This non-alcoholic vodka and dirty martini mocktail recipe is sure to please any palate. There are only three ingredients and a few simple steps to make this soft cocktail come together.
While it is a bit untraditional, it is created from the same thing that traditional vodka is created from...potatoes! It pairs perfectly with our our grazing table and chocolate orange cake for dessert.
We LOVE making and sharing mocktails! Whether they are holiday themed like with our Valentines mocktails, Halloween mocktails, Thanksgiving mocktails and Christmas mocktails.
Or a simple and delicious soft cocktail like our 5-minute spiced orange mocktail, Shirley temple mocktail, Roy Rogers Drink, blue lagoon mocktail or non-alcoholic Prosecco drink with pomegranates and cranberries, everyone can join in for a tasty and alcohol free cheers!
I have been wanting to come up with a non-alcoholic vodka option since I first started making mocktails. I tend to lean towards more savory dishes and drinks.
That's why even with my sweet drinks, I like to add some savory aspect like we did with our strawberry basil margarita mocktail or our grapefruit mocktail with rosemary and honey.
So a dirty martini without the alcohol with all it's delicious, salty flavors is just what I've been craving!
So what is a non-alcoholic substitute for vodka?
I've seen people use club soda as a non-alcoholic vodka substitute but this just pains me. It has none of the qualities of vodka.
Vodka is traditionally made from potato, so wouldn't it make sense to head in that direction when thinking of a good alternative?
I recently asked a bartender what he would suggest and you know what he said? He recommended potato water!
Yeah, like the stuff you cook potatoes in to make our gluten-free mashed potatoes! Crazy right?
I was so intrigued by his idea that I had to get in the kitchen to give it a try. I will be the first to admit that any non-alcoholic vodka doesn't have the burn of it's traditional spirit counterpart.
It is a great base though when it comes to flavor. It's also SO much cheaper than any non-alcoholic vodka that you can purchase.
Even without the traditional alcohol, this drink is just as refreshing as our virgin margarita, Starbucks pink drink recipe and non-alcoholic pina colada.
Speaking of, is there an alcohol free gin?
Finding a non-alcoholic gin can be tough but it’s not impossible. I really do love Caleno non-alcoholic gin because it is so clean and tastes great!
I know that it isn’t as readily available so Ritual Gin is another one that works great. There are a few other great options as well.
We use it in our non-alcoholic gin and tonic and always keep it on hand. Like with our mimosa mocktail, we added something a bit different to keep it booze free.
What are these made of?
Traditional dirty martini mocktails are made of gin or vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine so we wanted to keep it as traditional as possible. Here is what we recommend using in your non-alcoholic vodka dirty martini mocktail.
- Potato water (use clean potatoes of course)
- Olive brine
- Green olives for garnish
Yep, that's it! This recipe is super delicious and very easy.
How to make a non-alcoholic vodka and dirty martini
- Start by cubing four clean, scrubbed russet potatoes
Pro Tip: Larger pieces of potato are totally fine for this, about 1"
- Put the cubed potatoes in a pot and cover with water by about 1" and boil until potatoes are fork tender
- Drain the water into a glass container and allow to cool to room temperature
Pro Tip: Mash your potatoes and make them into a great martini mashed potato bar or gluten-free mashed potatoes!
- Pour 3 ounces of potato water (or non-alcoholic vodka) into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice
- Add 1.5 ounces green olive juice
- Add the lid and shake until the outside gets cold and frosted
- Pour in a martini glass over 2 green olives
Pro Tip: Store your non-alcoholic vodka in the refrigerator for up to one week
For a sweeter (but not too sweet) accompaniment, our lavender lemonade and limeade are always a hit!
If you need some more mocktail inspiration, we've got some great ideas for you...
Cucumber Lime Mocktail with Watermelon Ice
While not necessary for this recipe exactly, we love adding flavor to mocktails with these simple syrups...
You can change the flavor of your non-alcoholic White Russian with the addition of any of these. And you know what? They are super SIMPLE to make!
- Peach Simple Syrup
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup
- Orange Simple Syrup
- Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Jalapeno Simple Syrup
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Non-Alcoholic Vodka and Dirty Martini Mocktail
Ingredients
- 3 ounces potato water
- 1.5 ounces green olive juice
- 4 large stuffed green olives
Instructions
- Start by cubing four clean, scrubbed russet potatoes
- Put the cubed potatoes in a pot and cover with water by about 1" and boil until potatoes are fork tender
- Drain the water into a glass container and allow to cool to room temperature
- Pour 3 ounces of potato water (or non-alcoholic vodka) into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice
- Add 1.5 ounces green olive juice
- Add the lid and shake until the outside gets cold and frosted
- Pour in a martini glass over 2 green olives
Chandice says
This his a fun alternative to the classic green olive vodka martini without the alcohol. Simple and tasty!
Lori says
I'm going to try to add a bit if capsaicin to the potato water to get some burn. This sounds like a winner for a dirty martini! Thank you!
Chandice says
LOVE that idea!!
Elizabeth says
I love this normalization of NA cocktails thank you for the work you are doing! I have a long history of alcoholism in my family and learning these recipes has been very therapeutic for me. For all of you complaining it doesn’t 100% match the complexity of vodka, you guys… obviously... but we are getting closer and that’s so exciting. Keep going !!
Chandice says
Awww thanks for taking the time to send this Elizabeth! If we all do our part, it will be so normal soon enough. 🙂
Lori says
I agree! I gave up alcohol recently. These recipes are helping me, one craving at a time.
Lucrecia Norman says
Can you keep left over potato water? Does it need to be kept in the refridgerator?
Chandice says
Yes, you can keep it for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Waning says
I was really, really skeptical about this at first, but after trying other NA martini suggestions that were marginal at best, I figured what the heck. Dry January is pushing me to try anything! I am typing this as I enjoy a potato water dirty martini, and for me it's everything I want from a martini. I am excited that I can drink another one and still be fully present for my kids tomorrow. Thank you!
Chandice says
Awww what an amazing compliment! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you loved it. And best to you and your Dry January. I hope you try some more of our mocktails. 🙂
Robert says
Chandace I just found your recipes for mocktails as a alternative to alcohol for someone who has liver cirrhosis due to Year's of alcohol
Abuse I have been alcohol Free for four years but the damage is done but that doesn't mean I don't crave a good dirty vodka martini or a gin and tonic finding your site is great I'm going to give the martini a try I'll let you know what I come up with thanks Robert
Chandice says
Thanks Robert, I am SO glad you are here! Please stay in touch with any mocktails you'd love to see. I have some really yummy ones coming up soon as well. 🙂
Alex says
Thank you so much for this. It's great to find a good mocktail recipe!
Rosa says
I tried this recipe, is like drinking flavored water with olive juice. Maybe my potato water was not strong enough. I will try to find a non alcohol whisky/ gin.
Chandice says
Hi Rosa,
Definitely make a strong potato water by using only enough water to cover your potatoes. We also love Ritual gin too. It also has a burn to it.
Kindly,
Chandice
Kathy says
Wow... I love me a good vodka martini - not necessarily the dirty kind - but I thought - "what the heck - let's give it a try?" I am here to say that I was pleasantly surprised. No - the complexity of the real thing is not there - but I drink it over ice cubes and it is the coolest feeling to be "having a couple of martinis"... and not feeling any kind of alcohol side effects. Thanks for sharing... hoping to try some of the other interesting mocktails you have here. 🙂
Chandice says
Hi Kathy, LOVE hearing this from you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and rating. 🙂
Duke says
A bartender told me that in a martini you use 1 or 3 olives, or onions in the case of a Gibson. He said, "NEVER use 2". Apparently, 2 olives is not good luck.
So, use 1 or 3 olives.
Cheers!
Chandice says
Haha, ok that is a great suggestion thanks! 🙂
Arndt Mitwer says
Thanks, Chandice - I just prepared a dirty martini mocktail according to your recipe and I like it. Great idea!
Chandice says
Thank you so much, I love hearing from you wonderful readers! It is one of my favorites and I am so glad you loved it as much as I do!
Tana Besendorfer says
Such a great mocktail idea!!!
Love Mom
Chandice says
Thank you, it is one of our favorites!
Jess says
I never would have thought to use potato water! I love having a non-alcholic option that is just as fun and tastes great. Thank you!
Chandice says
Thanks Jess, so glad it was a success for you! We love it also 🙂
Dennis Ureche says
Do Russet potatoes need to be used, or would other varieties work?
Chandice says
I think any would work just fine.
Dennis Ureche says
Do Russet potatoes have to be used or could you use other varieties?
Chandice says
I think any variety would work.
Leo Dillon says
Great potato and olive soup recipe! Served this as an appetiser and it was a big hit!
Tera says
Super fun to have so many non-alcoholic drink options! Thanks for sharing!!
Erin Collins says
This is genius! So good to know there is a way to make this non-alcoholic!
Connery says
Have you tasted it though before declaring it genius? I'm not a huge fan of dirtying my martinis and prefer gin over vodka it has to be said but even diverting to a vodka version I'm struggling to see how cold potato water is going to have the same complexity or interest as a mixture of Belvedere with a hint of Noilly Prat Extra Dry?
Chandice says
As mentioned in the post, nothing will replace the complexity of real vodka. But for a non-alcoholic option, this is much better and closer to the real deal than club soda...
Craig says
When you’re a recovering alcoholic, Connery, you’ll try anything. Thanks, Chandice + cheers!
Chandice says
Thanks Craig, I appreciate that. While it doesn't have the same burn and I say that in the post, it is a great 0.0% option that isn't a child's drink. 🙂
Sharon says
Connery, you are so right. Because of all the botanicals used in gin distillation, neutral vodka simply cannot compare. Consequently, it's much more advantageous, and easier, to duplicate the flavor of gin by steeping several of those flavoring agents and adding them to the drink. Juniper berries, fennel, cardamom, lavender, allspice, rosemary, cucumber, citrus peel, are just a few that play starring roles in gin's unique appeal. I've been perfecting extracting those flavors for a while now, and it just keeps getting better and better. Do a Google search and you'll find a wealth of information and guidance on the subject. It'll take a lot of trial and error to develop an ingredient list and recipe that appeals to you, but if you've got a bit of the alchemist and chef in you, it will be a wonderfully enjoyable task! One important word of advice; you'll have to simmer, then cover and STEEP those botanicals for 24 to 48 hours, in a cool place, to extract their flavor compounds. Good luck to you!