Jules’ Dirty Martini

The Dirty Martini isn’t just a drink, it’s an experience. By combining the saltiness of olive brine, the botanicals of gin, and the subtle bitterness of dry vermouth, you’ll create a cocktail that’s as refined as it is adventurous. Finished with three olives and a drizzle of olive oil and a crack of fresh pepper, if you please, it’s a martini for those who crave a savory edge.

Whether you’re hosting friends for an intimate gathering or simply treating yourself to a quiet evening indulgence, this recipe offers the perfect way to elevate your cocktail repertoire. Let’s dive into the details and craft your new favorite martini.

How to Make a Dirty Martini

First of all, let’s get one thing straight: James Bond was wrong. Martinis are stirred, not shaken.

1. Rinse a chilled martini glass with dry vermouth, then toss the vermouth.
2. In a separate glass, stir gin or vodka and olive brine with ice until well-chilled.
3. Strain into your chilled, vermouth-rinsed glass.
4. Garnish with 3 olives.
5. Optional: finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a crack of fresh black pepper.

Pro Tip: Make your own homemade olive brine for better flavor!

Dirty Martini Ingredients

Gin (or Vodka)

I’m a gin martini girl all the way. Gin just has a lot more going on in the flavor department with its botanical and herbaceous flavors. Vodka, on the other hand, is pretty neutral. Check out my Gin Guide and Vodka Guide for more info, including the bottles I recommend!

Olive Brine

I make my own olive brine because it’s easy and allows me to get all my favorite flavors in my briny cocktails. It’s a super easy way to customize your drinks and make a signature martini. You can also just use the brine from a olive jar, preferably from Castelvetrano olives.

Dry Vermouth

Dry Vermouth is a fortified white wine with very little sweetness and often a subtle, herbaceous bitterness.

Olives

Castelvetrano, always.

Tips for Making the Best Dirty Martini

• It’s got to be ice cold! So chill the glass before and after you rinse with vermouth. Chill the vermouth. Chill the gin or vodka. Chill the olive brine. And stir with the ice until, you guessed it, well-chilled. You should see frost on the glass.
• Stir your dirty martini before pouring into your chilled, rinsed martini glass. Stirring vs shaking keeps the martini clear and smooth. Shaking it gets ice chips and other bits floating around that I, personally, don’t love in a martini.
• Use really good ingredients. The gin matters a lot here and I love using Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin for a Dirty Martini. The olive brine matters a lot, too, so try making your own or just getting a good jar of olives.

Why You’ll Love a Dirty Martini

• If you love a savory cocktail, the Dirty Martini is a must-try, especially with gin.
• If you’re trying to learn more about making your own cocktails, a Dirty Martini is a great teacher. It’ll teach you about balance, simplicity, and a very simple technique of stirring cocktails.
• You can really make a Dirty Martini your own. Some people use pickle brine and every brine is different. You can use gin or vodka, and which gin or vodka makes a big difference in the final flavor. You can even go extra savory with the garnishes.

Dirty Martini Variations

• There’s obviously a classic martini, but even that has it’s own variations, which you can check out in my Martini 101.
• If you love a classic Dirty Martini, but you arguably love a garnish more, you’ll LOVE my Gilda Martini.
• You can’t eat on an empty stomach, so if you love a Dirty Martini, you have to try my Dirty Martini Dip!
• Dirty Martini lovers usually like salty, briny flavors, so if that’s you, try my Tomato Martini and Caviar Martini.