9 Best Gins For Your Dirty Martini, According To The Pros

Beefeater

Beefeater gin boasts a rich history that traces back to the 19th century and ranks among the top-selling gin brands globally, partly due to its adaptability in a variety of cocktails. It exemplifies a London dry gin, characterized by being distilled from a grain neutral spirit, utilizing only natural botanicals, with water added solely after the distillation process.

As a quintessential London dry gin, Beefeater is particularly well-suited for crafting a dirty martini. Its flavor profile is less dominated by juniper compared to some other gins, enhancing its compatibility for this cocktail. Brynn Smith, the head bartender at Bar Next Door in Los Angeles, shared with Chowhound her appreciation for Beefeater gin, highlighting its versatility as a bar essential. "Beefeater London dry mixes seamlessly with all types of cocktails, but it shines in a dirty martini," she noted.

Melina Meza, the beverage director at Level 8 in Los Angeles, also endorses Beefeater. She remarked, "[Beefeater's] juniper-forward notes and botanical blend beautifully enhance the salty kick of olive brine." According to Meza, it’s an excellent option for those who enjoy their martinis particularly dirty, meaning the drink includes an extra splash of olive brine.

Monkey 47

Monkey 47 is a gin crafted in Germany's Black Forest, named for its inclusion of 47 botanicals sourced from this mountainous area, with lingonberries being one of its standout ingredients. Although the brand was established in 2006, it has quickly gained a reputation as a premium spirit favored by many bartenders (and it's also this writer's top choice for gin). Emilio Lourdes, the assistant director of operations at the Andaz hotel in West Hollywood, considers Monkey 47 to be one of the finest gins available, particularly when he prepares a dirty martini for himself. "A martini is a liquor-forward drink," he noted. "For such a drink, you need an exceptional liquor."

Andres Jorges from Negroni Beverly Hills also praises Monkey 47, highlighting how its depth and balance complement the olive brine in a dirty martini. The gin features a peppery finish and subtle spice notes that enhance the cocktail, though it's advisable to use less brine to prevent overshadowing the gin's intricate flavors—especially important given its premium price.

Sipsmith

Sipsmith is a boutique distillery located in London, renowned for its exceptional gin offerings. Its flagship product, the London Dry Gin, has garnered numerous international accolades. Established in 2009, the company quickly attracted a loyal following and was soon acquired by Suntory Global Spirits.

The Sipsmith London Dry Gin features a harmonious blend of 10 botanicals, including coriander, cinnamon, and orange peel. This combination results in a well-rounded gin that showcases the classic London dry profile of robust juniper berries, complemented by hints of orange. Its smoother taste makes it an excellent choice for crafting a variety of cocktails.

Katie Stryjewski, the author of "Cocktails, Mocktails, and Garnishes from the Garden," emphasizes the importance of simplicity in cocktails. She believes that the classic approach is often the best. "The olive brine contributes significant flavor, which can overshadow the more delicate notes of a gin," she explains, adding that Sipsmith's gin is robust enough to complement the savory brine without clashing or being overwhelmed.

Ford's Gin

Ford's Gin is the result of a partnership between master distiller Charles Maxwell and seasoned British bartender Simon Ford, along with contributions from other leading bartenders globally. As such, this gin is designed with cocktails in mind. It is a London dry gin crafted from nine botanicals, including coriander, jasmine, and grapefruit peels, specifically formulated to enhance classic gin cocktails, including the dirty martini.

Mike Zell, a bartender at Girl & the Goat in Los Angeles, also favors London dry gins for his dirty martinis. One brand he consistently chooses is Ford's Gin. "When it comes to gin for dirty martinis, I usually opt for a London dry style with a strong juniper presence that complements the savory olive brine, rather than a western or new world style, which tends to have more citrus and floral notes that don't align with that flavor profile," he shared with Chowhound.

Amass Gin

Amass gin, crafted in California, is favored by many bartenders for its distinctive flavor profile, making it a top choice for dirty martinis. This unique spirit incorporates botanicals like reishi and lion's mane mushrooms, which contribute umami and savory notes that enhance the cocktail.

Chris Chernock, the beverage director at Asterid in Los Angeles, considers Amass his go-to gin for a dirty martini. "The botanicals in their gin blend perfectly with the briny olive juice," he remarked. Similarly, Ravin Buzzell, a bartender at The Delphi Hotel, praises Amass gin for its exceptional flavor profile. He noted that it’s delightful to enjoy on its own, while also providing a rich depth to mixed cocktails due to its array of herbs and spices.

The Botanist

The Botanist Gin is crafted from 31 unique botanicals, with 22 of them foraged from Islay, a 240-square-mile island in Scotland. This gin is produced by Bruichladdich Distillery, a renowned establishment famous for its single malt Scotch. Among the island-sourced botanicals are wild juniper berries, wood sage, and heather flowers. Cameron Dodge-White, the bar director at Holy Water in Los Angeles, particularly enjoys using it for dirty martinis.

Dodge-White shared with Chowhound that the gin possesses a natural salinity due to the distillery's proximity to the ocean, which complements the olive brine beautifully. He also appreciates the spirit's higher proof of 46% ABV. "The increased proof of Botanist really cuts through the brine in a dirty martini, ensuring your palate recognizes that you're enjoying a gin drink," Dodge-White noted.

Gin Mare

Gin Mare is a Spanish gin crafted in a country renowned for its olive oil production, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean in its flavor profile. This spirit is distilled with a variety of Mediterranean botanicals, including basil and rosemary, but its standout ingredient is Arbequina olives. The inclusion of these olives makes it a natural fit for a dirty martini, while its savory and herbaceous qualities enhance the drink's appeal.

Travis Parsley, the head bartender at the Nash Bar in the National Exchange Hotel in Nevada City, prefers to mix his dirty martini with Gin Mare. He stirs it to an ice-cold perfection and garnishes it with an olive spear on a rosemary stalk. "The brininess from the olive juice is beautifully complemented by the unique herbal blend in Gin Mare," Parsley shared with us.

Portobello Road savory gin

The Portobello Road Distillery, located in London, crafts its savory gin using the same botanicals found in its London dry variant, but enhances it with bergamot, rosemary, basil, and green olives. These herbs and fruits make it an ideal choice for a dirty martini. After the distillation process, a touch of sea salt is added, which beautifully enhances the flavors of the olive brine.

Liam Baer, the beverage director at Acme Hospitality in Santa Barbara, believes that many gins don't pair well with dirty martinis because the strong flavors of juniper or other botanicals can overpower or clash with the brine. While he generally prefers vodka for dirty martinis, he makes an exception for Portobello Road savory gin. As a result, he always keeps a bottle on hand for guests who request a gin-based dirty martini. "This gin incorporates olive and sea salt, and it doesn't have the same strong juniper flavor as other gins," Baer noted.

Pure Sardinia Solo Wild

Pure Sardinia's Solo Wild Gin stands out as a distinctive option in today's gin market. Unlike the typical blend of various botanicals found in most gins, this brand features only wild juniper berries sourced from Sardinia, which are steeped in local grain alcohol for 30 days. However, it is anything but monotonous. Solo Wild Gin presents a spicy character with the juniper flavor taking center stage, while also offering hints of herbs and citrus. Despite its singular botanical, the gin manages to evoke the essence of the Mediterranean, and what could be more Mediterranean than olives?

Marcelo Waldheim, the wine and beverage manager at Stella Ristorante in West Hollywood, shared with Chowhound that this gin is the restaurant's preferred choice for a dirty martini. "The herbal and savory notes of the gin enhance the olive brine, resulting in a more intricate and layered flavor profile," he explained. "This leads to a robust and savory dirty martini."