Dirty Martini Drink Recipe

Posted in Cocktails, Gin, Martinis, Uncategorized on January 17, 2014

Hello mixologists!!  Today I'm going to be covering one of the most popular twists on the classic Martini recipe - The Dirty Martini.  Before continuing with this article, consider reading my Introduction to the Martini and Classic Martini posts if you haven't already, just so you can get up to speed on the intricacies of this classic category of mixed drinks.

What is a Dirty Martini?

The Dirty Martini is what happens when people who enjoy extremely strong and dry cocktails decide to take it up a notch further.  It is a simple but remarkable addition to the original recipe, and adds an elegant kick to the Martini.   The cocktail is made simply by taking the original recipe, and cramming it full of brine and olive-filled goodness.  Apocryphally, the drink is rumored to have come into existence during the Yalta conference, where Josef Stalin suggested to a headache cure to FDR - cocktail of vodka and pickle juice.  Without either pickles or vodka on hand, Winston Churchill reached into his bags, produced a bottle of gin and pickled olives, and threw out the morning coffee from the coffee pot to fashion a batch of cocktails, olive juice and all.  Proclaiming the recipe a victory, the world leaders moved on to discuss the major events on hand, and the supposed creation of the Dirty Martini slipped under the radar in the presence of the more distressing topics on hand.  Whether this story is true or not,  luckily the recipe did eventually make its way around the world.  Now, let us move on to the actual recipe itself shall we?

Ingredients
-2 oz Gin
-1/2 oz Dry Vermouth
-1/4 oz Olive Brine/Juice
-Green olives as desired

How do You Make a Dirty Martini?

This is a mixed drink Martini lovers who love the high seas and want to add a nostalgic flavor reminiscent of it to their drinks. This is a drink that I indulge in with great joy, as it is quite an excellent drink.   It is a drink that  is also honestly considered to be quite a symbol of virility and masculinity in cocktail culture. The Dirty Martini is one of the most popular cocktails in the world, but alas, the heavy olive-filled flavor of it really isn't for everyone.  If you enjoy the strong, salty brine that is characteristic of this cocktail on the other hand, it becomes quite a fantastic drink.

This cocktail itself makes fantastic use of salty flavors in a drink mix. When you stop and think about it a little, "salty" really isn’t a flavor you would expect someone to want in a cocktail. However, when used tn the right mixes, it actually ends up turning out quite well.  The Dirty Martini is one instance where it turns out very well indeed.  When making it in a classical style, you should be quite generous with the Gin:Vermouth ratios, as it was created with the ability of the olives to enhance the “dry” qualities of the Martini in mind.  If you simply like the taste of olives in your Martinis on other hand, feel free to dilute the Base to Vermouth to relatively wet ratios of 2:1 or even 1:1.  You could even use vodka for its subtle flavor, although I highly recommend against it for this mix.

To mix the drink, simply stir the liquid ingredients with ice, and strain it into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass of choice.  Spear the desired number of olives together(Don't use an even number of olives, it's bad luck!), and stick the skewer into the cocktail.  Serve the cocktail either on the rocks or strain it into a chilled cocktail glass.  As usual, kick back, take a sip, relax, and enjoy your drink.

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