Clicky

How to Make a Dirty Martini

5 from 4 votes
Jump to RecipePinSave to Favorites

Site Index Cocktails Gin Martini

This post may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy for details.

My wife likes it dirty. I’m referring of course to her martini. The “dirty” in Dirty Martini is due to the inclusion of olive brine in the drink.

close up of Dirty Martini garnish with 2 olives on a pick
Dirty Martini close up

How to make a Dirty Martini

Dirty Martini’s are as great tasting as they look, especially if you are a fan of olives, which is mandatory for this popular cocktail.

What You’ll Need

To make a dirty martini, you will need a few simple ingredients such as:

  • Gin
  • Dry Vermouth (should be clear)
  • Olives (in brine)

Getting Started

Now that you have all of the ingredients in order, it’s time to make this dirty martini. To get started, follow the simple instructions below.

  1. In a Boston shaker (or similar cocktail shaker), add 2-3 ice cubes.
  2. Add 2-3 ounces of gin (your preference).
  3. Add 1/4 ounce of dry vermouth.
  4. Add 1/2 ounce of olive brine (the brine in the jar of olives).
  5. Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
  6. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with 1-2 olives on a pick and serve.

Note: It is incredibly important to add the olive brine into the shaker and shake. This is not a drink that you can stir it into after the fact.

Dirty Martini served in a martini glass with olives as a garnish
A Dirty Martini should be served in a martini glass with olives as a garnish.

There are plenty of types of vermouth but dry vermouth is a clear one which is how you can tell that you have the right one. For gin, a good dry one is the best choice for this drink.

Some other great cocktails to try:

 

Pin This Recipe to Your Cocktails Board & Remember to Follow Me On Pinterest!

How to make a Dirty Martini

EMAIL YOURSELF THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email to get this recipe emailed to you, so you don’t lose it and get new recipes daily!

Dirty Martini

My wife likes it dirty. I’m referring of course to her martini. The “dirty” in Dirty Martini is due to the inclusion of olive brine in the drink.
5 from 4 votes
Dirty Martini close up
Prep Time
5 minutes
Total Time
5 minutes
Course
Cocktail
Cuisine
American
Servings
1
Calories
136
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 2-3 ounces gin (dry is best)
  • 1/4 ounce dry vermouth (dry is clear)
  • 1/2 ounce olive brine (the brine in the olive jar)

Instructions
 

  • In a Boston shaker (or similar cocktail shaker), add 2-3 ice cubes.
  • Add 2-3 ounces of gin (your preference).
  • Add 1/4 ounce of dry vermouth.
  • Add 1/2 ounce of olive brine (the brine in the jar of olives).
  • Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
  • Pour into a martini glass and garnish with 1-2 olives on a pick and serve.

Recipe Notes

Note: It is incredibly important to add the olive brine into the shaker and shake. This is not a drink that you can stir it into after the fact.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 136kcal, Sodium: 412mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Made this recipe?

Share a photo of what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thekitchenmagpie or hashtag it #thekitchenmagpie.

Please rate this recipe in the comments below to help out your fellow cooks!

Learn to cook like the Kitchen Magpie

A Very Prairie Christmas Bakebook

Cookies, Candies, Cakes & More: Vintage Baking to Celebrate the Festive Season!

Learn More

a copy of Flapper Pie cook book

Flapper Pie and a Blue Prairie Sky

A Modern Baker’s Guide to Old-Fashioned Desserts

Learn More

The Prairie Table

Suppers, Potlucks & Socials: Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Bring People Together

Learn More

Mr. Kitchen Magpie

Hey everyone! I'm Mike (Mr. Kitchen Magpie). When I'm not sharing cocktail recipes here and on my Instagram (@mrkitchenmagpie), I'm enjoying a nice bottle of scotch in a vintage glass from my barware collection.

Learn more about me

Site Index Cocktails Gin Martini

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment or Recipe Tip

Recipe Rating