How to make a dirty martini! This is one of the most popular cocktails created. It is easy to make and uses simple ingredients. A classic cocktail, perfect to sip and serve year-round. For a unique twist, try my dirty martini recipe with tequila.
If you love to entertain, you may continually prowl for new recipes. However, there’s more to dinner than food and dessert. Liven up your next party (or Sunday evening) with a dirty martini using my foolproof recipe. In the meantime, let me unwrap this drink’s dirty secrets!
When served cold and in a chilled glass, a martini has a clean, crisp taste that celebrates the spirits used to produce it, rather than muddling them with too many ingredients.
What Is the Dirty in a Dirty Martini?
Dirty martinis have a kick of olive brine in the mix. Olive juice adds acidity and salt for a more powerful flavor that drinks sippers worldwide savor. It also changes the color of a clean, clear martini, making it “dirtier.” Traditional martinis come with an olive garnish, but many bartenders add two or more to a dirty martini.
Ingredient in a Dirty Martini
- Olive Brine – The best olive brine comes in the jar of the olives you’re using. You want to use a green olive brine. You can also buy olive brine which we recommend if you’re making a few cocktails.
- Vodka or Gin – Both a dirty vodka martini and a dirty gin martini will make the perfect martini.
- Vermouth – Vermouth is an aromatized fortified wine that is flavored with various botanicals. We use dry vermouth for this recipe.
- Olives – Green, pitted martini olives are perfect for making a classic dirty martini. You can also use blue cheese olives which give the drink extra flavor. We are a fan of both!
Shake or Stir A Martini
Mixologists typically stir martinis. Stirring gently and smoothly blends the ingredients. However, shaking a dirty martini can help circulate the olive brine and create a well-balanced drink.
It’s really a matter of customer preference. We like to shake our martinis with ice. And if you’re anything like James Bond, you’ll want your martini shaken, not stirred too.
The main thing is getting the martini very cold, it makes it more enjoyable to sip. Serving it in a chilled cocktail glass is also key to making the best martini.
Vermouth in a Dirty Martini
Martinis, including dirty martinis, typically contain vermouth. However, like many mixology recipes, there are many variations. Why should it be simple, after all?
The secret, if you go out for drinks, is in how you order. The bartender follows directions provided by the customer. Here are the different ways you can order a dirty martini:
- Dry: This means you prefer little vermouth.
- Extra dry martinis: This variation involves swirling vermouth around a chilled glass and pouring off the excess, so just the slightest flavor comes through.
- Extra dirty: Extra dirty martinis have equal parts of olive juice and gin or vodka.
- Not very dirty: You also can order a martini with extra olives and no brine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, martinis are made with gin. However, many people prefer vodka, which has a less herbaceous taste than gin. Truly, this is up to you and your preference!
Most dirty martinis have a splash of vermouth. The vermouth adds even more flavor to the drink, giving it a crisp tart flavor. When you add a little vermouth, you’re giving the drink layers of flavors with just one extra ingredient. You can certainly make this drink without the addition of vermouth if you prefer.
More Martini Recipes You’ll Love
For all of you martini drinkers, you must try these delicious recipes!
- Christmas Martini
- Classic Peppermint Martini
- The Best Apple Martini
- Gingerbread Martini
- Cranberry Martini
- Lemon Drop Martini
Now that you know how to make a perfect dirty martini recipe, I’d love your thoughts! Leave a comment and review below.
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious recipes, cocktails, desserts and parties!
want to save this?
Enter your email below and I’ll send it directly to your inbox!
How to Make a Dirty Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka , or gin
- 1/4 ounce vermouth
- 1 1/2 ounce olive brine
Instructions
- Add the ingredients into a cocktail shaker or glass.
- Stir or shake with ice for 20 seconds. The ice helps to dilute the alcohol and create a balanced cocktail.
- Strain the cocktail into a martini glass or a coupe.
- Garnish with plenty of olives!
I just made my first dirty martini this weekend, (not the best either. Haha.) This will help. Thanks for this. ? Cheers!