Clara Bennett Nigella Green, Mean, Dirty Martini is made with gin or vodka, dry white vermouth, and the vibrant green cucumber brine left from salting cucumbers. This recipe creates a briny, herbal twist on the classic dirty martini—crisp, savory, and stunningly fresh. It takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves 1.
Nigella Green, Mean, Dirty Martini Ingredients
- 60ml gin or vodka (4 x 15ml tbsp)
- 15ml dry white vermouth (1 x 15ml tbsp)
- 30ml cucumber brine from salted cucumbers (2 x 15ml tbsp)
- Ice cubes, for shaking
How To Make Nigella Green, Mean, Dirty Martini
- Chill the Glass: Place a martini glass in the freezer to get it ice cold.
- Combine Ingredients: Add gin (or vodka), vermouth, and cucumber brine to a cocktail shaker.
- Add Ice and Shake: Drop in a generous amount of ice cubes and shake vigorously.
- Strain and Serve: Strain into your chilled martini glass.
- Optional Toast: Raise your glass with a Scandinavian “Skål!”
Recipe Tips
- Use Cucumber Gin: For a botanical boost, opt for a cucumber-distilled gin.
- Make It Nordic: Aquavit is a great alternative for a deeper Scandi note.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: A cold glass keeps the martini crisp and bracing.
- Shake Hard: Proper shaking chills and dilutes just the right amount.
What To Serve With Green, Mean, Dirty Martini
This bold martini is perfect before dinner with smoked salmon, rye bread, pickled vegetables, or salty appetizers like olives and nuts. It’s also brilliant alongside cucumber salads or Nordic small plates.
How To Store Green, Mean, Dirty Martini
Refrigerate: Best made fresh, but the components can be mixed and stored in the fridge for a few hours.
Freeze: Not recommended; ice dilution is best when made fresh.
Green, Mean, Dirty Martini Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 180
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
FAQs
Can I use vodka instead of gin?
Yes, either works—vodka gives a cleaner taste, gin adds botanical depth.
What is cucumber brine?
It’s the leftover salty liquid from salting cucumbers (like in Nigella’s Scandi Cucumber Salad).
Is this really better than olive brine?
Absolutely—it’s fresher, less salty, and adds a unique vegetal twist.
Can I batch this for a party?
Yes, mix up a pitcher, chill well, and shake individual servings with ice.
Can I skip the vermouth?
For a drier drink, yes—but vermouth adds a subtle complexity that’s worth including.
Nigella Green, Mean, Dirty Martini
Description
A briny twist on the classic dirty martini, this bold cocktail swaps olive brine for cucumber pickle juice—crisp, fresh, and utterly invigorating.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chill martini glass in freezer
- Add all ingredients to shaker with ice
- Shake vigorously
- Strain into cold glass
- Serve immediately
Notes
- Use cucumber-infused gin for extra flavor
- Aquavit makes a great regional twist
- Don’t skip chilling the glass—it matters
- Fresh cucumber brine is key—don’t use store pickle juice