Dirty Martini

The Martini that tastes like the Mediterranean. Vodka or gin, dry vermouth, a healthy splash of olive brine. Salty, savoury, briny – the cocktail equivalent of a good appetiser. The ‘dirty’ is the brine; the dirtier the version, the more brine it gets.

Dirty Martini Cocktail Recipe

4.69 from 22 votes

Calories: 160kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 3

The Dirty Martini is a beloved variation of the classic Martini, known for its savory and controversial twist. It is believed to have originated in 1901 and gained popularity over time, with bartenders refining the recipe using quality ingredients.

Made with gin or vodka, the Dirty Martini offers a unique flavor experience. While it may not match the influence of the classic Dry Martini, its popularity and significance are undeniable. With its easy preparation and garnish that doubles as a snack, the Dirty Martini is a go-to choice for those craving a salty and satisfying cocktail. Perfect for enjoying at home or in a bar, this tried-and-true drink continues to captivate cocktail enthusiasts.

Ingredients

▢ 2.5 oz Gin
▢ 1 Splash(s) Olive Juice

Instructions

Combine Ingredients:

▢
In a mixing glass with ice, pour 2.5 oz gin and a splash of olive juice from the jar or fruit tray.

Mix:

▢
Shake or stir the mixture, depending on your preference.

Strain:

▢
Strain into a Martini glass.

Serve:

▢
Serve immediately and enjoy your savory Dirty Martini.

Notes

The Dirty Martini offers a delightful blend of savory and classic flavors, making it a perfect choice for any gathering or relaxing evening. The combination of gin and olive juice provides a unique and satisfying taste, while the olive garnish adds a salty snack.

Whether you're hosting a party or simply looking for a classic drink to enjoy, the Dirty Martini is sure to impress. Its quick preparation and savory taste make it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts.

Join our Drink Buddy community today for more savory and classic cocktail recipes and exclusive offers!

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 160kcal (8%)

Beverage, Cocktail, Drinks

Beverage Recipe, Cocktail Recipe, Drink Recipe

Where it came from

Olives have been on Martinis since the late 1800s, but the Dirty Martini specifically traces to John D. Rockefeller’s bartender at the Hoffman House around 1901, who added olive brine to the boss’s drink. The recipe spread through American hotel bars in the 1920s and 30s.

It had a long quiet stretch before the 2010s salty-flavour boom (think salted caramel, salted chocolate, salted everything) brought it back hard. By 2024 the Dirty Martini was outselling its dry sibling in many bars.

What it tastes like

Cold and clean from the spirit, herbal and dry from the vermouth, briny and savoury from the olive juice. The cloudy colour comes from the brine. Three olives on a pick is traditional – they soak in the drink and become more delicious as you sip.

Tastes more like food than dessert. Pairs perfectly with anything fatty or salty (oysters, olives, charcuterie).

The technique

60ml vodka or gin, 10ml dry vermouth, 15ml olive brine. Stir with ice for 30 seconds (or shake if you want it colder and slightly diluted – more on that below). Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

Garnish with three olives on a cocktail pick. Use Castelvetrano, Spanish queen, or Cerignola olives – not the cheap pimento-stuffed ones, which add a sour note. The brine they soak in matters: use the same brine in the cocktail.

Shake vs stir is religious. Stirred gives you a silkier, denser drink. Shaken gives you colder, slightly diluted, with a thin foam top. Neither is wrong.

Drink Buddy Exclusive

Tell us what’s in your cabinet.

Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you’ve got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.

Open the Builder →

Get the Drink Buddy newsletter

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.

Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

Vodka or Gin

What it is: Either neutral vodka or a London Dry gin. Vodka makes a cleaner, more austere Dirty Martini. Gin adds botanical complexity that fights the brine slightly.
Why we use it here: It is the spirit. Without it you are just drinking olive water.
Drink Lab pick: Vodka: Belvedere, Grey Goose, or any clean premium vodka. Gin: Tanqueray, Beefeater, or any London Dry.
Substitute: Aquavit makes an interesting savoury variation. Mezcal is too smoky.

Olive Brine

What it is: The salty, briny liquid that olives are stored in. Use the brine from a quality jar of olives – it is not just salt water, it has flavour from the olives themselves.
Why we use it here: Defining ingredient. The amount determines how dirty the Martini is.
Drink Lab pick: Castelvetrano olives produce the cleanest, most floral brine. Spanish manzanilla is more savoury.
Substitute: Capers brine works in a pinch but is sharper. Skip the briny pickle juices – completely different flavour.

Variations

Other Martinis worth knowing.

French Martini

Espresso Martini

Midori Illusion Cocktail Recipe

Blue Lagoon Cocktail Recipe

Blue Lagoon Margarita

Naked Lady Cocktail: Rum, Vermouth, Apricot and Grenadine

What if I don’t have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No olive brine?

Then it is not a Dirty Martini. Caper brine is the closest substitute. A pinch of salt and a splash of water doesn’t get there.

No vermouth?

You are making a ‘Dirty Vodka’ or ‘Dirty Gin’ – drier than the classic but still drinkable.

No olives?

Garnish with a lemon twist. The drink loses some of the visual punch but the flavour holds.

No martini glass?

Coupe glass is the modern preferred option (less likely to spill). A small wine glass works at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a Dirty Martini?

60ml vodka or gin, 10ml dry vermouth, 15ml olive brine. Stirred or shaken with ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished with three olives.

Why is it called a Dirty Martini?

The olive brine clouds the otherwise clear drink. The ‘dirty’ refers to the cloudy appearance, not anything sinister.

Is a Dirty Martini strong?

Yes. ABV around 30% in the glass, one of the stronger classic cocktails. The brine and vermouth are the only dilutions.

How dirty should a Dirty Martini be?

Standard is 15ml of brine. ‘Filthy’ or ‘extra dirty’ uses up to 30ml. Less than 5ml is just a hint of saltiness.

What olives go in a Dirty Martini?

Castelvetrano (large, green, mild), Spanish manzanilla, or Cerignola. Avoid pimento-stuffed cheap olives – they add a sour, vinegary note.

Should a Dirty Martini be shaken or stirred?

Either. Stirred is silkier and more traditional. Shaken is colder and lightly diluted. James Bond preferred shaken; Bradsell preferred stirred. Both are correct.

What is the difference between a Dirty Martini and a regular Martini?

The brine. A regular Martini is just spirit + vermouth. The Dirty adds olive brine, which makes it cloudy, salty, and savoury.

Can you make a Dirty Martini without vermouth?

Yes – you’ll get a ‘Naked Dirty’ or just ‘Dirty Vodka/Gin’. Drier and more spirit-forward but still recognisable.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated April 26, 2026 · 1 min read

1960's cocktail theme, 2023 Most Popular, 2024 Most Popular, 50 Most Popular 2022, Cocktail, D, D Cocktails, Gin, Keto, Low Carb, Martini, Olive Juice, Photo, Recipe

Dirty Martini

Dirty Martini

Dirty Martini Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

Combine Ingredients:

Mix:

Strain:

Serve:

Notes

Estimated Nutrition:

Where it came from

What it tastes like

The technique

Tell us what’s in your cabinet.

One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.

Ingredient Spotlight

Vodka or Gin

Olive Brine

Variations

French Martini

Espresso Martini

Midori Illusion Cocktail Recipe

Blue Lagoon Cocktail Recipe

Blue Lagoon Margarita

Naked Lady Cocktail: Rum, Vermouth, Apricot and Grenadine

What if I don’t have…

Frequently Asked Questions

More Like This

Amaretto Sour

Boulevardier

GODFATHER

Aperol Spritz

22 thoughts on “Dirty Martini”