RECIPES:
Jul 10, 2021

How to Make a Dirty Martini

Prep Time: 5 minutes
My perfect martini is made using gin, vermouth and plenty of olive juice is shaken until it’s ice cold (ideally with small shards of ice in it).
Featured Recipe Image

jump toRECIPE

My love for a good martini began at Dan Tana’s, the famous, old-school Italian restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, CA. They’re probably more famous for their bartending staff than for the classic, red sauce food itself. 

I got into martinis just before quarantine. The spirit-forward beverage quickly became my go-to at home cocktail. When the pandemic ended, I went back to ordering them at a bar – and I didn’t know what I was doing. So I’m here to break down all the martini basics for you. What’s my preference? My perfect dirty martini recipe is made using gin, vermouth and plenty of olive juice is shaken until it’s ice cold (ideally with small shards of ice in it). Pour it into a chilled cocktail glass ahead of time for an extra cold martini.

How to Make a Dirty Martini

gin on bar cart

Martini Basics to Act Like You Know What You’re talking about

Even if you’ve never ordered a martini before, here’s a quick guide so you can act like you know what you’re talking about next time you manage to grab the bartenders attention:

What is a dirty martini? 

A martini made with the addition of olive juice to give it briny flavors. Serve garnished with olives for added brine (and a little snack). 

What is a martini with a twist? 

A martini garnished with a lemon peel twisted and added to the glass. 

What does it mean when you ask for it with an onion?

Make a Gibson by stirring together gin with dry vermouth garnished with a small pickled cocktail onion. They are made by pickling pearl onions, which are naturally sweet, in a brine and then added to the cocktail for flavor. 

What is a dry martini?

This means the martini has little to no vermouth, making gin or vodka the only spirit. 

What is a wet martini? 

This means the ratio of gin (or vodka) is equal to the vermouth added. 

What is a vermouth rinse? 

A martini made with a rinse means the glass is first chilled and swirled with about a tablespoon of dry vermouth. Next, the vermouth is discarded and then chilled gin is added to the glass. It scents the martini without a strong flavor of vermouth. 

A dirty martini is a classic cocktail made from gin or vodka with vermouth and olive juice served in a cocktail glass with olives.

Shaken vs. Stirred

We all know James Bond prefers his martinis shaken – but what difference does that make? Shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker aerates and mixes the liquor, thoroughly chilling it and creating a frothier drink before straining into a glass. This method also dilutes the liquor more than stirring it. In addition, stirring the martini in a beaker creates a much more smooth, silky cocktail. 

Gin vs. Vodka

  • Vodka is a clear, distilled spirit that doesn’t necessarily have as many hard and fast rules as other liquors. It’s created by extracting starch from various grains, fruits and vegetables; commonly potatoes, wheat or rice. Vodka at its base is less flavorful than other spirits (unless it’s flavored vodka). 
  • Gin is made by distilling grains like wheat or barley with botanicals. To be considered gin, juniper must be prominently featured and a notable flavor profile. Other common ingredients used to flavor gin are orange, coriander, cardamom, pepper or licorice. The base of gin is a neutral spirit, often vodka. 
A dirty martini is a classic cocktail made from gin or vodka with vermouth and olive juice served in a cocktail glass with olives.

Key ingredients in a dirty martini

  • Gin – gin is basically just a botanical flavored vodka in my opinion. 
  • Vermouth – The other spirit in a martini is vermouth. 
  • Brine – The olive brine adds a salty flavor to the cocktail.
  • Olives – While green olives are the standard in martinis, try taking it a step further by using stuffed olives. Blue cheese stuffed olives or pimento stuffed olives are also both great options for an added savory flavor. 

The glassware 

Martini glasses are their own section of glassware with dramatic sloped sides. My favorite cocktail glasses are Waterford crystal glasses or this less expensive crystal version. The Italian version of martini glasses are more similar to small espresso cups on a delicate glass stem while a coupe glass is much wider and more shallow. 

Unique Spins on a Dirty Martini

  • Try adding a dash of MSG to the dirty martini – it’s how bartenders at Bonnie’s in Williamsburg, Brooklyn serve it and it adds a great salty flavor.
  • If you are a tinned fish fan, add an anchovy in addition to the olive on a skewer and a few drops of olive oil to garnish the martini.
  • Change up the olive garnish. Rather than using a classic olive, try swapping for blue cheese stuffed olives or pimento stuffed olives.

Other Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you enjoyed this classic cocktail, give these a try:

My Go-To Dirty Martini Recipe

dirty martini glass with cocktail rings
Print Pin
Prep Time 5 minutes
Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • ounces gin (or vodka)
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth
  • ½ ounce olive juice
  • Olives, for serving

Instructions:

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the gin, vermouth and olive juice.
  • Shake vigorously.
  • Pour into a martini glass and garnish with olives.

DID YOU MAKE THIS?

TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM TO BE FEATURED ON MY STORIES! @cookingwithcocktailrings

 

Rate + Review

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS RECIPE?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating