What is the Difference Between Martini and Dirty Martini

The main difference between martini and dirty martini is that martini is a cocktail that contains gin and vermouth while dirty martini is a martini that contains a splash of olive brine or olive juice.

Martini is one of the most well-known cocktails in the world. There are different versions of martini, such as wet martini, dry martini, and dirty martini. The difference between martini and dirty martini is a very slight one.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Martini 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is a Dirty Martini
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Martini and Dirty Martini
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Dirty Martini, Martini

What is a Martini

Martini is a cocktail that contains gin and vermouth. Gin is an alcohol distilled from grain or malt and flavoured with juniper berries, while vermouth is a wine flavoured with aromatic herbs, mainly made in France and Italy. Martini is garnished with a lemon twist and or an olive. It is one of the most well-known cocktails and best-known mixed alcoholic beverages. Martini is typically clean, dry, and aromatic. It has a clear colour since it only uses clear-coloured liquors. Furthermore, the martini is typically served in a special cocktail glass. It has a  triangular top with a tall stem and, commonly called the martini glass.

There are different versions of martini, such as wet martini, dry martini, and dirty martini. You make a dry martini with dry and white vermouth. In the twenties, it was a common drink order. During this time, the amount of gin to vermouth ratio was 2:1. Over time, there was a gradual decrease in the amount of vermouth. During the 1930s, the ratio was 3:1; during 1940s, the ratio was 4:1. A wet martini, on the other hand, contains more vermouth. Moreover, a 50-50 martini has equal amounts of gin and vermouth. Today, the most common recipe for a classic martini is 2 1/2 oz. gin to 1/2 oz. dry vermouth. After mixing these ingredients, you have to shake it with ice and strain it into a glass. Then you can garnish your martini with a lemon rind or an olive.

What is a Dirty Martini

A dirty martini is a martini that contains a splash of olive brine or olive juice. This olive gives acidity and salt to the martini. More interestingly, Franklin Roosevelt is credited with popularizing dirty martini.

If this cocktail is made well, it can be delicious, but if not well mixed, it can also taste too salty. Moreover, dry martinis are usually served with one or two olives in the glass.

Difference Between Martini and Dirty Martini

Definition

Martini is a cocktail that contains gin and vermouth while dirty martini is a martini that contains a splash of olive brine or olive juice.

Ingredients

While martini uses gin and vermouth, dirty martini uses gin, vermouth, and olive brine or juice.

Taste

Martini has a clean, dry, and aromatic taste while dirty martini has a slightly acidic or salty taste due to the addition of olive juice.

Colour

Moreover, the martini has a clear colour while the dirty martini has a slight yellowish/olive green tinge.

Conclusion

The main difference between martini and dirty martini is that martini is a cocktail that contains gin and vermouth while dirty martini is a martini that contains a splash of olive brine or olive juice.

Reference:

1. Denig, Vicki. “The Complete Guide To Every Type Of Martini: Different Types Of Martinis.” VinePair, 19 May 2017, Available here.
2. Bernard, Murrye. “Why Is It Called a Dirty Martini?” LoveToKnow, LoveToKnow Corp, Available here.
3. Zavatto, Amy. “6 Things You Should Know About the Martini.” Liquor.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Martini Cocktail” By Cocktailmarler – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Triple olive Dirty Martini – Evan Swigart” By Evan Swigart from Chicago, USA – Dirty Martini (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia