Dirty Martini Recipe (2024)

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5 from 6 votes

By: Nathan Longley

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Posted: 02/24/23

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By: Nathan Longley

|

Posted: 02/24/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Jump To Recipe

When you think of a sophisticated co*cktail, a martini comes to mind. A dirty martini gives a delightful salty and tangy twist to the traditional martini. Vodka and olive juice pair together perfectly for a straightforward flavor that makes this iconic drink irresistible.

Dirty Martini Recipe (2)
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Martinis are very popular in the co*cktail world, ranging from classic straightforward Vodka Martini to sweeter variations like the Chocolate Martini or Pear Martini. While a martini isn’t for the faint of heart, when made correctly is a very enjoyable drink and easy to make at home. This vodka dirty martini comes together in just three ingredients: vodka, olive juice, and olives for garnish.

What is a Dirty Martini

While the name “dirty” martini may not sound refreshing or even appetizing, it’s actually a very flavorful twist on the traditional martini. Just as theCosmopolitan co*cktailor Paloma co*cktail uses fruit juice to add a different flavor, this vodka martini dirty recipe uses olive juice or brine. While most recipes call for a little brine and some Vermouth, we opt to take out the Vermouth and add in more brine. The result is a tangy co*cktail that is the perfect potion to kick off happy hour any night of the week.

Best Vodka for a Martini

This martini recipe is a great time to show off premium vodka. Since it is the star of the show in this co*cktail, the vodka you choose will either make or break the taste. We recommend using the best vodka you have, or even purchasing a high quality one just for this recipe!

Dirty Martini Recipe (3)

How to Make a Dirty Martini

The best dirty martini recipe could not be any simpler to shake up. Grab just three ingredients and some ice, and follow these easy steps. For the full recipe including the perfect ratio of ingredients, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Pour the vodka into a co*cktail shaker of ice.
  • Add olive juice and shake.
  • Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with green olives.

What Makes a Martini Dirty

The addition of olive juice is what makes this martini recipe dirty. Make your martini as dirty as you like by adding more olive juice to suit your taste. There are a few options for adding olive juice depending on your price point or convenience:

  • Use the juice from a cheaper can of olives.
  • Use homemade olive brine.
  • Use a large jar of gourmet olives and mix dry vermouth with the juice to make it last longer.
Dirty Martini Recipe (4)

How to Serve

Shaking the co*cktail with ice and serving it in a chilled martini glass will ensure it’s served up icy cold. To chill your glass, simply place it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (up to two hours) prior to serving your co*cktail. Remove from the freezer just before you pour your drink. If you’re short on time or freezer space, simply fill the glass with ice while you make the co*cktail, and dump the ice right before pouring the drink.

How many olives you add is up to you. I’ve heard that the correct number of olives is as many as you can convince the bartender to give you. So, since you’re making this at home, the sky’s the limit!

Other Martini Recipes

  • Lemon Drop Martini
  • Key Lime Martini
  • Baileys Martini
Dirty Martini Recipe (5)

If you try this martini recipe or any of our other co*cktail recipes, leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Dirty Martini Recipe (6)

5 from 6 votes

Dirty Martini Recipe

Serves: 1 martini

(tap # to scale)

Prep: 2 minutes minutes

Total: 2 minutes minutes

In this dirty martini, vodka and olive juice pair together perfectly for a straightforward flavor that makes this iconic drink irresistible.

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Ingredients

  • 3 ounces quality vodka
  • 1 1/2 ounce olive juice
  • olives for garnish

Instructions

  • Combine vodka and olive juice in a martini shaker. Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with olives.

Course: Drinks

Dirty Martini Recipe (7)

Did You Make This

Dirty Martini Recipe

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @shakedrinkrpt and hashtag it #shakedrinkrepeat!

you may also like…

  • Pear Martini
  • Chocolate Martini
  • French Martini
  • Espresso Martini

Dirty Martini Recipe (12)

Dirty Martini Recipe (13)

Shake Like a Bartenderdownload our free top 10 most popular drink recipes!

Dirty Martini Recipe (14)

Nathan Longley has been his wife’s personal bar tender for as long as he can remember. While he most often enjoys a cold beer, he is known to love our vodka gimlet.

Reader Interactions

    Leave A Comment

  1. Kathy I Latty says

    Dirty Martini Recipe (15)
    Dirty Martinis are my favorite.

    Reply

  2. Donna Pearce says

    I love this Drink! Simply perfect

    Reply

  3. Dawna says

    Dirty Martini Recipe (16)
    I enjoyed these my entire cruise… love it!

    Reply

  4. Deborah says

    I just began enjoying Dirty Martini’s. I remember having a Martini my brother made me when I was about 21yo. It knocked me for a loop.(🤪) I haven’t had one since then but now I’m 71 yo and my taste must have “matured” along with my age! Now…..I truly enjoy the dirty martini. I also add 2-3 drops of hot sauce for an extra level of flavor. Maybe next time you have one try it with the Tabasco Sauce…the heat in the back of your throat is a great touch! Enjoy!

    Reply

    • Dirty Martini Recipe (17)Nathan Longley says

      That is something I will have to try! Thanks!

      Reply

Dirty Martini Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for a dirty martini? ›

Ingredients
2 ½ ozGREY GOOSE® Vodka
½ ozNOILLY PRAT® Original French Dry Vermouth
½ ozMediterranean Olive Brine
+5 Mediterranean Olives

What is the proper way to order a dirty martini? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

What makes a martini extra dirty? ›

An extra dirty martini co*cktail contains a generous portion of olive brine. The “dirty” part of a Dirty Martini co*cktail relates to the olive ingredients, and “extra dirty” just means more olive flavor, like in the Dirtiest Martini co*cktail.

What is a filthy dirty martini? ›

Ordering a Martini “Extra Dirty” or “Filthy” adjusts the co*cktail's recipe to include a higher ratio of salty olive brine in the drink. The Filthy Martini hones in on the olive brine's distinct taste in an otherwise Dirty Martini and turns it up to the max.

What is the best vermouth for a dirty martini? ›

6 Best Vermouths for Your Next Martini
  • Dolin Dry Vermouth. Give your martini a taste of France with Dolin Dry Vermouth. ...
  • Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth. If dry martinis are your go-to, I'm sure you're already aware of Cinzao Extra Dry. ...
  • Martini & Rossi Fiero. ...
  • Padro & Co Vermouth Rojo Amargo. ...
  • Antica Torino Bianco Vermouth.

Do you need dry vermouth in a dirty martini? ›

Dirty Martini

Calls for 3 ½ ounces gin or vodka, ½ ounce dry vermouth, and ½ ounce olive brine.

What is the two martini rule? ›

Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic. The reasons for this are obvious and I try to adhere to this rule at home. The rule is defended most enduringly (and elegantly) at Duke's Bar in Central London, where years of experience … Continue reading.

What is the difference between a dirty martini and a martini? ›

A wet martini will have a higher amount of vermouth in the mix and a dirty martini means the addition of brine. We've provided a little guide here to stir up a whole slew of versions of the martini to find your favourite style. garnish with a lemon twist or an olive (or both!)

Why is my dirty martini cloudy? ›

No, it doesn't actually involve dirt. This classic Martini includes gin and dry vermouth, making it very aromatic with a clean finish. A dirty martini uses olive brine, making the appearance a bit cloudy, and well... dirty.

What does vermouth do to a martini? ›

Sweet Vermouth was initially used as a co*cktail ingredient to lower the overall alcohol content of a co*cktail with a strong spirit as their base, but Vermouth also adds a mellow herbal flavour and aroma to your drink. Vermouth is actually a type of fortified wine flavoured with various botanicals.

What makes a martini dry or wet? ›

What makes a martini co*cktail dry is a lower level of vermouth – a dry martini co*cktail has a low vermouth to vodka ratio. The less vermouth you put in, the drier a martini co*cktail becomes. More vermouth? That means it's a wet martini co*cktail.

What is the best vodka for a dirty martini? ›

Best Vodka for a Dirty Martini: Grey Goose Vodka

"The minerality of Grey Goose lends itself perfectly to a dirty martini, which I make using a high-quality brine, like Dirty Sue, which was created by a bartender and formulated specifically for use in co*cktails.”

Is olive juice the same as olive brine? ›

Olive brine — or olive juice — is simply a mixture of salt, vinegar and water but as olives marinate, the liquid takes on a fantastically rich and delicious olive flavor. That salty goodness is a pungent boost that will deepen the flavor profile in your cooking.

What is olive brine for a dirty martini? ›

The batch involves blitzing equal parts pitted Castelvetrano olives and water in a blender before adding still more water and a 12:1 salt brine solution, resulting in a salty, pulpy mix that then rests in the refrigerator for a week.

Is a dirty martini made with gin or vodka? ›

A classic dirty martini can be made, depending on drinker's preference, with all gin or all vodka, but using half gin, half vodka — with some vermouth and brine — results in a drink that leans a bit fresher and cleaner. (Should you prefer to stick with one spirit, use 2½ ounces of either gin or vodka in this recipe.)

What is the difference between a dirty martini and a classic martini? ›

The key difference between a dirty martini and a classic martini lies in the addition of olive brine or olive juice in the dirty martini. The classic martini typically consists of gin, dry vermouth, and garnish, without any olive brine.

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