Dirty Martini
Classicsavoryclassicstrongstirred
Ingredients
- Vodka (or Gin)60 ml
- Dry Vermouth10 ml
- Olive brine15 ml
Switch between ml and US units above. Recipes are designed for home mixing.
Glass
Martini
Garnish
3 olives on a pick
Method
- 01Add vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine to a mixing glass with ice.
- 02Stir for 20 seconds until well chilled.
- 03Strain into a chilled martini glass.
About this drink
More on the Dirty Martini
What it tastes like
Served spirit-forward.
Why this recipe works
Stirring keeps the Dirty Martini silky and lets the spirit stay centre-stage — there's no citrus to froth, so dilution and chill come from gentle contact with ice rather than aeration.
Ingredient tips
- Vermouth is fortified wine — store it in the fridge after opening and replace every couple of months.
When to serve it
Serve as a slow, spirit-forward sipper rather than a session drink.
Common mistakes
- Over-stirring. Stop once the outside of the mixing glass is cold and frosted — usually 20–30 seconds.
- Using an old, room-temperature bottle of vermouth. Once opened it oxidises fast — keep it cold.
- Serving in a warm glass. Chill the coupe or martini glass in the freezer first.
Variations to try
- No dry vermouth? Try Dry white wine as a substitute (last resort).
