From pickle to pornstar martinis, we're drifting away from beverage tradition with every shake and strain. Just like we (questionably) embraced caviar as a food trend, we're gravitating towards more off-kilter dining experiences, in which fun, fancy little drinks are a part. If you're still ordering a regular ol' martini at happy hour, you're missing out. It's time to expand your horizons. Thanks to this roundup, you won't ever be at a loss for a lovely libation – check out these 12 trendy martini recipes!
Recipe + image via Brit + Co.
Affogato Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 1/2 ounce cream de cocoa
- 1 ounce Kahlua
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
- Add two ounces of vanilla vodka, half an ounce of creme de cocoa, and one ounce of Kahlua into a shaker.
- Drop in about 3 ice cubes. Close the shaker and shake until the liquid is chilled.
- Pour mixture into a martini glass and top it off with vanilla ice cream.
- Serve with a spoon and enjoy!
Recipe + image via Bailey's for Brit + Co.
Chocolate Martini
What you need:
- 1.5 oz Baileys Chocolate Liqueur
- 0.75 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Fresh Espresso
- 0.25 oz Simple Syrup
Instructions:
- Add all the chocolate martini ingredients to a cocktail shaker over ice.
- Shake together, and finely strain the contents into a coupe or martini glass.
- From there, add your garnish of choice, and indulge in chocolate-covered goodness.
Recipe + image via Chopin Vodka for Brit + Co.
Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Chopin Potato Vodka
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup (optional)
- Sugar and a lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
- Rim a martini glass with lemon juice and sugar, then set aside.
- Add the vodka, orange liqueur, and lemon juice (and simple syrup, if you choose to add it) to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the contents of the shaker are cold.
- Strain the mix into your glass, then garnish with a lemon twist.
Recipe + image via Sarah Anderson for Brit + Co.
Prosecco Martini
Ingredients (makes 4 martinis):
- 8 ounces vodka
- 1 whole lemon, juiced
- 8 ounces chilled Prosecco
- 4 raspberries, for garnish
- Lemon wedge, for the rim
- Sparkly sprinkles, for the rim
Instructions:
- Take four martini glasses and rub each rim with a lemon wedge. Pour the sparkly sprinkles onto a plate and dip each rim in the sprinkles. Set aside.
- In a shaker, add in the vodka, lemon juice and ice and shake until chilled. Strain the mixture evenly in the martini glasses.
- Top each glass with the Prosecco and add in a raspberry in the glass or as a garnish on a cocktail pick. Serve immediately!
Recipe + image via Tito's Vodka
Pickle Martini
What you need:
- 3 oz vodka
- 1/2 oz dry vermouth
- 1 oz pickle juice
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Recipe + image via Culinary Hill
Classic Dry Martini
What you need:
- 3 ounces gin (6 tablespoons)
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth (1 tablespoon)
- 2 pitted, brine-cured olives or lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
- To a mixing glass filled with ice, add gin and vermouth. Using a bar spoon, stir until mixture is fully combined and well chilled, about 30 to 45 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with olives or a lemon twist.
Miso Martini
For the Miso Martini:
- ½ oz pink peppercorn brine
- ½ oz white miso vermouth
- 2½ oz vodka
- Sesame oil + crushed pink peppercorn, for garnish
- Add ingredients into a cocktail mixing glass. Add ice and stir until chilled and properly diluted.
- Strain into a stemmed glass.
- Garnish with sesame oil and pink peppercorns.
- ¾ cup champagne vinegar
- 1¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp pink peppercorns
- Add all ingredients to a small sauce pot until sugar and salt dissolve. Let cool completely. Strain into an airtight jar.
- 1 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 cups dry vermouth
- Add miso and dry vermouth into a jar and shake well. Place in the freezer overnight.
- The next day, it might be a bit frozen, so let it thaw a little, and then strain it through a few layers of cheesecloth.
Recipe + image via Takes Two Eggs
Espresso Martini
What you need:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 once Kahlua
- 1 ounce brewed espresso cooled
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Coffee beans, for garnish
Instructions:
- Brew the espresso in your espresso machine, Nespresso, or simply buy some espresso from your local coffee shop. Cool and set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the espresso, vodka, and Kahlua with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed and the foam has formed.
- Immediately strain the espresso martini into a cocktail glass. Dust with espresso powder and coffee beans for garnish. Sip responsibly!
Recipe + image via Half Baked Harvest
Chai Martini
Ingredients:
For the Chai Honey Syrup:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 bags chai tea
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Vanilla sugar, for rim (optional)
For the Chai Martini:
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) vodka
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Kahlua
- 1 ounce espresso
- 1 ounce canned coconut milk
- Grated nutmeg and star anise, for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- To make the Chai Honey Syrup – In a medium pot, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil. Remove from the heat, add the chai tea bags, cover and steep 10 minutes. Remove the tea bags and add the honey. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla. Let cool. This syrup makes enough for about 6 drinks.
- If desired, rim your glass with vanilla sugar.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine 1-2 tablespoons chai syrup, vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and coconut milk. Add ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and star anise, if desired.
Recipe + image via Barley & Sage
Lemon Drop Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka, citrus infused
- 1 ½ ounces lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce orange liqueur , optional
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions:
- Add the sugar to a small plate, then rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingers until fragrant.
- Moisten the rim of your martini glass with a bit of lemon juice or simple syrup. Turn the glass upside down and twist into the lemon sugar and set aside.
- Add the vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker, then top with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until cold. Strain into your sugar rimmed martini glass and enjoy!
Matcha Martini
Ingredients:
- 1 bar spoon powdered sugar
- ¾ oz creme de cacao blanc
- 2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz matcha (mixed well with water)
- 1 oz milk of choice
- Sifted matcha, for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the matcha so that it has time to cool a bit before adding to your cocktail. Add hot water and mix well to reduce clumps — set aside.
- To a cocktail shaker, add powdered sugar, creme de cacao, vanilla vodka, and prepared matcha.
- Add ice and shake vigorously until chilled.
- Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with sifted matcha. Use the back end of a bar spoon to create a swirly effect, and enjoy!
Recipe + image via Signature Concoctions
Spicy Mango Martini
Ingredients:
- 1-2 Thai chilli or 1 Serrano chili slice (very thinly sliced)
- 3-4 cilantro leaves
- A pinch of salt (optional)
- 2 oz green mango purée
- 1-2 tsp agave nectar or simple syrup
- 2 oz vodka
- Coconut water, to top off (you could also some fizz by substituting with ginger ale, Sprite or 7-Up)
Instructions:
- In a pint glass or cocktail shaker, crack the chili with a muddler. Add cilantro leaves, salt, green mango purée and simple syrup or agave nectar, and muddle again. Add the spirits and mixers along with ice and shake.
- Strain it in a cocktail glass and garnish with a whole chili pepper and a thin slice of green mango.
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Header image via Takes Two Eggs.
This post has been updated.
