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Pickle Martini

A bold, briny cocktail combining vodka, dry vermouth, and pickle juice, garnished with a pickled onion or olive.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces vodka use a neutral, smooth vodka rather than bottom-shelf
  • 0.5 ounce dry vermouth this adds complexity and dry notes
  • 0.5 ounce pickle juice freshly opened from a quality jar works best
  • 1 cup ice for chilling and stirring
  • 1 or 2 pickled onion or olive for garnish and flavor
  • Optional: fresh dill sprig or lemon twist for additional aromatics

Equipment

  • Cocktail mixing glass or shaker
  • Bar spoon or long-handled spoon
  • Jigger
  • Strainer (Hawthorne or julep style)
  • Martini glass or coupe glass
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Fill your martini glass with ice and cold water to chill, then set aside while preparing the drink.
  2. Pour 2 ounces vodka and 0.5 ounce dry vermouth into a mixing glass using a jigger to measure accurately.
  3. Add 0.5 ounce pickle juice to the mixing glass with the vodka and vermouth.
  4. Add 1 cup of ice to the mixing glass, filling it about three-quarters full.
  5. Stir the mixture with a bar spoon for 10 to 15 seconds until chilled and slightly diluted.
  6. Discard the ice water from the chilled martini glass.
  7. Strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass using a Hawthorne or julep strainer.
  8. Garnish with a pickled onion or olive on a cocktail pick, optionally adding a fresh dill sprig or lemon twist, and serve immediately.

Notes

Use pickle juice straight from the refrigerator and ensure all components are well chilled before mixing to maintain a crisp texture.