Dirty Martini
The Dirty Martini is a bar standard outside the IBA list: 4 ingredients, stirred in a mixing glass and served in a martini glass. That makes 121 ml in the glass: a middling measure.
MethodStirred in a mixing glass
GlassMartini glass
In the glass121 ml
Strength25.3%
Ingredients
- 60 mlgin
- 22.5 mldry vermouth
- 15 mlolive brine
- 1.6 mlAngostura Bitters
Method
- Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish: Garnish with a green olive.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- Properly dry: the 23rd least sweet of 186, and what stays in the mouth is the spirit.
- round → sour
- It tends round: 151st of 186 for acidity, and what little acid there is comes from olive brine.
- light → strong
- In the finished glass, melted ice included, it runs 25.3%: 25th of 186, stronger than 87% of the catalogue.
It is the longest of its group: 121 ml against the 81 of its nearest neighbour.
Five that come close
- TuxedoWith Old Tom Gin in place of gin and shorter by 39 ml.
- MartinezRounder and with sweet red vermouth in place of dry vermouth.
- CardinaleMore bitter and with Campari in place of olive brine.
- Hanky PankyMore bitter and rounder.
- Rob RoyRounder and built on whisky.
Every drink near the Dirty Martini on the map
Recipe source: Difford's Guide · checked on 3 November 2026