Spicy Hot and Dirty Martini

This spicy hot and dirty martini is an adventurous cocktail, perfect for happy hour! It is a spicy take on the popular dirty martini. This recipe is easily adjustable to your taste preference, and there are several variations available.

The hot and dirty martini is a variation of the classic dirty martini. Martinis are made with either gin or vodka and tend to be spirt forward. There are strong opinions on what spirt is “correct” however both are widely accepted at bars.

A vodka martini allows the flavors of the salty olive brine and hot sauce to come though. A gin martini has a more herbaceous flavor that combines with the olive brine and spice. There are also less traditional variations of martinis without olive juice such as a blueberry lemon drop martini or a seasonal chocolate peppermint martini.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Equipment Notes
• Ingredient Notes
• Dirty Martini Substitutions and Variations
• Step by Step Instructions
• Storage
• Top tip
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Cocktail Recipes You'll Love:
• Spicy Hot and Dirty Martini

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• The salty olive brine makes this a savory cocktail.
• This hot and dirty martini is easy to make and customize to your liking. 
• You can garnish it with fun items - blue cheese stuffed olives, jalapeños, banana peppers, pickles or a pepperoncini!

Equipment Notes

• Mixing glass or cocktail shaker - choose whether you want your cocktail stirred or shaken. 
• Skewer or toothpick - used to garnish the cocktail with olives.
• Strainer - you can use a hawthorn strainer or fine mesh strainer if mixing your cocktail.
• Mixing spoon - the long handle helps reach to the bottom of the glass to ensure the cocktail is mixed well. You will not need this if using a cocktail shaker.

What Glass Should I Use for a Martini?

A martini glass or a coupe glass are the best options to use. Both of these glasses are for serving drinks that go “up” or without ice. Martini glasses have a "v" shape while coupe glasses are more rounded. Each glass works well as a vessel for a spicy hot and dirty martini.

Ingredient Notes

• Vodka or gin - this is entirely based on your personal preference. Vodka is more neutral in flavor so you will taste more of the olive brine and hot sauce. Gin will add a botanical herbaceous element blending the other flavors a bit more
• Dry Vermouth - this is optional but I recommend using dry vermouth for a dirty martini. I use the Martini & Rossi brand. Vermouth can be omitted if you don’t have any or don’t like the taste.
• Olive brine - use the juice from a jar of green olives. Or you can use Barsmith olive brine.
• Hot sauce - you will need 2-3 dashes of your favorite hot sauce. I like using Franks RedHot for a classic cayenne taste, but you can also use jalapeño based hot sauces.

See recipe card for quantities.

Dirty Martini Substitutions and Variations

• Classic dirty martini - omit the hot sauce for the original classic version of this cocktail.
• Extra spicy - add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, or a dash or pepperoncini juice.
• Extra dirty/filthy - double the olive brine.
• Without vermouth - omit the vermouth from this recipe.
• Boozier - use the ratio of 3 oz vodka to 1 oz of vermouth and 1 oz of olive juice.
• Gluten free - use potato vodka such as Titos and a gluten-free hot sauce.
• Pickle dirty martini - replace the olive juice with pickle brine. Or do half pickle juice and half olive juice.

Step by Step Instructions

Hint:  If using gin instead of vodka I recommend stirring the ingredients together instead of shaking. Shaking gin causes the notes of juniper to diminish and change.

Storage

You can make hot and dirty martinis ahead of time and store them in the freezer! If doing so I recommend storing it in a large reusable bottle. The alcohol will prevent the martini from completely freezing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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