Dirty Tequila Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 05/13/21
Dirty Tequila Martini Cocktail

Bill Boch/Photolibrary / Getty Images

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

There are so many things to enjoy about the dirty tequila martini (or tequini). It's easy and there is the interesting flavor of tequila combined with olive brine; it's similar to gin but different enough to be intriguing.

Basically, this is a twist on both the tequini and the dirty martini and a reposado is going to be the best tequila to pair with the olive flavor. It is also wise to take it slow on the olive juice, pouring small amounts until you find the perfect pour to suit your taste.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces reposado tequila

  • 1 ounce dry vermouth

  • 1/2 ounce olive juice, or olive brine, to taste

  • 1 to 2 dashes orange bitters, to taste

  • Green olive, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the tequila, dry vermouth, olive juice, and orange bitters.

  3. Stir well.

  4. Strain into a cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a single olive on a cocktail pick. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Start with a smaller amount of olive juice then add more if you would like. It's a tricky flavor, especially with tequila, and you will likely need to make adjustments with different tequilas.
  • While bitters can often be optional in martinis, it is essential in this recipe. The orange bitters add a much-needed accent that marries the aged tequila and olive flavors together.
  • The old bar debate of shaken versus stirred applies to the dirty tequini as well. It is made primarily of liquor, so stirring would be the preferred mixing method. However, you may enjoy it shaken because the extra agitation will break up the ice more and soften the flavors.

Recipe Variations

  • There is a difference between olive brine and olive juice, though the names are often used interchangeably. Rather than pouring the brine from a jar of olives, try this cocktail with a dedicated olive juice. Some companies make the juice specifically for dirty martinis.
  • You can explore different types of tequila as well. The flavor of blanco (or silver) tequila might be a little too transparent for some tastes, but it's worth a try. If you go the other way, you'll find that the extra oak flavor añejo tequilas can be really nice against the olive flavor.
  • If you really want a punch of flavor, try this cocktail with mezcal. Make sure it's a premium brand, but that extra smokiness can be very interesting in this recipe.

How Strong Is a Dirty Tequila Martini?

Like most martinis, the dirty tequila martini is a pretty strong cocktail, which is why it's served at just under 4 ounces. When made with 80-proof tequila and 1/2 ounce of olive juice, you can expect its alcohol content to be around 24 percent ABV (48 proof). The olive does knock the strength down considerably; in comparison, a dry gin martini is about 62 proof.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
197 Calories
1g Fat
7g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 197
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 512mg 22%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 33mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)