Classic cocktail recipes are fantastic and they allow making amazing riffs that can elevate the traditional formula with unconventional things. The Dill Pickle Martini is a prime example of that and a beautiful creation.
Pickles in a cocktail? Admittedly, this sounds a little unorthodox, but this Dill Pickle Martini is a real treat.Â
Quick Facts Dill Pickle Martini
- Method: stirred
- Flavor profile: dry, sour, boozy
- How to serve it: Straight up
- Best glassware: Martini glass
- Alcohol content: ~ 29%, 21 grams of alcohol per serving
It's a simple and refreshingly different version of a Dry Martini. Even non-Martini people will likely enjoy this drink. And with only three ingredients, this cocktail is also really easy to make.
Equipment
- 1 Jigger
- 1 Mixing glass
- 1 Fine-mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 0.25 oz Martini dry Vermouth
- 0.25 oz Pickle juice
- 1 pcs Dill pickle for garnish
Instructions
- Add Gin and Vermouth into a mixing glass filled with ice. Use a fine-mesh strainer to add the pickle juice to the mixing glass.2 oz London Dry Gin, 0.25 oz Martini dry Vermouth, 0.25 oz Pickle juice
- Stir the mixture with a bar spoon until chilled. That will usually take about a minute.
- Strain the drink into a chilled Martini glass.
- Garnish with a speared pickle. Et Voila, your Pickle Martini is ready to be served.1 pcs Dill pickle for garnish
Nutrition
Ingredients of a Good Dill Pickle Martini
The list of ingredients is short and sweet. You only need gin, pickle juice, and vermouth. As with every craft cocktail, each element has to be of good quality. There's simply no way to hide the inferior quality of products in such drinks.
- Pickle Juice: That especially counts for the pickles part of this drink. For the freshest products of the right quality, you need to look in the cold section of your supermarket. Juices there contain lower amounts of preservatives than the canned ones on the regular shelves. Grillo's dill pickles, for instance, are a beautiful choice for this recipe.
- Base Spirit: We base our Dill Pickle Martini on gin. That is first and foremost due to the fact that I love gin and have a vast selection at home.
If you want to make a variation, you can also opt for a Vodka-based Martini. The measurements remain the same. Also, the results are comparable, but we find the gin version is slightly better. Try them both, and see which one is your favorite.
How does Pickle Juice taste in a Martini?
You will be able to taste a subtle vinegar note of the pickle brine while the flavor profile drink still has the makings of a proper Martini. And a truly excellent one, as well.
If you like it spicy, you can choose a spicy pickle and replace the standard pickle juice with it. That adds some interesting piquant notes that also work tremendously well.
Garnish for your Dill Pickle Martini
A Martini cocktail often comes with a garnish skewered on a cocktail pick. While a regular Martini is garnished with olives, you can stick with the pickle theme here.Â
So a pickle speared on a cocktail pick will top off this cocktail just perfectly. The dill pickle garnish adds a snappy aroma to the drink. It lifts the entire cocktail and makes it even more fun. -Not only for your tastebuds but also for your nose.
Tips & Tricks for Mixing
The trick to getting an exceptional Pickle Martini is the right balance between pickle juice and the other two ingredients. You don't want an overpowering vinegary taste in your cocktail. On the other hand, you definitely want to taste the pickle juice. It's a Dill Pickle Martini, after all.
To get the perfect result, use equal proportions of pickle juice and dry vermouth. That balances the flavors very well. Additionally, stick to these best practices:
- Like all Martinis, this cocktail comes straight up - without ice. Chill all ingredients in the fridge or the freezer before mixing.
- Consider chilling the Martini glass as well. - In the fridge or with ice cubes - discard them before pouring the drink.
- Stir for at least 20 seconds (50 rounds) to ensure the right amount of dilution. This cocktail is seriously boozy and needs that bit of water.
Related Cocktail Recipes
You are a fan of a good riff on a Martini? Then try one of these crowd favorites:
- The Vesper Martini, a creation by Bond author Ian Fleming
- The Espresso Martini for a kick of caffeine
- The Lavender Lemon Drop Martini, a classy mix of floral notes and citrus