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 (5)

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 (7)

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 (9)

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

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

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 (13)

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 (15)

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 (17)

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 (19)

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 (23)

🎶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 (25)

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 (27)

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 (29)

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 (31)

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 (33)

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 (35)

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 (37)

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 (39)

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 (41)

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 in a classic martini? ›

A chilled gin martini served up in a graceful co*cktail glass is one of the most elegant and sophisticated drinks around. The classic martini recipe is fairly simple—just gin, vermouth, and an olive or lemon peel (and possibly some orange bitters).

What is the most common 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 is the perfect martini made of? ›

Proper proportions are 5:1, gin to vermouth. Don't rinse the glass with vermouth, don't wave the bottle over the glass. The vermouth is just as important in a martini as gin, so show it the proper respect.

Which martini is the original? ›

Another popular theory suggests it evolved from a co*cktail called the Martinez served sometime in the early 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, which people frequented before taking an evening ferry to the nearby town of Martinez, California.

How many types of classic martinis are there? ›

Dry, Perfect, or Wet

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 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.

Which martini is the strongest? ›

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.

Which martini is best? ›

Dry Gin Martini

There's no better way to kick off a martini recipe collection than with the martini. Made of gin and dry vermouth with an optional dash of bitters, the gin martini has an iconic taste marked with a dry botanical flavor profile.

What's a martini without vermouth called? ›

The Dry Martini

This variation is made with just gin and garnished with a twist of lemon or olive. The absence of vermouth gives the dry martini a stronger, more pronounced gin flavor, making it a preferred choice for those who enjoy the taste of gin in its purest form.

What is a 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 martini famous for? ›

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. Drink it straight or on the rocks, this co*cktail will always exude elegance and style. The famous American journalist H.L.

Why is a Dirty Martini? ›

The classic gin or vodka Martini omits the olive brine entirely. The Dirty Martini is where things start to get crazy: Bartenders add a quarter-ounce of olive brine to the co*cktail. Add more than that, and you're slipping into Filthy Martini territory.

Why is a martini so expensive? ›

Many bars attempt to keep pour costs—that is, the cost of ingredients compared to the overall price of a drink the restaurant deems sufficient to cover rent, labor and all the other costs of doing business—between 15 and 20 percent.

What is the best alcohol for a martini? ›

While gin may edge out vodka as being the more traditional martini add-in, there is no right or wrong answer. If you know you prefer one clear liquor over another, go with your gut. There's no sense in puckering through a drink you dislike just because it's “supposed” to be made a certain way.

What is the difference between a dry martini and a classic martini? ›

A dry martini means that it is less sweet, containing less dry vermouth (which is called dry itself as it is less sweet than its red counterpart). A wet martini will have a higher amount of vermouth in the mix and a dirty martini means the addition of brine.

What makes a regular martini a dirty martini? ›

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 a standard martini pour? ›

A standard martini has about one part of vermouth to about four parts of gin or vodka, though this may vary a bit based on the pour, bartender, and establishment. However, it's still a good rule of thumb – vodka makes up most of the drink, with vermouth adding a botanical bouquet of aromas and flavors.

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