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Dirty Martini – Vodka Recipe

Dirty Martini – Vodka Recipe

By What’s Baking

A sophisticated, savory cocktail balancing crisp vodka with olive brine for a silky, umami-rich martini with just the right touch of salinity.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
3 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A crystal martini glass stands against a deep charcoal backdrop, filled with a slightly cloudy, silvery liquid that catches dramatic side-lighting. Olive brine creates subtle swirls in the otherwise clear spirit, while three plump green olives threaded on a sleek metal pick rest against the rim. Droplets of condensation cling to the exterior of the glass, emphasizing the cocktail's perfect chill. A splash of olive brine being added creates delicate ripples across the surface, highlighting the drink's signature "dirty" character.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml premium vodka</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10ml dry vermouth</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml olive brine (from jar of cocktail olives)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">3 green olives for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes for mixing</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Martini glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Olive pick or cocktail skewer</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Chill your martini glass by filling it with ice and water, then set aside. A properly chilled glass is crucial for maintaining the cocktail's temperature and preserving its silky texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Fill your mixing glass two-thirds full with clean, fresh ice cubes. Large cubes are preferred as they melt more slowly, providing controlled dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add 60ml of premium vodka to the mixing glass. Quality matters here – the clean profile of a good vodka creates the foundation for a superior Dirty Martini.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Pour in 10ml of dry vermouth. While this is less than a classic martini, the vermouth adds subtle complexity that complements the olive brine.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Add 15ml of olive brine directly from your jar of cocktail olives. For a "dirtier" martini, you can increase to 20ml, but start with less – you can always add more to taste.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Gently stir the mixture for about 30-45 seconds using your bar spoon. Stirring (rather than shaking) creates the silky smooth texture that defines a great martini while providing proper dilution without over-aeration.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Empty the ice water from your martini glass. The glass should feel cold to the touch, indicating it's properly chilled.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Using your Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass. Pour slowly and deliberately to avoid splashing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Skewer three green olives on your cocktail pick and place them in the drink as a garnish. The olives should be top quality and complement the brine used in the cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Serve immediately while the cocktail is at its optimal temperature. The perfect Dirty Martini should be bracingly cold with a velvety mouthfeel and a beautiful balance of savory and alcoholic notes.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cocktail
🔥 Calories: 175 calories
🥑 Fat: 0 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 0 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
🍭 Sugar: 0 g
🍗 Protein: 0 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 0 mg
🧂 Sodium: 310 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Should a Dirty Martini be shaken or stirred?

A Dirty Martini should always be stirred, not shaken. Stirring for 30-45 seconds provides the proper dilution while maintaining the cocktail's silky texture and clarity. Shaking would over-aerate the drink, creating unwanted cloudiness and a different mouthfeel.

How can I adjust the 'dirtiness' level in my vodka martini?

Adjust the 'dirtiness' by varying the amount of olive brine. Start with 15ml for a balanced dirty martini, increase to 20-30ml for 'extra dirty', or reduce to 5-10ml for a 'lightly dirty' version. The quality of olive brine significantly impacts the final flavour profile.

What's the ideal temperature for serving a vodka-based Dirty Martini?

The ideal temperature is ice-cold, around -5°C to -3°C. Properly chill both your mixing glass and martini glass before preparation. Stir with fresh ice for 30-45 seconds to achieve optimal temperature. Serve immediately, as the cocktail warms quickly, affecting its distinctive velvety character.

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