How to Make Rich & Savory Olive Oil Martinis

Revolutionize your usual martini menu with a kitchen staple: olive oil.

Published August 31, 2023
Olive Oil Martini

Come, take a seat at the martini bar. Order your usual gin martini with a lemon twist or a dirty vodka martini with blue cheese-stuffed olives. Or consider this: lean into the rich and smooth flavors of an olive oil martini. It takes only a touch of planning, but then this creamy and savory martini will be ready in a snap. 

Olive Oil Martini

Olive Oil Martini

It's a simple upgrade that makes a huge difference in flavor and mouthfeel of a martini. Using olive oil fat-washed gin or vodka (instructions follow) turns your traditional martini into an elevated and smooth experience. 

Ingredients

Instructions 

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a mixing glass, add ice, olive oil gin, dry vermouth, and if desired, bitters.
  3. Stir rapidly to chill.
  4. Strain into the chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with an olive or a lemon twist.

How to Fat Wash Vodka or Gin With Olive Oil

Pouring extra virgin olive oil in a glass bowl

It's quick and easy to fat-wash your gin or vodka with olive oil. You probably have all the ingredients and tools you need on hand. 

Ingredients

  • 750 mL gin or vodka
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 

Instructions 

  1. In a large jar or container, add olive oil and spirit.
  2. Cover, then shake well to mix.
  3. Leave it in a cool, dark place for approximately 12 hours.
  4. Place the covered container in the freezer.
  5. Allow to chill for approximately 12 hours.
  6. After chilling, strain the olive oil from the top.
  7. Strain the fat-washed spirit through cheesecloth. Repeat until the spirit is smooth. 
  8. Store in clean bottle or container.
  9. Cover and store in a cool, dry place. 
@thirstywhale__ Olive Oil Washed Martini #martini #vodka #gin #jamesbond #oliveoil #classiccocktail #oldfashioned #manhattan #bartender #bartok #cocktail #cocktails  Help - The Beatles Tribute Project

Quick Olive Oil Gin Martini

drinks liquor decoration

If you don't want to wait for the infusion, you can quickly shake up an olive oil martini, but you'll want to use far less oil.

An alternative to shaking in the olive oil is to add a small splash to the martini glass and swirl it around the sides of the glass. But don't discard that gold! 

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gin or vodka
  • ¾ ounce dry vermouth
  • ¼ ounce extra virgin olive oil
  • Ice
  • Olive for garnish

Instructions 

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, dry vermouth, and olive oil.
  3. Shake vigorously to chill and mix.
  4. Double strain into the chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with an olive. 
@bevsbybeverly Obsessed with this olive oil so decided to try it in a martini  @getgraza #oliveoil #martini #olives #drinksmaking #martinis #cocktailrecipesforyou moan - eevee

Olive Oil-Washed Martini With Rosemary 

Smoked Rosemary Oil Dirty Martini

The secret to an olive oil martini with a woodsy vibe is just a touch of fresh rosemary. And then you'll swear you're walking through a forest. 

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces oil-washed gin or vodka
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth
  • 1 rosemary sprig, roughly chopped
  • Ice
  • Olives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, olive oil spirit, dry vermouth, and rosemary.
  3. Shake well to chill and muddle rosemary while shaking.
  4. Double strain into the chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with olives. 

Lemon Olive Oil Martini

Lemon Olive Oil Martini

A squeeze of lemon juice will add a touch of brightness to your olive oil martini — and with none of the pucker or heartburn. 

Ingredients

  • 1½ ounces olive oil vodka or gin
  • 1 ounce dry vermouth
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Olive for garnish

Instructions 

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, olive oil vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and lemon juice.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Double strain into the chilled glass.
  5. Garnish with an olive. 

Shaking Up Tradition With Olive Oil

There's a certain level of respect when it comes to crafting a martini. It's incredibly personal, after all. Art is highly subjective, and a martini is no different. But, like art styles, sometimes it's best to try something new. So before you head to your bar cart, stop by the kitchen for some olive oil. 

How to Make Rich & Savory Olive Oil Martinis