Dirty Greek Martini

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.

1. Pour celery salt onto a small plate.
2. Wet the rim of the glass with the cut side of a lemon.
3. Gently press the rim of the glass in celery salt, making sure you get the whole rim.
4. Thread a few olives onto cocktail picks.
5. Add about a cup of ice to the cocktail shaker.
6. Pour in cucumber vodka and olive juice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
7. Strain cocktail into prepared martini glass.
8. 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

• Dirty Martini
• Espresso Martini
• Key Lime Pie Martini
• Bailey’s Chocolate Martini

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