How to Make a Dirty Dill Pickle Martini 

An easy and deliciously dilly Dirty Pickle Martini Recipe! Ready in minutes, and easily scaled up for a party!

JUMP TO RECIPE

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

An extra dirty (and dilly) Pickle Martini recipe

A fun twist on a classic dirty martini, this Dill Pickle Martini recipe swaps olive brine for dill pickle juice, muddled pickles, and fresh dill!

I love a traditional dirty martini, but like any pickle lover, the swap to pickle brine for this cocktail speaks to my pickle obsession. If you've got a jar of pickles, you're halfway to a delicious, dilly cocktail!

Ingredients

This easy Pickle Martini recipe calls for just a few ingredients, and a bit of prep. Here's what you'll need to make the cocktail:

• Ice, for an extra cold and delicious martini. You'll want enough to fill the cocktail shaker.
• Plain vodka. I love Stateside or Grey Goose, but any of your favorite vodkas will do!
• Dill pickle juice, or brine from a jar of pickles. Use pickles whose flavor you enjoy. I love Claussen Kosher Dill Pickles.
• Dry vermouth. This is optional, if you aren't a Vermouth fan, leave it out.
• Fresh dill, for muddling, as well as garnish.
• Pickles, for muddling into the cocktail, and garnishing.
• Angostura Aromatic Bitters (optional, but recommended for a a balanced cocktail). It adds just a hint of bitterness to round out the strong pickle brine flavor.

How to Make a Dirty Dill Pickle Martini

These Dirty Dill Pickle Martinis are super fast and easy to make! Here's how to do it:

1. Chill martini glass in the freezer for 15-20 minutes prior to preparing for an extra cold martini.
2. Muddle pickle slices and 2-3 sprigs of dill in a cocktail shaker to release all the flavor and juices (you want to really break them up).
3. Add in pickle juice/brine, vodka and dry vermouth, and fill cocktail shaker with ice. 
4. Shake well for about 1 minute or until cocktail shaker is nicely chilled.
5. Take the chilled martini glass out of the freezer. Pour the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into the chilled martini glass. 
6. Garnish with a prepared cocktail pick with a cocktail pickle (or pickle slices), and a sprig of fresh dill, if desired. (see recipe card below for full instructions and ingredients list).

Tools for the perfect martini

• A good cocktail shaker.
• Beautiful martini glasses.
• A muddler.
• Cocktail picks.

Substitutions and Additions

This Dill Pickle Martini recipe is easily adapted to fit your personal preferences, and work with what you have on hand in your refrigerator and pantry. Here are some good swaps and additions you can use to make this recipe your own!

• Try a mix of olive juice and pickle juice for a hybrid pickle dirty martini!
• Experiment with different brines for unique pickle flavor! Try garlic dill pickles, sweet pickles, spicy pickles (spicy brine = spicy martini), horseradish pickles, or even homemade dill pickles!
• Swap the vodka for gin!
• Not a fan of bitters or vermouth? Leave them out!
• Try orange bitters instead of aromatic bitters.

Can the Pickle Martini recipe be made ahead of time?

Yes! The cocktail(s) can be made up to a few days in advance, and stored in the refrigerator. Shake well before serving!

How to make a large batch for a party

If you want to make a BIG batch for a party (served around 10 people), here's how to do it:

• Grind up 2-3 cups of pickle slices and about a packed cup of fresh dill in a food processor to create a coarsely ground paste. 
• Add to a large pitcher or drink dispenser. 
• Add one bottle vodka (750 ml). 
• Add 37-38 oz of pickle juice or pickle brine (a standard jar is about 32 oz). Sound like a lot? You can buy JUST PICKLE JUICE!
• Add 12 ½ oz of dry vermouth (if using). 
• Add Angostura aromatic bitters (add and taste for best results, if using). 
• Stir well. 
• Pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove and debris from the ground pickles and dill. 

More great cocktail recipes!

If you love this tasty Pickle Martini recipe, you'll love these great cocktails, too!

• Delicious Espresso Martinis with Baileys.
• A Cucumber Martini you can make with Gin, or vodka!
• A fun fall Pumpkin Spice Martini!
• Tangy and tart Cherry Vodka Sours.
• A party-perfect Lemon Drop Shot recipe!

© Jawns I Cooked. All images & content are the sole property of Jawns I Cooked. Please ask permission prior to using my photos. If you would like to share one of my recipes, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.