Salty Dirty Martini Recipe With Vodka And Olive Brine

If you’re craving something salty, sharp and a little dramatic, the Dirty Martini’s got you.

It’s bold, briny and doesn’t care if you’re sipping in silk or sweatpants. This isn’t the cocktail that blends in… it shows up with olives and attitude.

The Salty Dirty Martini is the one you make when you want to feel a little extra without doing too much. It’s smooth, savory and just strong enough to remind you that yes, you are the main character tonight.

One sip and suddenly your Spotify’s on jazz, your lighting’s moody and you’re twirling that cocktail pick like you’ve got secrets. It’s grown-up energy in a glass.

What Is a Dirty Martini, Really?

The Dirty Martini is basically the cooler, saltier cousin of the classic martini. It keeps the same clean lines with gin or vodka, dry vermouth and then goes off-script with a splash of olive brine. That’s what gives it the “dirty” name… and its signature salty bite.

This drink didn’t just show up outta nowhere. The original martini goes way back to the late 1800s but the dirty version came into play a little later in the 20th century.

Someone figured olives deserved more than just sitting pretty on a toothpick and turned the garnish into the flavor. Bold move.

And that’s the vibe. It’s a martini that bends the rules and got way more interesting because of it. Savory, a little mysterious and not trying to be everyone’s favorite.

You can roll with gin if you want that herbal, crisp finish or go vodka for something smoother. Either way, the olive brine is the real star. That’s the twist that takes it from basic to bold.

Best Tips for Making It at Home

Making a Dirty Martini at home doesn’t have to feel like a whole thing. It’s actually one of the easiest cocktails to get right… if you keep a few little tricks in mind.

• Chill your glass first. This makes a big difference. Pop it in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you mix. Nobody wants a warm martini.
• Shake or stir… your call. Shaking gives it a little more chill and texture. Stirring keeps it smoother. There’s no rule here, just whatever you like better.
• Use good brine. Don’t grab the sad jar of olives in the back of the fridge. You want brine that’s fresh and salty but not too cloudy or weird tasting. If you love the olives, you’ll love the brine.
• Balance is everything. Too much brine and it gets murky. Not enough and it’s just a regular martini with an identity crisis. Start small and build it up based on your vibe.
• Garnish like you care. A couple of olives on a pick or a lemon twist if you’re feeling fancy. It’s the last step that makes it feel like a full drink instead of just booze in a glass.

Perfectly Salty Dirty Martini Recipe

This Dirty Martini combines the sharpness of gin with the rich, salty flavor of olive brine, resulting in a cocktail that’s both bold and refreshing. The taste is smooth, with a delightful tang that lingers on the palate, making it a true crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 Ounces Gin or Vodka
• 1/2 Ounce dry Vermouth
• 1/2 Ounce olive brine (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Garnish: olives or a lemon twist

Zero-proof version: Skip the gin/vodka and vermouth and swap in a splash of non-alcoholic spirit or soda for a zero-proof version that still brings the salty vibe.

Instructions

1. Chill the Glass: Place your martini glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
2. Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
3. Shake or Stir: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or stir gently if you prefer a smoother texture.
4. Strain and Serve: Remove the ice from your chilled glass. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass.
5. Garnish: Add a few olives or a twist of lemon peel to finish.

Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 1 cocktail
• Calories: 286 kcal
• Fat: 2g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 10g

Dirty Martini Variations to Try

Once you’ve nailed the classic, it’s fun to mess with it a little. These twists keep the Dirty Martini vibe but let you play with the flavor depending on your mood.

Extra dirty. Add more brine if you’re all in on the salty side. Just don’t go overboard or it’ll start tasting like soup.

Gibson style. Swap the olives for cocktail onions. It’s still savory but with a sweeter edge and a bit of bite.

Spicy dirty. Add a dash of hot sauce or muddle a slice of jalapeño. The heat plays weirdly well with the brine and makes it feel way less stiff.

Need inspiration for some other gin based cocktails? Why not try a gin and tonic, a Tom Collins or a classic Martini?

Pin for later!

Continue to Content

Yield: 1

Dirty Martini

Print

This Salty Dirty Martini brings a delightful twist to the classic recipe with the addition of olive brine, which will tantalize your taste buds.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 75 ml Gin or Vodka
• 15 ml Dry Vermouth
• 15 ml Olive Brine (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Garnish: olives or a lemon twist

Instructions

1. Chill the Glass: Place your martini glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
2. Mix the Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and olive brine. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
3. Shake or Stir: Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, or stir gently if you prefer a smoother texture.
4. Strain and Serve: Remove the ice from your chilled glass. Strain the cocktail mixture into the glass.
5. Garnish: Add a few olives or a twist of lemon peel to finish.

Notes

Skip the gin/vodka and vermouth and swap in a splash of non-alcoholic spirit or soda for a zero-proof version that still brings the salty vibe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 96mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.