Caviar Martini

Martinis are already the epitome of sophistication, so it only makes since to add caviar. This Caviar Martini is a dirty martini with your added choice of brine, which makes it deliciously salty.

I’m a firm believer that a Classic Martini should always be made with gin and I love using pickle brine instead of the traditional olive brine when I’m making a Dirty Martini. But it’s totally up to you to mix this romantic, treat yourself cocktail however you like it!

Watch Me Mix a Caviar Martini

How to Make a Caviar Martini

1. First, get your martini garnishes ready, this could be a caviar bump on a mother-of-pearl spoon, olives stuffed with caviar, or a simple lemon twist.
2. Optional: Mist a chilled coupe or martini glass with a mist of absinthe
3. In a mixing glass add gin (I prefer Four Pillars Olive Gin), dry vermouth (I love Lofi Aperatifs), brine of choice such as olive or pickle brine, sea salt, and 2 dashes of orange bitters.
4. Add ice and mix together to chill.
5. Strain into chilled glass.
6. To enjoy: do the caviar bump, take a sip, and then garnish with your garnish of choice!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Gin

I always make my martinis with gin, which has a smooth botanical flavor. You could use vodka instead for a classic vodka martini if that’s your preference. I love Four Pillars Olive Gin!

Dry Vermouth

Always a requirement for my classic dirty martini. Dry vermouth is a dry fortified white wine with very little sugar and often a subtle, herbaceous bitterness.

Brine

Olive brine is the more traditional brine to add to a Dirty Martini, but I really love pickles, so I love using dill pickle brine instead. Up to you!

Sea Salt

Caviar is already a salty little garnish for this martini, but I love adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to the martini itself because it makes all the flavors in the gin and vermouth really pop. It also goes really well with the brine. This is definitely a cocktail for the savory, boozy cocktail lovers out there.

Bitters

Adding bitters to a martini is definitely not traditional, but we love a riff over here. I like adding orange bitters to play up the herbaceousness of the vermouth, the botanicals of the gin, and the saltiness of the brine. You could leave this out or, hey, make your first martini with it and see if you like it or not. You can always make a second one without if it’s not your thing.

Tips for Making the Best Caviar Martini

• The most important thing to get right when making a martini is to make sure it’s ice cold! Chill the glass in the freezer until it’s nice and frosty and make sure the gin, vermouth, and brine are all chilled as well.
• Stir! Martinis are not shaken, people. I don’t care what James Bond says.
• Get good caviar (I use ROE Caviar). This is a fancy treat yourself cocktail so don’t scrimp on the main ingredient, you’ll be able to taste the difference.

Why You’ll Love This Caviar Martini

• A Caviar Martini is a special and indulgent cocktail to make for Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s Day). Treat yourself and your loved one to a super romantic cocktail before or after dinner.
• If you love a dirty martini, you will definitely love a caviar martini, especially for a birthday or other special occasion.
• High potential to become your new signature cocktail or just your latest obsession.