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Dirty Vodka Martini

This recipe guides you through crafting a classic Dirty Vodka Martini. Combining chilled vodka, dry vermouth, and a touch of savory Spanish olive brine, it's stirred to perfection and garnished with olives for a sophisticated and briny cocktail.
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Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: world
Calories: 210.7
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 3 oz. vodka
  • ½ oz. dry vermouth
  • ½ –1 tsp. Spanish olive brine
  • Spanish olives for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail Shaker With built-in or separate strainer
  • 1 Jigger For accurate measurement of liquids
  • 1 Bar Spoon For stirring
  • 1 Martini Glass Ideally chilled beforehand

Method
 

  1. Chill your martini glass by filling it with ice water or placing it in the freezer for at least 5 minutes.
  2. Add 3 oz. of vodka to a cocktail shaker.
  3. Add ½ oz. of dry vermouth to the shaker.
  4. Add ½–1 tsp. of Spanish olive brine to the shaker, adjusting to your preferred level of 'dirtiness'.
  5. Fill the shaker completely with fresh ice cubes.
  6. Stir the mixture vigorously with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds, until the shaker is well-frosted and the drink is thoroughly chilled.
  7. Discard the ice water from your chilled martini glass.
  8. Strain the chilled martini mixture directly into the prepared martini glass.
  9. Garnish with two or three Spanish olives, skewered on a cocktail pick if desired.

Notes

1. Always chill your martini glass thoroughly before mixing. A well-chilled glass maintains the drink's temperature longer, preventing premature dilution. You can do this by filling it with ice water or placing it in the freezer. 2. The quality of your ingredients is paramount. Use a high-quality vodka and a fresh, crisp dry vermouth. The olive brine significantly impacts the flavor; opt for brine from premium Spanish olives for the best savory notes. 3. While some prefer martinis shaken, stirring is generally recommended for spirit-forward cocktails like martinis to achieve a silky texture and prevent over-dilution or cloudiness. Stir until the shaker is thoroughly frosted. 4. Adjust the amount of olive brine to personal preference. Start with the smaller amount and add more if a 'dirtier' flavor is desired.