If you love cocktails that are bold, briny, and packed with personality, you are going to fall head over heels for this Extra Dirty Martini Recipe. It’s a delicious twist on the classic martini, amping up the olive brine to give your drink a wonderfully savory kick that will make each sip irresistibly tangy and smooth. Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or impressing friends at your next gathering, this cocktail delivers sophistication with a cheeky edge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Extra Dirty Martini Recipe is delightfully simple, relying on a few high-quality ingredients that work harmoniously to bring out vibrant flavors and the perfect chill. Each element plays a vital role: the vodka forms a silky, clean base, the olive brine injects that signature briny punch, and the olives add the perfect finishing touch of salty goodness.
- Vodka (3 ounces): Use a good quality vodka like Grey Goose for the smoothest, cleanest foundation.
- Olive brine (1 ½ ounces): The heart of this recipe, it brings that unmistakable savory depth; feel free to add a bit more if you love it extra briny.
- Castelvetrano olives (4 for garnish): These olives are mild and buttery, perfect to complement the bold flavor of the martini and for nibbling.
- Ice: Essential for chilling and diluting the cocktail just right to balance all the flavors.
How to Make Extra Dirty Martini Recipe
Step 1: Chill Your Glasses
Start by placing your martini glasses in the freezer for at least fifteen minutes. Serving your martini cold is crucial—it keeps every sip crisp and refreshing, enhancing that silky texture we all crave.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Grab a cocktail shaker and pour in the vodka alongside the olive brine. Don’t forget to add plenty of ice. The ice is not just for chilling but also helps mellow out the briny punch and slightly dilutes the alcohol for a smoother finish.
Step 3: Shake It Up
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about thirty seconds. This action is your ticket to creating tiny ice crystals that give the martini its signature frosty texture and ensure the blend is perfectly mixed and chilled.
Step 4: Strain and Garnish
Strain the cold mixture into your pre-chilled martini glass. Finish by skewering four Castelvetrano olives on a cocktail pick and resting them in the drink. The olives not only look stunning but add an extra layer of savory flavor with every bite.
How to Serve Extra Dirty Martini Recipe
Garnishes
The classic garnish for this cocktail is the Castelvetrano olive, which is slightly sweeter and less bitter than traditional green olives, balancing the drink perfectly. Serving four olives feels indulgent and complements the extra dirty nature of the martini beautifully.
Side Dishes
This martini pairs wonderfully with salty, savory nibblers such as aged cheeses, mixed nuts, or charcuterie boards. The cocktail’s briny notes lift the flavors of these small bites, making your entire tasting experience shine.
Creative Ways to Present
For a stylish touch, try serving your martini with a twist of lemon peel instead of the olives sometimes, or rim your glass with a hint of smoked sea salt to elevate the drink’s complexity. You can also use flavored olive brines like garlic or chili for an exciting variation that keeps this extra dirty martini recipe feeling fresh and adventurous.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While cocktails are best enjoyed fresh, if you happen to make a little too much, store it in a sealed bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a gentle stir before serving to recombine the ingredients.
Freezing
Freezing this cocktail isn’t recommended due to the ice crystals formed when shaking—these contribute to the texture. Instead, keep your ingredients chilled separately and mix fresh for the best flavor and mouthfeel.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t suitable for the Extra Dirty Martini Recipe. This cocktail is designed to be icy cold, so warming it up would ruin the experience.
FAQs
Can I use gin instead of vodka in the Extra Dirty Martini Recipe?
Absolutely! Gin is a classic choice for martinis and adds botanical depth. However, since this recipe leans heavily on the briny olive brine, vodka’s neutrality typically shines best to let that flavor stand out.
How much olive brine makes a martini “extra dirty”?
For an extra dirty martini, the olive brine is typically increased to about one and a half ounces or more, compared to a “dirty” martini which uses less. It’s all about your personal preference, so feel free to experiment!
Are Castelvetrano olives essential for garnish?
Castelvetrano olives are highly recommended for their mild, buttery flavor and pleasing texture, but you can substitute with any green olives you love if they aren’t available.
Can I prepare the martini in advance for a party?
You can pre-mix the vodka and olive brine, then keep it chilled in the fridge. Just shake with fresh ice and strain into chilled glasses right before serving to maintain flavor and texture.
What glassware is best for this cocktail?
A classic martini glass is ideal for serving this recipe, as its wide, open rim allows you to enjoy the olives and the cocktail’s aroma simultaneously, enhancing the entire drinking experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about an expertly crafted martini, and this Extra Dirty Martini Recipe hits all the right notes with its punchy olive brine, silky vodka, and indulgent garnish. It’s perfect for those who love their cocktails with a bold personality and just enough saltiness to keep things interesting. So go on, give this recipe a try and celebrate the art of a great martini in your own home—you’ll be raising your glass to many happy evenings ahead!
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Extra Dirty Martini Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
Description
The Extra Dirty Martini is a bold and savory cocktail that enhances the classic martini with extra olive brine, delivering a rich and tangy flavor. Perfectly chilled and garnished with Castelvetrano olives, this drink is an elegant choice for olive lovers seeking a sophisticated twist on a traditional favorite.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 ounces vodka (preferably good quality like Grey Goose)
- 1 ½ ounces olive brine (add ½ ounce more to taste if desired)
- 4 Castelvetrano olives (for garnish)
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill the glass: Place your martini glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes to ensure they are thoroughly chilled before serving.
- Combine ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, pour vodka, olive brine, and fill the shaker with ice to the appropriate level.
- Shake the mixture: Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds; this chills the drink well and creates small ice crystals for a smooth texture.
- Strain into glass: Strain the chilled mixture into the martini glass, ensuring no ice shards get into the drink.
- Garnish: Skewer 4 Castelvetrano olives onto a cocktail pick and place it in the glass to garnish and enhance the olive flavor.
Notes
- Use quality vodka to ensure a smooth and clean taste.
- Adjust olive brine amount for desired ‘dirty’ intensity.
- Castelvetrano olives provide a mild, buttery flavor that complements the briny martini beautifully.
- Chilling the glass enhances the drinking experience by keeping the cocktail cold longer.
- Shaking creates a slightly cloudy appearance, a characteristic of a well-made dirty martini with ice crystals.
