Step 1: Prepare the Glass
Start by chilling your martini glass. You can do this by filling it with ice and letting it sit for a minute or two while you prepare the rest of the drink. A cold glass ensures your martini stays crisp and refreshing.

Step 2: Mix the Cocktail
In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka and pickle juice. If you prefer a slightly more traditional martini flavor, you can add dry vermouth. Vermouth adds a touch of herbal complexity to the drink, but it’s not necessary if you want to keep the pickle flavor front and center. Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This chills the drink and helps mix the flavors.

Step 3: Strain and Serve
Once your cocktail is mixed, strain it into the chilled martini glass. You want a smooth, clear martini, so make sure to strain out all the ice and any pickle pulp.

Step 4: Garnish
To finish off your Dirty Pickle Vodka Martini, garnish with a pickle spear or a pickle slice on the rim of the glass. This adds to the presentation and gives an extra burst of pickle flavor as you sip.