The real difference between a dirty martini and a disgusting martini
Dirty, extra dirty, or disgusting: these are the terms that any martini expert distinguishes, and that you should know before ordering one.
Martini lovers are very particular about its preparation, and with good reason. This iced drink adapts to each person's taste like a glove.
Even if you're not very familiar with martinis, you've probably heard that they're ordered in different ways. Traditionally, they're made with gin and vermouth, although over the years vodka has become increasingly popular as a substitute for gin. They're often garnished with a skewer of green olives, pickled onions, or a lemon wedge.
Those who prefer the taste of green olives will enjoy a dirty martini, which contains a splash of olive brine, generally one part brine to two parts vermouth. An extra dirty martini contains roughly equal amounts of brine and vermouth. In some cases, the brine completely replaces the vermouth, while other dirty martinis retain a small amount.
Beyond dirty and disgusting, there are other terms. "Shaken, not stirred" is the most well-known phrase, thanks to Mr. Bond, but the martini has more to offer.
A dry martini contains less dry vermouth, and an extra-dry martini omits the vermouth altogether, allowing the flavor of the gin or vodka to shine through. A wet martini contains more dry vermouth, and an extra-wet martini contains equal parts gin or vodka and vermouth. If you don't like dry vermouth, you can order a sweet martini, and if you don't like olives, a martini with pickled onions is known as a Gibson martini.
The exact proportion of vermouth, brine, and gin or vodka is what determines which martini is preferred.