How Many Carbs in a Dirty Martini?

November 12, 2025 •

5 min read

While standard nutrition can vary, a classic dirty martini generally contains very few carbohydrates, often less than 1 gram of net carbs, making it a popular choice for those on low-carb diets. The key to its low-carb profile lies in its main ingredients: gin or vodka, vermouth, and olive brine. However, the specific carb count can change depending on how the drink is prepared and the exact proportions used.

Quick Summary

A dirty martini is a very low-carb cocktail, primarily composed of distilled spirits, dry vermouth, and olive brine. The carb content is minimal, with the most significant contribution coming from the olive brine, not the liquor. This makes it an ideal option for those watching their carbohydrate intake, including people following a ketogenic diet. Variations in ingredients and portion sizes can slightly alter the nutritional information.

Key Points

Minimal Carbs: A dirty martini contains very few carbs, with most recipes resulting in a total of 1 to 5 grams depending on the amount of olive brine used.
Zero-Carb Base: The primary ingredients, gin and vodka, are distilled spirits with zero carbohydrates.
Brine is Key: The slight carbohydrate content comes mainly from the olive brine and a small amount from the dry vermouth.
Keto-Friendly Option: Due to its low-carb nature, a dirty martini is a popular and suitable choice for those on a keto or low-carb diet.
Customizable for Your Diet: You can easily control the carb count by adjusting the amount of olive brine you add, making it as 'dirty' or 'clean' as you like.
Mind the Calories: While low in carbs, remember that the calories come from the alcohol content itself, so moderation is still recommended, especially on a keto diet.
Quality Matters: The nutritional information can vary slightly between recipes and brands, so using high-quality ingredients ensures a more accurate carb count.

What Exactly Is a Dirty Martini?

Before diving into the numbers, it's helpful to understand what makes a dirty martini 'dirty.' A traditional martini is a simple cocktail made with gin or vodka and dry vermouth. The 'dirty' variation adds a splash of olive brine to the mix, giving the drink a cloudy appearance and a briny, savory flavor. The entire cocktail is stirred or shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass, often garnished with an olive.

The Carb Breakdown of Each Ingredient

To figure out the total carbs, we must look at each component individually:

Gin or Vodka: Both gin and vodka are distilled spirits, and pure, unflavored versions contain zero carbohydrates. During the distillation process, any starches or sugars from the base ingredients (like grains or potatoes) are removed, leaving only alcohol and water. This makes them excellent keto-friendly alcohol options.
Dry Vermouth: Vermouth is a fortified wine, and unlike spirits, it does contain some carbohydrates from residual sugars. A standard 3-ounce dirty martini might only use a small dash or a half-ounce of dry vermouth. A 1-ounce serving of dry vermouth has approximately 1.5-2 grams of carbs. In the context of a small pour for a single drink, its contribution is minimal.
Olive Brine: The amount of olive brine, or olive juice, is what makes a martini dirty. Olive brine contributes the most carbs to the drink. While olives themselves are low-carb, the brine contains small amounts of carbs. According to nutritional data, a typical serving of olive brine might add around 1-3 grams of carbs to the total. The 'dirtier' the martini, the more olive brine is used, and the higher the final carb count will be.
Garnish (Olives): Olives are a low-carb fruit, with about 1.5 grams of net carbs in 10 average-sized olives. Since a dirty martini is typically garnished with just one or two olives, the impact on the total carb count is negligible, especially as much of the carb content in olives is fiber.

Comparing Different Martini Variations


Martini Type	Carb Content (Approx.)	Key Carb Source	Suitability for Keto	Flavor Profile
Classic Martini	0-1 gram	Dry Vermouth (minimal)	Excellent	Crisp, spirit-forward, dry
Dirty Martini	1-5 grams (depending on brine)	Olive Brine	Very Good	Briny, savory, salty
Extra Dirty Martini	3-8 grams (with extra brine)	Heavier pour of Olive Brine	Moderate	Very savory, intense brine flavor
Vodka Martini	0-1 gram	Dry Vermouth (minimal)	Excellent	Clean, smooth, neutral
Cosmopolitan	7+ grams	Cranberry Juice, Triple Sec	Not Suitable	Sweet, citrusy, fruit-forward

How to Minimize Carbs in Your Dirty Martini

For those who are very strict with their carb intake, there are a few ways to keep the dirty martini as low-carb as possible:

Control the Brine: Since the olive brine is the primary source of carbs, you can request a less-dirty martini with just a splash of brine instead of a heavy pour. This significantly reduces the total carb count.
Choose Vodka: While both gin and vodka are zero-carb, some people prefer the cleaner, more neutral taste of a vodka martini, which allows the subtle flavors of the vermouth and brine to shine without botanical interference.
Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality spirits and vermouth. Higher-quality spirits are less likely to have any added sugars, and using a reputable brand of dry vermouth ensures a minimal carb contribution. For olive brine, sourcing a low-sugar brand will make a difference. Some brands even specify the carb count.
DIY Your Own: Making your own dirty martini at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and proportions. You can find many recipes online for a keto-friendly dirty martini that explicitly minimizes carb additions.

Low-Carb and Keto Diet Considerations

A dirty martini can be a good choice for people on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. However, it's essential to remember that even a low-carb alcoholic drink still contains calories. The calories in spirits come directly from the alcohol itself, not from carbs. While a standard 1.5-ounce serving of 80-proof spirit has around 96 calories, consuming alcohol can temporarily stall ketosis because your body prioritizes metabolizing alcohol before it burns fat.

For optimal results on a keto diet, moderation is key. Enjoying a dirty martini as an occasional treat rather than a nightly ritual will help you stay on track with your overall health and fitness goals. Using a smaller amount of vermouth and olive brine can make the difference between a near-zero carb cocktail and one with a slightly higher, but still manageable, count.

Conclusion

So, how many carbs in a dirty martini? The answer is very few, typically ranging from 1 to 5 grams depending on how 'dirty' you like it. The core ingredients—gin or vodka—are completely carb-free, with the minimal carb count coming from the dry vermouth and the olive brine. By controlling the amount of brine, you can easily customize this classic cocktail to fit your dietary needs. The dirty martini stands out as a sophisticated, low-carb alcoholic option, proving that you don't have to sacrifice flavor to maintain your health goals. It's a testament to the fact that with mindful choices, even a classic cocktail can be a suitable indulgence for a low-carb lifestyle.

Create Your Own Low-Carb Dirty Martini

For those looking to craft the perfect low-carb dirty martini at home, here is a simple recipe to follow. Adjust the olive brine to your personal taste.

Ingredients:

2 oz vodka or gin (zero carbs)
1/2 oz dry vermouth (approx. 1 gram carb)
1/2 oz olive brine from the olive jar (approx. 1-2 grams carbs)
Ice
Green olive(s) for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Pour in the vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and olive brine.
Shake well until the outside of the shaker is frosted.
Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with one or two green olives.

This recipe provides a balanced flavor while keeping the carb count to a minimum, ensuring a delicious and keto-friendly drink. For an even lower-carb option, reduce the amount of vermouth or opt for a non-alcoholic bitter alternative. With this recipe, you can enjoy a classic cocktail without compromising your dietary progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a dirty martini is considered keto-friendly. The main ingredients—vodka or gin and dry vermouth—are very low in carbs, with the olive brine adding only a minimal amount, making it a good option for a ketogenic diet.

A classic martini made with just gin or vodka and a dash of dry vermouth has a negligible carb count, often close to zero. The dirty martini adds olive brine, which increases the carb count slightly but still keeps it very low, typically between 1 and 5 grams depending on the recipe.

Both unflavored gin and vodka have zero carbohydrates, so there is no difference in the carb count between a gin-based or vodka-based dirty martini.

Achieving a true zero-carb dirty martini is difficult due to the minimal carbs in dry vermouth and olive brine. However, you can make a version that is extremely close to zero by using a very small amount of vermouth and brine, or even omitting them entirely for a classic martini.

The olive garnish itself contributes very few carbs. A few olives have a low carb content, with a significant portion of that being fiber, so they will not significantly impact the overall carb count of your drink.

To reduce the carb count in a dirty martini, the most effective method is to use less olive brine. You can also opt for a 'less dirty' version or specify a smaller amount when ordering. Using a measured pour of dry vermouth also helps keep carbs in check.

While the calories in a dirty martini primarily come from the alcohol, adding more olive brine will add a small number of calories, in addition to increasing the carbohydrate and sodium content.