Penne alla vodka lovers, wake up: A new booze-infused pasta just dropped. But instead of cooking with just liquor, this dirty martini pasta incorporates the components of an entire cocktail. This pasta first went viral on TikTok when chef Emily Eggers shared her recipe for an olive brine and gin-spiked spaghetti. We haven’t been so excited about a TikTok recipe since the iconic baked feta pasta. So naturally, we ran to our kitchens to make our own version.
Our rendition takes inspiration from a classic pasta al limone by using heavy cream as the base for the luscious and decadent sauce. And, just like a dirty martini, we supplement the dish with olives and brine (and booze, of course). The best part? It comes together in under 30 minutes.
Even if you don’t like drinking dirty martinis, you can still enjoy this pasta. Think of this recipe as an exercise in umami. The buttery, briny green olives work with the garlic and Parmesan to impart a savory richness. Meanwhile, the lemon offers a bright and fresh counterpart to balance out each bite.
Just like when you order a dirty martini, you can choose either gin or vodka here. The juniper-forward gin provides an herbaceous flavor to your finished dish. Vodka, on the other hand, is neutral in flavor and a great option if you want the martini vibes to be more subtle.
Did you make this recipe? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
Kosher salt
spaghetti
extra-virgin olive oil
torn pitted Castelvetrano or green olives, plus 1/3 c. olive brine
cloves garlic, sliced
Zest of 1 lemon
gin or vodka
heavy cream
finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
chopped fresh parsley
unsalted butter
Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.
