This dirty Greek martini is elevated with cucumber vodka and finished with a celery salted rim, stuffed olives, and a cucumber wheel for garnish.
Why this recipe works
This dirty Greek martini is a refreshing twist on a classic dirty martini, with cooling cucumber vodka and loads of salty, briney olive juice. I would consider this a stripped-down dirty martini as we’re not using vermouth here, which allows the cucumber vodka to stand out. It’s dry and puckery, but refreshing and clean at the same time.
My good friend Sarah is a bartender here in town, from whom this recipe was born. She put together this dirty Greek martini for a mutual friend who is Greek, and it was an instant hit. Over the years, Sarah and I have swapped cocktail ideas several times. For example, I made my French martini for her one day, and now she whips them up for me all the time. Fortunately, we get to share this martini with you all thanks to her!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
VODKA – We like the fresh flavor of cucumber vodka, but plain vodka or even a lemon or citrus vodka can be used instead.
OLIVE JUICE – Be aware of the olives you are buying and what they are packed in as you will need juice from the jar to make this martini. You want olive juice, not olives packed in oil. I initially made this mistake the first time around, and don’t want you to do the same!
How to Make Dirty Greek Martini
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Pour celery salt onto a small plate.
- Wet the rim of the glass with the cut side of a lemon.
- Gently press the rim of the glass in celery salt, making sure you get the whole rim.
- Thread a few olives onto cocktail picks.
- Add about a cup of ice to the cocktail shaker.
- Pour in cucumber vodka and olive juice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
- Strain cocktail into prepared martini glass.
- Add a cucumber wheel to the side of the glass and place cocktail pick with olive into the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Some cocktail purists will say that a dirty martini should not be shaken, only stirred with a bar spoon. We like shaking this one because of the various herbs and flavors that are in the olive brine. If you prefer to stir this cocktail, then you absolutely should! Shaking the ingredients with ice for 15-20 seconds ensures that the cocktail is properly chilled and diluted, and everything is combined well.
Serving Suggestions
Garnish your dirty Greek martini with regular pitted olives, kalamata olives, or stuffed olives. We personally love either feta stuffed olives or Greek medley olives here. Pimento or bleu cheese stuffed olives would also be excellent. Additionally add a cucumber wheel or lemon rind twist.
Serve with pita bread, hummus (or dirty martini dip), along with fresh vegetables, or pair with cheese and crackers. Enjoy!
More Martini Recipes
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Dirty Greek Martini
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 3 ounces cucumber vodka
- 1 ounce olive juice
- ice
Garnish
- celery salt
- 1 half lemon to wet the rim of the glass
- feta stuffed olives or Greek medley olives
- cucumber wheels
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- Exact nutrition facts will depend on what garnishes and type of olive juice you use. For more accurate information, refer to your individual packaging.
- We like the fresh flavor of cucumber vodka, but plain vodka or even a lemon/citrus vodka can be used instead.
- Be aware of the olives you are buying and what they are packed in as you will need juice from the jar to make this martini. You want olive juice, not olives packed in oil.
Instructions
- Pour celery salt onto a small plate.celery salt
- Wet the rim of the glass with the cut side of a lemon.1 half lemon
- Gently press rim of glass in celery salt, make sure you get the whole rim.
- Thread a few olives onto cocktail picks.feta stuffed olives
- Add about a cup of ice to the cocktail shaker.
- Pour in cucumber vodka and olive juice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.TIP – Shaking the ingredients with ice for 15-20 seconds ensures that the cocktail is properly chilled and diluted, and everything is combined well.3 ounces cucumber vodka, 1 ounce olive juice
- Strain cocktail into prepared martini glass. Add a cucumber wheel to the side of the glass and place cocktail pick with olive into the glass.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Some cocktail purists will say that a dirty martini should not be shaken, only stirred with a bar spoon. We like shaking this one because of the various herbs and flavors that are in the olive brine. If you prefer to stir this cocktail, then you absolutely should!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Amanda Davis
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