Dirty Martini Recipe | How To Make a Martini
Is there any cocktail that is more classic than a dirty martini recipe? It is one of the most famous cocktails around, partially due to James Bond’s famous line about this drink, “Shaken, not stirred.” But martini cocktails go back much farther than James Bond and they are one of the oldest spirits around.
The dry martini is a simple drink made from gin and vermouth. The dirty martini, on the other hand, is a much riskier type of drink made with a splash of olive brine in addition to vermouth and gin and, of course, garnished with some olives. The dirty martini’s origins began in 1901 with a New York bartender named John O’Connor.
The first dirty martini involved muddled olives. Only later on was olive brine used instead. It took a while for people to warm up to this strange and tangy drink (a few decades, actually) but eventually, it became one of the most beloved and famous cocktails around. President F.D.R. was even known to have them served at the White House from time to time.
The Details
While some people hate dirty martinis, others can’t get enough of them. Today, dirty martinis are more refined than ever and only the highest quality olive brine is used. In many places, bartenders may use vodka instead of gin. Whatever the case, the biggest benefit that dirty martinis have to offer is that they are extremely easy to make.
To learn how to make a martini, keep reading and check out the dirty martini recipe below.
Dirty Martini Recipe
- 2 ounces gin (or vodka)
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1/2 ounce olive brine
- Garnish: 1 to 3 olives
Before you start, make sure your mixing glass and drinking glass are both chilled in the freezer. A martini of any kind should be as cold as possible to achieve the perfect flavor. Once you mix the ingredients in the mixing glass, add in ice and stir for 30 seconds. This allows the ice to melt very slightly so the drink isn’t overwhelming.
Then, strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Traditionally, it is best to serve a dirty martini with an uneven number of olives, preferably 1 or 3. Once all that is done, you’ll have a perfectly delicious dirty martini cocktail for your enjoyment!
