Dirty Martini
A beloved savory variation on the classic Martini, the Dirty Martini gets its character from a splash of olive brine. This simple addition transforms the drink, giving it a salty, umami complexity that has made it an enduring favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ oz Gin or Vodka
- ½ oz Dry Vermouth
- ½ oz Olive Brine
- Garnish: 2-3 Olives
Instructions
- Chill the Glass: Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer until it is ice-cold.
- Combine and Stir: Add the gin (or vodka), dry vermouth, and olive brine to a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice.
- Stir Well: Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until the drink is perfectly chilled and has a silky texture.
- Strain and Garnish: Strain the mixture into your chilled glass. Garnish with two or three olives on a cocktail pick.
Pro Tips for Perfection
Use Quality Brine: The "dirty" element is the star, so use the brine from a jar of high-quality olives. Avoid brine from cheap, pimento-stuffed olives, which can be overly salty and artificial. The brine from Castelvetrano or Kalamata olives works wonderfully.
Stir, Don't Shake: Like a classic Martini, a Dirty Martini is an all-spirit drink and should be stirred. This maintains its crystal-clear appearance and smooth, heavy mouthfeel. Shaking will make the drink cloudy and aerated, a condition bartenders call "bruising."