Japanese Bermutto Dirty Martini

This cocktail is my Japanese twist on a classic Dirty Martini, made with Japanese gin, Oka Kura Bermutto, and a splash of Mezzetta olive brine. Oka Kura Bermutto isn’t a traditional vermouth - it’s crafted from aromatized, shochu-fortified sake instead of wine. That base gives it a softer, rounder profile with gentle umami and floral notes, compared to the sharper wine-driven vermouths typically used in American olive martinis. Even with those delicate nuances, the drink stays unmistakably spirit-forward. The result is a Dirty Martini that’s savory but beautifully balanced - smooth, delicate, and surprisingly easy to love, even for someone who doesn’t usually reach for an olive martini.

Ingredients:

• 2-2.5 oz Japanese gin

• 0.5 oz japanese vermouth (I used Japanese Bermutto)

• 0.5 oz olive brine - I used the Mezzetta Martini Olives brine

• Optional: garnish with olives with caviar

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, vermouth, and olive brine.

2. Add ice and shake.

3. Strain the mixture into your preferred cocktail glass.

4. Optional: garnish

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