The Dirty Martini Recipe is as classic as cocktails get. Everybody knows it, most people have had one, and any good bar worth it’s salt can make one. But not all Martinis are the same.
The classic Dry Martini is the standard bearer among recipes and variations, but countless riffs take the drink in new directions, from the 50/50 Martini, which combines equal parts gin and dry vermouth, to the Perfect Martini, Dirty Martini Recipe which splits the vermouth between sweet and dry. There are also countless ’ tennis, often sugary, neon-colored drinks served in stemmed glasses that are another category of drink. (For this exercise, those don’t count.) And then you have the savory, beguiling, and controversial Dirty Martini.
The Dirty Martini is believed to have originated in 1901
When New York bartender John O’Connor found inspiration in the classic’s famous olive garnish. First made by muddling the olive into the drink, and later by adding a splash of olive brine, the Dirty Martini took decades to reach a wide fan base. It eventually found favor among drinkers, including President F.D.R., who served and drank them in the White House. Fast forward to the modern day, and the cocktail is equally loved and reviled—ordered en masse by thirsty patrons while simultaneously loathed by some bartenders.
But some enterprising bartenders have seen the writing on the wall—people are bewitched by Dirty Martinis—and begin making the drink their own, improving the cocktail with proper techniques and quality ingredients. That includes fresh, refrigerated dry vermouth and artisan olive juice.
The cocktail can be made with gin or vodka. Gin is the classic choice, but by the 1970s, vodka had supplanted its botanical cousin, and it became the regular call in Dirty Martinis. You can choose whichever spirit you prefer, as both do an admirable job.
The Dirty Martini may never touch the classic Dirty Martini Recipe influence or reputation, but you can’t dispute its popularity and significance. What was once a dirty secret is today a go-to order for salt-craving drinkers. And because the Dirty Martini is easy to make, Dirty Martini Recipe it’s also a great option when drinking at home. Throw in its garnish that doubles as a snack, and there’s just so much to like about this Dirty Martini Recipe tried-and-true cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 oz gin or vodka
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- 2 tsp olive brine
- 2-3 large stuffed olives, for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine.
- Stir until well combined and chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with 2-3 stuffed olives on a toothpick.
This Dirty Martini is a classic cocktail that is sure to satisfy, with its balanced blend of spirit, vermouth, and briny olive flavor. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated drink to enjoy after work or a special occasion, this Dirty Martini is sure to impress. Enjoy!
