This Dill Pickle Vodka Martini is a fun twist on the traditional dirty martini. Made with just 3 ingredients – vodka (or gin), pickle juice and dry vermouth.
Right up there with my other favorite cocktails – the Aviation and the Bee’s Knees – is this Pickle Martini.
Many of our Friday nights have involved staying home with a filet mignon dinner, paired with baked potatoes and a couple of these martinis. It gives a whole new meaning to “Eating Good in the Neighborhood.”
We’ve also consumed several of these martinis while on happy hour zoom calls with our friends.
And though it’s a simple cocktail recipe – I’ve found that it’s a popular one. So, I wanted to share it with you today!
🍸 What’s in a Pickle Martini?
- Vodka (or Gin) – Since vodka is the primary ingredient in a martini, be sure to use a good quality vodka. I like Grey Goose or Tito’s. Or, substitute gin. Learn all about the differences between gin vs. vodka here.
- Dill Pickle Juice
- Dry Vermouth – a standard martini ingredient. See my tip below on how to use it. Or, you can leave it out for an “extra dry” martini.
- Pickle Garnish – You can garnish with a dill pickle spear, pickle slices, or cornichons.
📋 You Will Also Need
I love making these martinis with vodka, since it’s what Rick and I both prefer, but it would also be amazing with your favorite gin.
Some Pickle Martini recipes call for making a dill pickle vodka first by infusing the vodka. But I wanted to keep things simple with this recipe. All you need is some of the pickle brine from your pickle jar.
Also this recipe is super simple because the ratio is 4 parts vodka to 1 part pickle juice. I have found that different pickle brands have different brines that can be more or less salty, so you may need to adjust to your taste. Just add a bit more pickle juice if you’d like.
I add a splash of dry vermouth, as it is traditional in martini recipes. But as with my standard martini recipe, all I do is add a splash of the vermouth to my martini glass, give it a swirl to coat, then dump it.
This is my key to making a great dry martini. I learned it back in my bartending days.
🥒 How to Make a Pickle Martini
- Swirl dry vermouth in a martini glass. Then, dump the vermouth.
- Add vodka and pickle brine to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to chill.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a pickle spear.
- Cheers!
✔️ More Cocktail Recipes
- Creamy Coconut Mojito
- Aperol Sour
- Espresso Martini
- Italian Margarita
- Gin and Tonic with 3 Ways to Customize
- French 75
- Cherry Moscow Mule
Pickle Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- Dry vermouth
- 4 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce pickle juice
- Ice
- Pickle spears (to garnish)
Instructions
- Add a splash of dry vermouth to a martini glass. Swirl to coat, then dump out.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka and pickle juice. Shake for at least 30 seconds then strain into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with a pickle spear and enjoy.
Equipment
