Dirty Martini Spritz

From pork chops to shrimp cocktail to dip, everything seems to be getting the Dirty Martini treatment these days. The Dirty Martini Spritz, though, is the lower-ABV riff on the classic cocktail that we've been waiting for. While Martinis can be a bit heavy in the warmer months, this spritz has all the signature flavors of the steakhouse favorite while also being light and refreshing.

If you're craving a bit of sweetness, substitute dry vermouth for Italian vermouth bianco (also called vermouth blanc). Bianco vermouth falls somewhere in between dry and sweet vermouth when it comes to body and sweetness. It has a balance of herbaceous and fruity notes that play really well with the botanicals found in gin.

What makes the Dirty Martini Spritz work?

This spritz is inspired by the 50-50 Martini, a variation on the classic which features equal parts gin and vermouth. A 50-50 Martini is lower in alcohol compared to a traditional martini since it has less gin and more vermouth. This spritz takes things a step further and calls for a few ounces of club soda which lengthens the cocktail and lightens up the flavor profile.

The addition of a dash of orange bitters is a nod to the classic pre-Prohibition Martini template, but also accentuates the gin and vermouth's inherent citrus notes. While olives are the standard garnish here, lemon peel can be a nice addition as well if you'd like an even stronger citrus touch.