Dirty Mediterranean Recipe

Chill glass

Place a martini/coupe glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure the glass is well chilled.

If your Kalamata olives are not already feta-stuffed, drain jarred Kalamata olives, pat dry, and stuff with small cubes of feta or use pre-stuffed olives.

Measure and combine

Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing tin with 1 cup of ice. Add 2 oz Tito's Handmade Vodka, 0.75 oz Kalamata olive brine, and 0.25 oz dry vermouth.

Shake for clarity and chill

Secure the shaker and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the shaker is very cold and slightly frosted. Shaking introduces dilution and integrates the olive brine for a cloudy (dirty) appearance typical of a 'dirty' martini.

Strain

Discard ice from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled martini/coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any small olive particulates or ice shards.

Skewer 3 feta-stuffed Kalamata olives on a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim of the glass or drop the olives into the drink.

If desired, express a lemon twist over the surface of the cocktail and discard or rest the twist on the rim for a subtle bright note that complements the brine.

Optionally finish with a very light sprinkle of coarse cracked black pepper over the olives or the surface of the drink to add an aromatic hint. Serve immediately.