31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (2024)

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (1)

If you've ever wondered what exactly a martini is, you're not alone. These old-school co*cktails definitely have some mystery to them. Are they pretty much straight liquor in a glass, or a more complicated fruity drink that packs a punch? What exactly was James Bond drinking? Whether you’ve got a fully stocked at-home bar or are looking for inspiration for what to order when you go out, we’ve got some answers (and 31 martini recipes!) for you.

At its most basic, a martini is gin or vodka and dry vermouth in certain proportions (usually 2 ½ oz. alcohol to ½ oz. vermouth), with an olive or lemon peel for garnish. Though it’s a super simple recipe, there are some adjustments you can make. Making a martini “dry” means using less vermouth and more vodka (“wet” means the opposite, though is less popular), and “dirty” adding a splash of olive juice with your olives. “Perfect” means using an equal amount of both, and “neat” means using room temperature ingredients, rather than ones shaken or stirred over ice. No matter which way you go at home, the most important thing is to start with good ingredients, since they’re the stars of the show.

Have some… shall we say, less than desirable vodka or gin? That’s where martini’s sweet alter ego comes in to save the day. More guilty pleasure dessert drinks than liquor-forward sippers, “-tinis” (as they were coined in the ‘90s and 00s), are sweet, often creamy, co*cktails that come in every flavor you can think of. Try our lemon drop or appletini if you like things tart, or our sugar cookie martini or crème brûlée martini if you want something sweeter. Though they might not seem it, these babies are STRONG. Some of them taste like a milkshake, but they all pack a punch, so drink responsibly.

Want more liquor inspiration? Check out our list of our top vodka drinks and bourbon co*cktails. Have more of a sweet tooth? Try our Baileys Irish Creme co*cktails—they’re pretty much dessert in a glass.

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1

Pomegranate Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (3)

More like a cosmopolitan than a classic martini, this recipe replaces the cosmo’s traditional cranberry juice with pomegranate. Garnish with a sugar rim and a fresh rosemary sprig for the perfect drink to serve at all your winter gatherings.

Get the Pomegranate Martini recipe.

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2

Classic Vodka Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (4)

Before you start, make sure your vodka and vermouth are quality—since they make up the drink, the cheap stuff just won't do. Whether you go shaken or stirred, you'll feel on top of the world after your first sip.

Get the Classic Vodka Martini recipe.

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3

Espresso Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (5)

Curious how to achieve this impressive garnish? Cover half the glass with a napkin or paper towel then dust the rest with either cocoa or espresso powder. Top the other side with coffee beans and voila! You have a drink that's not only delicious but also looks stunning.

Get the Espresso Martini recipe.

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4

Chocolate Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (6)

We love topping ours with shaved chocolate or a pinch of cocoa powder, but feel free to get creative on the garnishes! Try adding a strawberry or a spring of mint, or even adding crushed Oreos to the rim.

Get the Chocolate Martini recipe.

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5

Crème Brûlée Martini

These martinis taste just like a crème brûlée with very little effort. Be sure to keep the caramel in the freezer until you are ready to serve. The caramel will eventually melt into your drink making it extra indulgent.

Get the Crème Brûlée Martini recipe.

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6

Peppermintinis

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (8)

To make these peppermint-bark-inspired drinks, you'll combine white chocolate liqueur, vodka, peppermint schnapps, and heavy cream in a co*cktail shaker with ice, before serving these shaken—not stirred—martinis with a homemade chocolate and peppermint rim. We're feeling festive already!

Get the Peppermintinis recipe.

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7

Appletini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (9)

These babies are tart, bright green, and quite strong. Enjoy with caution 😈.

Get the Best-Ever Appletini recipe.

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8

Dalgona Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (10)

Dalgona, or whipped coffee, is now the coolest thing to top all of your drinks with. Try it on top of this simple Baileys martini for an instant trendy pick me up.

Get the Dalgona Martini recipe.

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9

Pecan Pie Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (11)

Rumchata, creme de cocoa, and bourbon come together to make this drinkable version of pecan pie. These martinis might look cute and innocent, but trust us, they're STRONG.

Get the Pecan Pie Martini recipe.

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10

Sugar Cookie Martinis

Love Christmas sugar cookies? Us too, so we made this festive co*cktail inspired by them. Baileys, vanilla vodka, and Amaretto give it that cookie-vibe, and the tiny candy cane-shaped sugar cookie hanging off the sprinkle-covered rim make it extra adorable—use seasonal favorites to enjoy this year-round!

Get the Sugar Cookie Martinis recipe.

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11

Bikini Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (13)

🎶Put the rum in the coconut and shake it all up 🎶Not a fan of coconut? Regular rum works just fine here too.

Get the Bikini Martini recipe.

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12

Cadbury Creme Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (14)

Cadbury Creme Egg lovers, we made this drink just for you. Not unlike the candy, these martinis are VERY sweet. If you'd like to tone down the sweetness, we'd suggest omitting the sweetened condensed milk. (Even though it looks so darn cute at the bottom of these!)

Get the Cadbury Creme Martini recipe.

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13

Key Lime Pie Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (15)

This co*cktail is modeled after our favorite key lime pie, without any of the hassle of baking! It manages to be both tart and creamy, and is the perfect summer drink.

Get the Key Lime Pie Martini recipe.

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14

Banana Cream Pie Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (16)

Part dessert, part co*cktail, this drink is seriously indulgent. The flavor of banana pudding, one of our very favorite desserts, comes from the combination of vanilla vodka, Baileys, and banana liqueur, and whipped cream. We know it sounds like a lot, but trust us, it's the real deal.

Get the Banana Cream Pie Martini recipe.

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15

S'mores Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (17)

No campfire? No problem! We roasted our marshmallows over our oven burners. It's a totally optional step, but we think it really drives the s'mores flavor home.

Get the S'mores Martini recipe.

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16

Drunken Peanut Butter Cups

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (18)

These martinis use Reese's Pieces to infuse the vodka so that they taste just like your favorite peanut butter cup. This takes a chocolate martini to a whole new level. The Reese's and peanut butter rim isn't technically necessary, but it makes these extra delightful.

Get the Drunken Peanut Butter Cups recipe.

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17

Almond Joy Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (19)

If Almond Joys are your favorite candy bar, then you need to give this martini a try. Coconut rum, chocolate syrup, creme de coconut, Amaretto, and half and half make this super decadent co*cktail fit for dessert.

Get the Almond Joy Martini recipe.

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18

Apple Cider Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (20)

Caramel and cinnamon sugar rim the glass of this apple cider co*cktail. The butterscotch schnapps really puts this over the edge, so we recommend seeking it out!

Get the Apple Cider Martini recipe.

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19

Samoa Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (21)

Arguably the best Girl Scout cookie of all gets a boozy makeover here with this easy and delicious martini. Want even more Samoa flavor? Try our Samoa dessert lasagna or frozen Samoa pie.

Get the Samoa Martini recipe.

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20

Gingerbread Espresso Martini

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (22)

Spice up the espresso martini trend with this gingerbread version that takes the co*cktail to new heights. An aromatic simple syrup made with molasses, ginger, and warming spices is the perfect foil for Kahlúa’s robust coffee flavor. It’s a festive co*cktail guaranteed to give you a pleasant buzz and get you in the holiday spirit.

Get the Gingerbread Espresso Martini recipe.

31 Martini Recipes That Will Make You Think About The Classic co*cktail In A Whole New Way (2024)

FAQs

What is a classic martini? ›

The martini is a co*cktail made with gin and vermouth, and garnished with an olive and/or a lemon twist. Over the years, the martini has become one of the best-known mixed alcoholic beverages. A common variation, the vodka martini, uses vodka instead of gin for the co*cktail's base spirit.

What is the most popular martini? ›

The Most Popular Martini Flavor in the U.S.

Pineapple martinis are sweet, delicious, and straightforward, making them a popular choice among patrons all over the nation. All you need to make one of these martinis for yourself is pineapple juice, vodka, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

What are the three types of martini? ›

There are three main types of Martini: wet, dry and perfect. Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with botanicals, and it makes a Martini either sweet or dry, depending how much vermouth is used in the recipe. Wet means the drink is sweeter, so the ratio is normally 3:1.

What is the best martini for beginners? ›

What is a good martini for beginners? The classic martini is one of the best martinis and co*cktails for beginners. The classic martini calls for a simple mix of vermouth and gin, garnished with a lemon twist or green olives. The V-shaped glass it's poured into and served in is just as classic as the drink itself.

What is a basic martini made of? ›

Preparation. In a mixing glass or co*cktail shaker filled with ice cubes, combine 2½ oz. London dry gin and ½ oz. dry vermouth.

What is a dirty or classic martini? ›

A dirty martini means that olive juice or olive brine is mixed in. This can be on its own, or in addition to “with a twist” for a lemon brine or “with an olive”. A clean martini refers to a martini served without a garnish.

What makes a great martini? ›

A classic martini, or a wet martini, is when you prefer an equal ratio of gin and dry vermouth. A “perfect” martini on the other hand is made with equal parts dry and sweet vermouth and then mixed with vodka or gin.

What is a really dirty martini called? ›

The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink. An olive garnish is typically assumed, too. Most bars add equal parts vermouth and brine, though you can specify 'extra dirty' or 'filthy' if you prefer more brine.

What is the strongest martini? ›

You can also order a martini “dry” or “bone dry”, which means using less vermouth, therefore making the martini even stronger. This popular drink is made up of a combination of four different types of liquor, cementing its spot on our list of strongest co*cktails.

Why do people like dirty martinis? ›

A dirty martini, however? That wisp of olive brine alongside gin and vermouth made the drink downright quaffable and fun, even though it still looked like the thing that grown-ups who had a mortgage and a dinner jacket drank. It became a go-to when I felt the need to flex some faux refinement.

What do you say when ordering a martini? ›

Order your martini wet, dry, or extra dry.

These terms refer to the ratio of gin or vodka to vermouth. If you do not specify what you want, you will be served a martini with a standard ratio. A wet martini is a martini with extra vermouth. A dry martini refers to a martini with less vermouth in it.

What is a dirty or wet martini? ›

A classic wet Martini has about 3 parts gin/vodka to 1 part vermouth. Naked Martini: One with no vermouth at all. It's just chilled gin or vodka that's garnished with an olive, served up in a Martini glass. Dirty Martini: Using a bit of olive brine makes a Martini dirty.

Is a classic martini shaken or stirred? ›

While some notable pop culture examples may have preferred theirs shaken, not stirred, we beg to differ. If you shake a martini co*cktail it can produce ice chips in an otherwise crystal-clear co*cktail, and it can add up to 10% more water. Because of that, we suggest you stir a martini co*cktail gently.

Is a traditional martini vodka or gin? ›

A classic Martini is made from gin and vermouth and garnished with either an olive or lemon twist. It has a reputation as one of the most popular mixed alcoholic drinks in the world.

What is the two martini rule? ›

Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic. The reasons for this are obvious and I try to adhere to this rule at home. The rule is defended most enduringly (and elegantly) at Duke's Bar in Central London, where years of experience … Continue reading.

Why is a vodka martini called dirty? ›

DIRTY. For those who like their co*cktails to have a savoury edge, the Dirty Martini is a delicious, slightly salty, choice. The term 'dirty' means that olive brine, usually from a jar of co*cktail olives, has been added to the drink.

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