodka Martini
Although Gin was originally used to make the first Martini and remains a popular choice today, Vodka has since become the preferred spirit for this classic cocktail.
Learn how to make a Vodka Martini.
Dry Martini
Not a fan of Olives or prefer a zesty twist? The Dry Martini is typically garnished with Lemon Zest and, unlike a Dirty Martini, does not include Olive Juice.
Discover our Dry Martini recipe.
Gibson Martini
The Gibson Martini is the same as a Dry Martini but replaces the Lemon Zest with a Cocktail Onion.
Here’s how to make a Gibson Martini.
A classic Dirty Martini demands a Green Olive and, of course, a splash of Olive Brine served in a Martini Glass. Simple and elegant.
If you want more vermouth in your martini that’s fine – it’s still a Martini. You like your martini how you like your martini – it’s a personal drink.
Bartender and Global Brand Ambassador
Dirty Martini FAQ
The term ‘dirty’ refers to the addition of Olive Juice or Olive Brine, usually from a jar of Cocktail Olives that’s added to the drink.
A Dirty Martini contains Olive Juice and is garnished with a Green Olive, whereas a Dry Martini is typically garnished with Lemon Zest and does not include Olive Juice.
Vermouth is a type of Fortified Wine flavored with various botanicals. It’s added to Martinis to add complexity. How much Vermouth should you use? That’s up to you, of course – it’s your drink – but we usually recommend about a teaspoon.
As we always say, taste is personal. However, we recommend Spanish Queen Olives or Spanish Manzanilla Olives.
