If You Love Martinis, You Need to Try Dolly Parton’s ‘Dirt Road’ Version originally appeared on Parade.
When superstar Dolly Parton does something—whether it’s music, acting, philanthropy or her delicious collaboration with Duncan Hines—she does it with so much heart. Good Lookin’ Cookin’, the cookbook she co-authored with her sister Rachel Parton George, is no exception. The 2024 book is packed with a year’s worth of classic comfort food, cherished memories, sass and a whole lot of the Parton sisters’ signature Southern spirit. Among a treasure trove of standout recipes, it is a cocktail that sings with pure country magic.
Simple, strong and unapologetically bold (much like Dolly herself), the Dirt Road Martini from Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is perfect whether you’re kicking back on the porch or throwing a backyard get-together. Read on for the dirt on this truly delicious beverage.
Related: How To Make the Best Ever Mac and Cheese, According to Dolly Parton (And Her Sister)
What Is Dolly Parton’s Dirt Road Martini?
A classic dirty martini features gin or vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine. Dolly and Rachel’s Dirt Road Martini is an almost-classic dirty martini, except instead of the classic component of vermouth, the Parton Sisters’ version employs unsweetened tea to balance everything out. And instead of olive brine, they use the brine from Italian giardiniera. What is Italian giardiniera, you ask? For starters, it’s amazing. Commonly found in jars near the pickles or in the Italian section of the supermarket, giardiniera is a tangy, colorful mix of vegetables like cauliflower, peppers and carrots.
Related: The Famous Dolly Parton No-Bake Dessert That’s Perfect for Summer
The briny liquid that tags along with giardiniera is perfectly savory and salty in a martini. And Dolly and Rachel proclaim that the colorful pickled vegetables in the giardiniera, which are used as a garnish for their unique drink, “make this martini especially good lookin.'”
The result of the ingredient upgrades? A savory, salty and endlessly sippable cocktail with a Southern backbone and a healthy dose of attitude. It’s a backroads remix of a cocktail classic—less Fifth Avenue, more front porch swing. Pair the martini with a few of your favorite Dolly dishes, cue up a playlist of Iron Butterfly songs and raise a glass to big flavors and the queen of country.
Related: Dolly Parton’s Secret Ingredient for the Best-Ever Coleslaw
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How to Make Dolly Parton’s Dirt Road Martini
You can find the recipe for the Dirt Road Martini in Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals – A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food, but here’s the gist of how to make the Dolly-ified drink for all of your at-home happy hours.
In a mixing glass (no cocktail shaker required!), stir together the vodka, unsweetened tea and giardiniera brine until well combined. Fill a cocktail glass with ice, then pour the mixture over the top. Garnish with a skewer of olives and mixed giardiniera. Serve immediately.
Related: How to Make the Best Chicken Salad, According to Dolly Parton
3 Tips for the Best Dolly-Approved Dirt Road Martini
1. Say no to sweet tea
Make sure the tea that you use is unsweetened and chilled or at room temperature. Dirty martinis are all about their signature saltiness, so adding sugar would only muddy the flavor and detract from the drink’s bold, briny character.
2. Choose good giardiniera
The recipe calls for Mezzetta Italian Mix Giardiniera, but feel free to sub another good-quality brand.
3. Make it for a crowd
Dolly and Rachel’s recipe makes one martini but feel free to scale it up if you’re expecting to entertain a large crowd of people.
Related: How To Make Boxed Cake Mix 10x Better, According to Dolly Parton
If You Love Martinis, You Need to Try Dolly Parton’s ‘Dirt Road’ Version first appeared on Parade on Jul 30, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
