Where to Get the Dirtiest Slut-Muffin Martinis in Dallas

Dallas drinkers are getting dirty. Filthy, briny and downright decadent martinis are having a moment with the resurrected spotlight of the dirty martini.

The century-old cocktail is an extension of the traditional martini, made with vodka or gin and dry vermouth. The cocktail's fuzzy origins are at New York's Waldorf Astoria, where bartender John E. O'Connor iconically added muddled olives and olive brine to a dry martini. As O'Connor coined it, the dirty version became a cornerstone for Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency. It's an acquired taste, but one made mainstream by Hollywood and revived by TikTok.

TikTokers have taken the dirty martini one step further by making them downright filthy. Think caper brine, jalapeno brine, pepperoncini brine, pickle juice, olive oil, cracked pepper, Parmesan and whatever else is in the back of the pantry. We'll leave our martini-making to the experts.

Below are 10 of Dallas' best martinis, including the filthiest, iconic, innovative and trendsetting.

Mike's Gemini Twin: Mike's Dirty Martini

1608 S. Harwood St.

Mike's Gemini Twin strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and dive-bar charm. Mike's Dirty Martini follows suit. The $11 cocktail has a choice of herby gin or brine-enhancing vodka. The spirit combines with a Mike's specialty "dirty" blend of olive brine and fresh-pressed olive juice. Drops of umami bitters round out the cocktail's bold flavors. A sword with a couple of olives floats in the deliciously murky cocktail. Get the full Mike's Gemini Twin experience by pairing your dirty sips with Dallas' most renowned glizzy.

Pro tip: From bartender Haley Merritt at Midnight Rambler: ask for the anchovy-stuffed olives.

Hudson House: Bleu and Gold

Various Locations

Hudson House is the self-proclaimed home of the "world's coldest martinis." Hudson House's happy hour is a martini lover's haven with six varieties ranging from the sweet and tart stone fruit version to a bubbly French 75. The Bleu and Gold ($8 during happy hour) is a dirty martini all dressed up. Shaken Grey Goose and olive juice are poured into chilled martini glasses rimmed with a light amber coarse bleu cheese salt. A toothpick with two made-in-house blue-cheese-stuffed olives tops the cocktail.

Pro tip: Enjoy half-price martinis weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the bar only. Our favorite location is Irving with its spacious bar area, bar tables, oyster bar and outdoor seating that allows you the opportunity to get the most enjoyment for your buck.

Midnight Rambler: Filthy 2.0

1530 Main St.

A hot tip slid into our direct messages to inform the Observer that Midnight Rambler had concocted its "best iteration yet" of the dirty martini. We did some digging and got the scoop on the Filthy 2.0.

"The Filthy 2.0 gets an upgrade from its original by infusing dry vermouth with kalamata olives, as well as giving guests the option of vodka or gin," head bartender Haley Merritt tells the Observer. "A blend of celery bitters, Champagne vinegar and saline solution helps balance the richness of the olives."

The $18 stirred-not-shaken cocktail will be released with Midnight Rambler's summer menu launching April 10 to coincide with the Dallas Art Fair. Observer food editor Lauren Daniels got a first sip and can vouch for the silky cocktail.

Pro tip: Sip this in one of the cozy two-seat booths at the far end of the bar, which might be the most romantic tables in the city.

Honor Bar: Perfect Martini

26A Highland Park Village

The restaurant chain Hillstone is having a TikTok moment for its crisp martini made with elderflower liqueur, gin and sauvignon blanc. Alas, the Dallas location doesn't serve it. Instead of social media's cocktail of the moment, try Hillstone's sister concept, Honor Bar in Highland Park Village, made with Bombay Sapphire gin and dry vermouth with flavor-packing goat cheese-stuffed olives.

Pro tip: Amp up the filth with a steep pour of brine and an extra trio of regular olives for variety.

Ayahuasca Cantina: Tomate Martini

334 Jefferson Blvd.

The tomato martini has made waves in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.'s bar scenes. Find Dallas' interpretation at the speakeasy Ayahuasca Cantina. The $17 cocktail pays homage to Mexico City's La Condesa, a sun-soaked, lush green neighborhood filled with ivy-covered Art Deco architecture with dreamy balconies overlooking Parque Mexico.

Ayahuasca's tomate martini starts with Condensa Gin, a micro-batch gin distilled in Mexico City with notes of palo santo, sage, xoconostle and azahar. Blanc vermouth, salt and a wash of tomatoes with almonds round out the cocktail. Charred cherry tomatoes garnish the light and smooth clear cocktail. The subtle salinity of tomato lingers on the tongue.

Pro tip: Balance this with a small plate of house-made tortillas served simply with salt and lime.

Hugo's Seafood Bar: Gin Martini

334 W. Davis St.
Hugo's Seafood Bar co-owner and barkeep, Hugo Osorio, is known for his innovative cocktails, but his classics are equally pristine. Osorio throws a twist into everything he does. Call it the Hugo touch. For his noteworthy espresso martini, Ron Kon Café, it's a splash of Guinness reduction and salted plantain puree. The Gin Martini's twist is a splash of orange bitters and lemon oils to spotlight the gin of choice here, Roku, which has notes of peppery, rich smokiness. Lo-Fi Aperitifs Dry Vermouth's botanicals and spices complicate the $14 cocktail in the most satisfying way.

Pro tip: Make reservations: this new spot is packed, as it should be.

Rye: Hinoki Martini

1920 Greenville Ave. (Lower Greenville)

Rye's Michelin award-winning cocktail menu is the talk of the town. The Hinoki Martini — inspired by Katana Kitten, a popular bar in New York City — gets the conversation started.

"It's a drink that asks a question," owner Tanner Agar said in an email. "What if the martini wasn't European, it was Japanese?"

Agar replaced each ingredient with a Japanese counterpart: Roku gin, ultra-premium sake Junmai Daiginjo, Carpano Dry vermouth and woodsy hinoki essence. It's Rye's version of sippable elegance served in a wooden box on a bed of ice, pearl onions and olives. This all comes at a price: $30.

Pro tip: Enhance the experience with an optional $12 caviar bump.

Jack and Harry's: The Mini Tini, Levels of Dirty

6833 Snider Plaza

It's tiny-tini time! The emerging bar trend of tiny cocktails has made its way to Jack and Harry's menu. The New Orleans-inspired Snider Plaza restaurant recently unveiled The Mini Tini, a bite-size, 2.5-ounce cocktail with four variations: the beloved Espresso Martini, Lemon Twist, Straight Up and Levels of Dirty ($9.99 each).

Pro tip: These low-commitment options are the best way to dip your toes into the posh world of dirty martinis.

Bowen House: Gemini Freezer Martini

2614 Boll St.
Bowen House's Gemini Freezer Martini is a pre-batched cocktail from sister concept Mike's Gemini Twin. So, for this cocktail, it's a matter of vibes: eclectic dive bar at Mike's in the Cedars neighborhood, or a chic historic house in Uptown. Get your dirty martini at Bowen House during happy hour daily from 4 to 6 p.m. for $9. Pair the cocktail with an order of happy hour house olives to pack on the flavor.

Pro tip: Bowen House stays booked and reservations are a must.

Parigi's

3311 Oak Lawn Ave.

We love that this neighborhood bistro with Parisian vibes keeps a French 75 in the slushi machine, but the Sporko Sporko Sporko at Parigi's might be the most iconic dirty martini in the city. Aviation gin is shaken with an extra dirty brine (muddled olives and olive juice) and blue cheese-stuffed olives top it off. That, out on the sidewalk on a lovely evening and a plate of risotto.

Pro tip: Have the French 75 frozen cocktail for dessert.