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Dirty Martini Cocktail

Gin
Author: Smriti Dey
A martini garnished with olives sits on a table beside small bowls of olives, pickles, and mixed nuts.
Ingredients
Method

The dirty martini cocktail is famed for its distinct profile and versatility within classic drink categories. Often opted for by individuals who prefer a savoury variation of the classic, the addition of olive brine differentiates this cocktail from the standard martini cocktail and contributes to its flavour-forward character. Its popularity is reinforced by its association with minimalism in both technique and composition. With simplicity in structure but complexity in flavour, this concoction has become representative of showcasing how small changes in ingredients can significantly shift the flavour direction of a familiar format.

What you’ll need

Ingredients

Serves:
1
  • Tanqueray No 10 gin (or any other gin of choice)
    30ml
  • Dry vermouth
    15ml
  • Olive brine
    15ml
  • Green olive
    For garnish
  • Ice cubes

Method

  1. Step 1

    Combine the gin, dry vermouth and olive brine in a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.

  2. Step 2

    Stir gently for 20-30 seconds until well chilled and strain into a chilled martini cocktail glass.

  3. Step 3

    Garnish with a green olive before serving.

Tips & Suggestions

  • Use only high-quality pickling liquid or brine made with salt water (not oil), to maintain clarity and achieve a well-balanced savoury profile without requiring additional seasoning.

  • Serve the drink immediately after stirring to retain its clarity; do not overfill the glass to avoid hand contact raising the temperature of the drink.

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FAQs

Olive brine introduces a savoury, mildly salty flavour that differentiates the dirty martini cocktail from a standard martini cocktail. It provides umami depth along with a slightly cloudy appearance.

Yes, vodka can be used in place of gin to create a variation with a more neutral base, allowing the olive brine and vermouth flavours to become more pronounced.

A dry martini cocktail contains gin and dry vermouth only while the dirty variation includes olive brine, which introduces a savoury, saline flavour and slightly cloudy appearance.

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