Reconstructed Dirty Martini
Reconstructed Dirty Martini is a medium American recipe that serves 1. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by The Educated Barfly on YouTube.
Prep: 5 min | Cook: PT0M | Total: 10 min
Cost: $1.77 total, $1.77 per serving
Ingredients
- 4 dash Olive Bitters (Bitter Truth brand, adds savory depth)
- 1 oz French Blanc Vermouth (Lighter than typical dry vermouth)
- 5 drop MSG Solution (20% concentration) (Adds umami; dissolve 20g MSG in 100ml water)
- 2 oz Cucumber‑Forward Gin (Mhalland Gin or Hrix; bright cucumber flavor)
- 1 strip Lemon Peel (Fresh, for garnish and aromatic citrus note)
- 1 cup Ice (Cubed, for stirring and chilling glass)
Instructions
Chill the Glass
Place the martini glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water for at least 2 minutes.
Time: PT2M
Add Ice to Mixing Glass
Fill the mixing glass three‑quarters full with ice cubes.
Time: PT0M
Add Olive Bitters
Measure 4 dashes of olive bitters and add them to the mixing glass.
Time: PT0M
Add Vermouth
Pour 1 oz of French Blanc vermouth over the ice.
Time: PT0M
Add MSG Solution
Add 5 drops of the 20 % MSG solution.
Time: PT0M
Add Gin
Measure 2 oz of cucumber‑forward gin and add to the mixing glass.
Time: PT0M
Stir to Chill and Dilute
Stir gently with a bar spoon for about 20‑30 seconds until the mixture is well‑chilled.
Time: PT30S
Strain into Chilled Glass
Discard the ice from the mixing glass, then strain the cocktail into the pre‑chilled martini glass.
Time: PT0M
Garnish
Express a lemon peel over the drink, rim the glass with it, then drop the peel into the cocktail.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 150
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbohydrates
- 1 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
Dietary info: Gluten‑free, Vegetarian
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Olive Bitters: Olive tincture, Olive brine
- Instead of French Blanc Vermouth: Dry vermouth
- Instead of MSG Solution (20% concentration): MSG powder dissolved in water
- Instead of Cucumber‑Forward Gin: Any quality gin
- Instead of Lemon Peel: Lemon twist
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Martini/Coupe Glass
- Peeler (optional)
- Ice Bucket (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Chilling the serving glass
- Proper stirring time to achieve correct dilution
- Accurate measurement of MSG drops
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use a fresh lemon peel; the oils add brightness without extra acidity.
- If you cannot find cucumber‑forward gin, add a thin slice of cucumber to the mixing glass for 30 seconds before stirring.
Troubleshooting
Drink is too strong or not diluted enough.
Stir a few seconds longer or add a few more ice cubes during stirring.
Bitters flavor overwhelms the cocktail.
Reduce to 3 dashes or use a milder olive tincture.
MSG taste is noticeable or off‑putting.
Ensure the MSG solution is properly diluted (20 %); use only 3‑4 drops.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftover vermouth and bitters in the refrigerator; consume within 1 month.
Freezer: Do not freeze any of the liquid components.
Room temperature: Keep gin, MSG solution, and olive bitters at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Pre‑chill the glass and have the MSG solution ready in a small dropper bottle.
- Measure bitters and vermouth into a small pitcher for quick assembly.
Last updated: August 24, 2026






