Dirty Martini
The Dirty Martini is a strong vodka cocktail, herbal on the palate. Shaken and served in a cocktail glass. It's one of the International Bartenders Association's official new era cocktails.
- 3 min
- Cocktail glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 30 out of 100
- Herbal
- 44 out of 100
- Boozy
- 71 out of 100
How to make a Dirty Martini
To make a Dirty Martini, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 2⅓ oz vodka, ½ oz dry vermouth and 1 oz olive brine. Garnish with lemon and olive.
You'll need
- Vodka2⅓ oz
- Dry Vermouth½ oz
- Olive Brine1 oz
- Lemon, Olivegarnish
Keep it clean. Hold the brine and it's the Martini or the Vodka Martini.
Make it filthy. Double the olive brine (bartenders call that extra dirty).
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
- 6
Garnish with a lemon wheel and an olive.
Why shake? Olive brine needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Dirty Martini questions
What does a Dirty Martini taste like, and is it sweet?
Not really: it's mostly herbal, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 21% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Dirty Martini?
About 21% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Dirty Martini and a Vodka Martini?
Both use vodka and dry vermouth. The Dirty Martini adds olive brine. The Vodka Martini is the stronger of the two.
Should a Dirty Martini be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: olive brine needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
What glass do you serve a Dirty Martini in?
A cocktail glass.