Dirty Martini

Name: Dirty Martini
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Western
Ingredients: 75 ml (2½ oz) dry gin; 15 ml (½ oz) dry vermouth, Noilly Prat Original and Dolin Dry are classic choices; 15–30 ml (½–1 oz) brine from green olives; 3 green olives, classic green ones stuffed with red capsicum; 2 cups ice; Instead of olive brine, use one of these; classic martini, leave out the olive brine

Two clear martinis garnished with green olives, one held above a tray. — Dirty martinis garnished with green olives.

A classic gin martini gets a savory, salty edge from green olive brine. Stir it with ice for a clear, silky cocktail, then garnish with green olives.

By Cookin' KitchenSeptember 30, 2026Updated October 19, 2026

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Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

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Recipe

Dirty Martini

A classic gin martini gets a savory, salty edge from green olive brine. Stir it with ice for a clear, silky cocktail, then garnish with green olives.

Cookin' · https://cookin.club/recipes/dirty-martini

Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

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Ingredients

1 serving

For 1 serving

Dirty Martini

75 ml (2½ oz) dry gin
15 ml (½ oz) dry vermouth, Noilly Prat Original and Dolin Dry are classic choices
15–30 ml (½–1 oz) brine from green olives
3 green olives, classic green ones stuffed with red capsicum
2 cups ice
Instead of olive brine, use one of these

Olive brine alternatives

classic martini, leave out the olive brine

Equipment

Martini glass
Skewer
Mixing glass or measuring jug
Bar spoon or table knife

Instructions

Method

Step 1: Chill a martini glass in the fridge or freezer until very cold. A glass around 150–200 ml (5–7 oz) is ideal.
Step 2: Thread the olives onto a skewer.
Step 3: Fill a mixing glass about 500 ml (2 cups) in size, or a measuring jug, nearly to the top with ice. Pour in the gin, vermouth and olive brine. Use a bar spoon or table knife to stir briskly for 30 seconds, circling around the outside of the glass.
Step 4: Strain straight away into the chilled glass so the drink does not dilute further. Add the olive skewer and serve.

Notes

Variations

For a spicy note, use pickled jalapeño brine instead of, or alongside, the olive brine. Peperoncini, pickle, cornichon or caper brine are other options. For a classic martini, leave out the olive brine.

If you do not have ice, the recipe notes suggest mixing the gin, vermouth and brine with 2 teaspoons of water, then chilling the mixture in the fridge or freezer before pouring it into a chilled glass.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 205 kcal
Fat: 2 g
Saturated fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Sugar: 0.1 g
Fiber: 0.4 g
Protein: 0.1 g
Sodium: 623 mg

Estimated values; they will vary with the exact ingredients and brands you use.

About this recipe

Olive brine softens the sharpness of gin and adds a savory, salty note to this classic martini. Stir the drink with ice for a clear, smooth cocktail, then garnish with green olives.

Two martinis on a table and a person tasting a martini. — Martinis enjoyed at a table.

Start with 15 ml of olive brine, then add more to taste; the saltiness and olive flavor can vary. Choose a dry vermouth and a London Dry gin, or another gin that is not strongly floral or fruity.