Dirty Martini
The savory martini variation enriched with olive brine—salty, crisp, and bracing.
31%
ABV
180
Calories
Martini
Glass
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add gin, dry vermouth, and olive brine to a mixing glass with ice
Stir until very cold, or shake if preferred for extra cloudiness
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with 2–3 green olives
Glassware
Served up in a chilled martini glass
Garnish
Skewered on a pick
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Adjust brine to taste (¼–¾ oz)
Use fresh, clean brine from quality olives
Stir for clarity; shaking yields a cloudier, colder drink
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Dirty Martini.
Extra Dirty Martini
A brinier martini—gin or vodka with dry vermouth and a generous splash of olive brine.
Filthy Martini
Martini maxed on olive—vodka with a heavy pour of brine and multiple skewered olives.
Dirty Vodka Martini
Vodka, dry vermouth, and a lick of olive brine—icy, saline, and savory with briny olives to finish.
History & Heritage
“Bartender John O'Connor is credited with the Dirty Martini in 1901 after he splashed brine from the olive jar into a standard Martini. The drink grew popular among mid-century regulars who craved a savory kick, eventually becoming a staple of hotel bars and home mixology alike.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Gibson
A dry gin martini garnished with cocktail onions—clean, crisp, and subtly savory.
Classic Martini
The king of cocktails—minimalist, elegant and endlessly riffed—balancing aromatic gin with a restrained measure of vermouth. Orange bitters optional.
50/50 Martini
Equal parts gin and dry vermouth with a dash of orange bitters—silky, aromatic, and lower proof.