[1] Pure olive juice is the best mixer for a Dirty Martini (photo © Sonoma Syrup Co).

[2] Most Dirty Martini lovers want more than one olive in their drink. You can also garnish a Dirty Martini with a sliver of roasted pepper, a preserved cherry pepper (photo © Our/New York Vodka | Facebook).

[3] Olive picks are another gift idea for the Martini lover. They can skewer Bloody Mary garnishes, too (photo © Williams Sonoma).

[4] More than plain or pimento, you can use any type of stuffed olives you like. Here, they’re stuffed with blue cheese. Chile pepper- and anchovy-stuffed olives are also good pairings (photo © Ruth’s Chris Steak House).

[5] Sure, you can upcycle the brine from a jar of olives. But maybe pick one of these other uses for it, and enhance a Dirty Martini with the real deal. Why? See the footnote† (photo © Lindsay Olives | FacebookFacebook).

[6] Instead of a Mimosa or Screwdriver: If you like a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese for brunch, a Dirty Martini pairs well with both cheese and smoked fish (photo © Good Eggsx).

If your cohort has made the Dirty Martini (photos #1, #2, #4) a favorite drink (our crowd has!), here’s a gift they’ll appreciate: a bottle of Dirty Martini olive juice brine from Sonoma Syrup.

The Dirty Martini adds olive brine to the classic Martini recipe, and has seen significant popularity growth in recent years.

The cocktail gained particular momentum during the 1990s and early 2000s, in tandem with the broader martini revival.

It remains one of the most commonly ordered Martini variations in bars and restaurants. Many establishments now offer different levels of “dirty,” referring to the amount of olive brine added.

Some mixologists even offer their own variations, using specially sourced or flavored brines.

Interestingly, bartenders report that the Dirty Martini is often one of the first Martini types that new Martini drinkers try.

That’s because the saltiness of the olive brine can make it more approachable than a classic dry Martini [source: Claude.ai 2024-11-14).

> The history of olives.

> The history of the Dirty Martini.

> The history of the Martini.

> Check out the Martini holidays below.

> James Bond Day is October 5th, another Martini holiday given the spy’s preference for Martinis, “shaken, not stirred.” Here’s the recipe for his Vesper Martini, called a Vesper for short.
 
 
SONOMA SYRUP CO.’S NO. #31 PURE CALIFORNIA OLIVE JUICE

This all-natural brine (photo #1) is handcrafted in small batches from California olives, using artisan techniques. It has been specially crafted for cocktail use, as opposed to using standard olive brine from a jar of olives (photo #5).

 
 
GET YOUR SONOMA SYRUP PURE OLIVE JUICE

> Head to the company website.

While you’re there, check out their numerous flavored simple syrups.

Fan favorites include Vanilla Bean, Lavender, Pumpkin Pie Latte, and other bar mixers including Classic Grenadine and Olive Mary Mix for Bloody Marys.
 
 
WAYS TO USE SIMPLE SYRUP IN BEVERAGES & FOOD

Whether plain or flavored, use simple syrup in:

 
> Check out the recipes at SonomaSyrup.com.

> Like to putter in the kitchen? > Make your own simple syrup.

> The different types of sugars and syrups: a photo glossary.
 
 
RECIPE: DIRTY MARTINI

Ingredients Per Drink

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the ingredients in a mixing glass with cracked ice and strain into a frosted Martini glass.

2. GARNISH and serve. Most Dirty Martini fans love olives, so several on an olive pick (photo #3) would be especially welcome.
 
 
MARTINI HOLIDAYS

> March 24: National Cocktail Day.

> June, second Saturday: World Gin Day.

> June, third Saturday: World Martini Day and National Martini Day.

> October 4: National Vodka Day.

> December 11: National Vodka Martini Day.
 
 
________________
 
*For cake: Bakers brush simple syrup on layer cakes to keep the crumb moist.

†The brine in olives typically contains salt, water, and either lemon (citric acid) or vinegar. But when you buy a quality olive juice made specifically for a Dirty Martini, it is crushed from top quality olives and lemons.

‡Vitamin C vs. Ascorbic Acid: While both can be considered preservatives in certain situations, citric acid, an acidic antioxidant, is generally considered the more prominent preservative compared to vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Citric acid as it is primarily used for its acidic properties to inhibit bacterial growth, whereas vitamin C acts more as an antioxidant to prevent color changes in the food.

‡‡Botanicals are plants or parts of plants (bark, flowers, leaves, roots, seeds) that have medicinal, therapeutic, flavor, or scent value. In their uses in foods and beverages, they provide the latter two properties. Beer, carbonated sodas, flavored waters, gin, and herbal teas are examples of categories that make use of them.