The perpetual hunt for a superior Dirty Martini led me to discover a secret I must share - it's all in the olive brine. As I frequent any bar worth its gin, my primary goal is investigating how they give that distinct, tangy twist to this beloved cocktail. The answer, it turns out, was waiting for me in the vintage decorations of Bemelmans Bar in The Carlyle hotel, New York City.

Underneath the iconic murals of this venerable Upper East Side establishment, you'll find red-jacketed mixologists, bubbling conversations about everything under the sun, and a display housing Filthy Olive Brine's dazzling emerald packs. Filthy, renowned for their craft cocktail garnishes and mixers ranging from black cherry syrup to Bloody Mary mix, also offers this olive brine, a vital ingredient in Bemelmans' famously sought-after dirty martinis.

Before this, Bemelmans would get their brine from olive jars, which noticeably prolonged the martini-preparation process. “Switching to Filthy's olive brine not only sped up fulfilling orders but also ensured the taste remained impeccable every time,” Bemelmans' bartender Dimitrios Michalopoulos tells me. “We love how it lends that wonderfully full-bodied, richly woody, and finely nutty olive touch to the classic.”

Every pack of Filthy can serve up approximately 15 dirty martinis and, once opened, stays fresh for six weeks in the fridge. It also finds a cozy spot beside my ketchup and mustards on the refrigerator door, making its way into other dishes just as easily.

An unexpected surprise was the brine's versatility in maintaining savory, herby flavors in other concoctions such as dressings and sauces. To spruce up my regular salad dressing, I mix it with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and a liberal splash of olive oil, tossing in any available herbs. That simple addition enhances store-bought sauces, dips and even hummus significantly.

Consider not only martinis while shopping for this brine but also gin spritzes, vermouth, and naturally, the more, the merrier with olives. Dropping in a bottle of my preferred gin with Filthy’s blue cheese-filled olives as garnishes, this petite packet paves the way for a delightful gift for any cocktail enthusiast.