What I love about cuisine is the incredible flexibility it offers, allowing us to seamlessly blend food and drink in innovative ways. Take, for instance, the concept of the Dirty Martini Dip.
Contents
Dirty martini dip recipe
Dirty Martini Dip is a creamy appetizer inspired by the classic Dirty Martini cocktail, known for its salty and briny flavors. This dip combines ingredients that reflect the essence of a dirty martini, such as briny olive juice, tangy pickles, and sometimes even a hint of dry vermouth.
This Dirty Martini Dip is made of different ingredients like cream cheese or sour cream as a base, along with minced garlic, chopped olives, pickles, capers, and seasonings like pepper, onion powder, or dill. Some versions may be smooth and creamy, akin to a traditional dip, while others might feature chopped olives or pickles for added texture and crunch.
Here’s how to make the Dirty Martini Dip:
Dirty Martini Dip
Ingredients
Best Dirty Martini Dip without vodka
- 1 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup chopped green olives
- 2 tbsp olive juice (olive brine) from the jar of olives
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Dirty Martini Dip with vodka
- 1 cup green olives pitted and chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tbsp olive brine or olive juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Dirty Martini Dip without vodka
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth and well combined.
- Add in the chopped green olives, olive brine, crumbled blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Taste the dip and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve the Dirty Martini Dip with your choice of dippers such as crackers, breadsticks, or vegetable sticks.
Dirty Martini Dip with vodka
- In a food processor, combine the chopped green olives, cream cheese, vodka, sour cream, crumbled blue cheese, olive brine, minced garlic, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Pulse until well blended and smooth.
- Taste the dip and season with salt and pepper as desired. Adjust the consistency by adding more sour cream if needed.
- Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with crackers or breadsticks
You can garnish the dip to make it visual appeal:
- Olive skewers: Thread three different olive varieties on cocktail picks
- Lemon twist: Create a citrus spiral for a pop of color
- Microgreens: Sprinkle delicate herbs for a fresh touch
Pairing suggestions
Dippers
1. Crunchy vegetable sticks: provide refreshing contrast
- Celery sticks: Their natural saltiness echoes the brine
- Carrot batons: Offer a sweet counterpoint
- Bell pepper strips: Add a vibrant crunch and mild sweetness
2. Crackers and crostini: offer textural variety
- Water crackers: Neutral base that lets the dip shine
- Whole grain crackers: Add nutty depth
- Olive oil crostini: Complement the Mediterranean flavors
- Sesame seed crackers: Provide a subtle nuttiness
3. Pita chips and breadsticks: are perfect for those who prefer a heartier scoop
- Toasted pita triangles
- Grissini breadsticks
- Za’atar-spiced pita chips
4. Pretzel twists and rods: contribute to salty crunch. The inherent saltiness of pretzels harmonizes with the dip’s briny profile.
- Classic pretzel twists
- Pretzel rods for easy dipping
- Flavored pretzel pieces garlic or herb for added complexity
Appetizers
1. Charcuterie board elements cured meats, cheeses
| Cured Meats | Cheeses |
| Prosciutto | Aged Gouda |
| Salami | Sharp Cheddar |
| Coppa | Blue Cheese |
| Bresaola | Manchego |
2. Stuffed olives and pickled vegetables
Stuffed olives echo dip’s briny essence. To reinforce the olive theme, include:
- Blue cheese-stuffed olives
- Garlic-stuffed olives
- Almond-stuffed olives
Pickled vegetables provide tangy contrast:
- Cornichons
- Pickled onions
- Marinated artichoke hearts
3. Bruschetta and crostini variations
Bruschetta offers fresh counterpoint. I like to balance the rich dip with lighter toppings:
- Classic tomato and basil bruschetta
- White bean and rosemary crostini
- Roasted red pepper and goat cheese bruschetta
4. Mini sandwiches and sliders
Mini sandwiches add a substantial element. For heartier appetites, include bite-sized sandwiches:
- Cucumber and cream cheese tea sandwiches
- Smoked salmon and dill sliders
- Caprese skewers a deconstructed sandwich on a stick
Beverages
1. Classic martinis dry, dirty, vodka, gin
- Extra dirty vodka martini
- Classic gin martini with a twist
- Perfect martini equal parts dry and sweet vermouth
2. Other cocktails
- Bloody Mary: Echoes the savory, briny notes
- Gibson: Highlights the onion undertones in the dip
- Vesper: Offers a sophisticated, complex pairing
3. Wine pairings
| Wine Type | Specific Recommendations |
| Dry White | Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis |
| Sparkling | Brut Champagne, Prosecco |
| Rosé | Dry Provençal Rosé |
4. Non-alcoholic options
- Virgin Mary non-alcoholic Bloody Mary
- Sparkling water with olive brine and lemon twist
- Cucumber and mint spritzer
Variations
1. Spicy Dirty Martini Dip
Spicy version adds heat dimension. The heat from the horseradish and peppers complements the briny olive flavor beautifully, creating a more complex and exciting dip. You can add to the recipe:
- 1 tsp horseradish
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
2. Vegan adaptation
Replace the ingredients with vegan alternatives:
- Vegan cream cheese, such as Kite Hill or Miyoko’s
- Vegan mayonnaise, such as Vegenaise or Hellmann’s Vegan Mayo
- Vegan sour cream, like Tofutti or Forager
- Vegan blue cheese, such as Follow Your Heart Blue Cheese
3. Lower-fat Dirty Martini Dip
Ingredient swaps reduce calorie content. These substitutions maintain the creamy texture while cutting down on fat and calories.
| Ingredient | Lower-Fat Alternative |
| Cream cheese | Neufchâtel cheese or low-fat Greek yogurt |
| Sour cream | Low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt |
| Mayonnaise | Light mayonnaise or mashed avocado |
4. Sweet and savory twists on the classic
Sweet-savory fusion expands flavor horizons. For those who enjoy unexpected flavor combinations, you can add these ingredients to make unique variations:
- 2 tbsp fig jam to the base recipe
- 1/4 cup caramelized onions and a pinch of thyme
- 1 tsp lemon zest and 1 tbsp chopped preserved lemon
