Dirty Martini Recipe

DIRTY MARTINI RECIPE INGREDIENTS 

75ml London Dry Gin

15ml Dry Vermouth

15ml Olive Brine

HOW TO MAKE A DIRTY MARTINI COCKTAIL

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 30 seconds to combine, chill, and dilute the ingredients. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with 2-3 olives on a cocktail stick. 

GARNISH

Olive

TELL US ABOUT THE DIRTY MARTINI COCKTAIL

The regular Gin Martini is one of the most classic cocktails on the planet. I’m sure most of you have heard the famous James Bond line “shaken, not stirred” for his preference of a Martini? While this triggered a period where Martinis became “cool”, the popularity of the drink was already evident with the 100+ variations.  

One of the more popular variations is the Dirty Martini. Believed to have originated in 1901, the Dirty Martini took the original olive garnish and muddled it into the drink to add to the flavour profile. This then led to olive brine being used as a core ingredient rather than just a garnish. 

From 1970 onwards, the key ingredient switched from Gin to Vodka with both being equally popular in the modern Dirty Martini but for the truly dry texture, it’s best to stick to the classic option of a London Dry Gin. 

EXPERT TIP

The amount of olive brine added can vary depending on personal taste but a common saying is that a Dirty Martini can too easily become a “filthy” Martini if too much is added. Therefore, it’s best to start with a modest 15ml serve (10ml isn’t enough to impact the flavour of the drink) and adjust upwards to a max of 25ml depending on personal preference. 

It’s always better to start at the minimum and adjust upward than it is to go too heavy on your first ever Dirty Martini and put yourself off the drink for life!

While the original Dirty Martini calls for regular olive brine, a more premium option in modern cocktails is an Artisan Olive Juice which is specially made for use in cocktails so it’s definitely worth checking out.