Inspired by the Classic Gin Martini, New York bar tender John O’ Connor is credited with inventing the Dirty Martini.
A simple twist on a simple drink, the Dirty Martini extends on the salty goodness of the classic martini by adding olive brine to your concoction!
It’s certainly not to everyone’s taste but if your pallet has had enough of sweet and sugary cocktails this is a great one to “dirty” things up (In the cocktail world, “dirty” means a slight change to colour or in this case taste; “filthy”, on the other hand, is where you’re completely mixing things up – not for the faint-hearted!)
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Tools you will need for making a Dirty Martini
- Martini Glass
- Jigger
- Micing Glass
- Strainer
- Cocktail sticks
Find all our favourite tools for your home cocktail bar here.
Dirty Martini Recipe

A twist on the Classic Martini for our salty beverage lovers. The original Martini calls for Gin but you can easily substitute a good Vodka and your choice of olive brine. Best served in a chilled martini glass.
Ingredients
- 75ml Gin (or Vodka)
- 15ml Dry Vermouth
- 10ml Olive juice or brine
- Garnish with 2-3 olives
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice
- Pour in the gin, dry vermouth and brine
- Stir well with a bartenders spoon for at least 30 seconds
- Strain into a chilled Martini glass
- Garnish with olives on a cocktail stick
Notes
You can adjust the gin to vermouth proportions to taste.
Olive Juice is best taken from your jar of olives which will bring out the natural flavouring.
Further martini variations
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