Olive Juice

The difference between a Martini and a Dirty Martini is olive juice — that salty, briny liquid from the olive jar. How much you add determines how “dirty” the drink gets: a quarter ounce is subtle, a full ounce is filthy. Olive juice from quality olives like Castelvetrano makes a noticeably better drink than the generic supermarket stuff. Some bars now stock Dirty Sue or Filthy brand olive brine specifically designed for cocktails. It also sneaks into savory Bloody Mary variations and pairs surprisingly well with tequila.

Last modified on October 15, 2026