Everyone – alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers alike – knows what a martini is, even if it’s just because of James Bond’s favorite “shaken, not stirred” drink. However, Bond’s classic vesper martini isn’t the only martini option out there, and this list of 21 martini cocktails is proof of that. You can make a good martini with just about anything. There are smoky martinis, pineapple martinis, orange bitter martinis, and more. Heck, there’s even a chocolate truffle martini and a Snickertini (Snickers chocolate martini) to satisfy the chocoholics among us! Whatever you’re in the mood for, get ready to find it on this list of 21 super delicious martini cocktails.
20+ Easy Martini Recipes You’ll Love
1. Classic Vodka Martini
This isn’t James Bond’s classic martini, but it is the classic martini, the one you’ll make with vodka, dry vermouth, ice, and a twist of lemon. It’s vaguely tart, dry but not bitter, and pretty much the perfect drink. It’s sophisticated, easy to make, and has the precise amount of kick to start your night off right. When it comes to martinis, you can’t go wrong with a good old-fashion vodka martini.
2. Smoky Martini
This aged, oaky, and smoky martini foregoes vodka altogether and uses dry gin and scotch whiskey instead. The only thing that stays the same is the lemon twist. It still looks like a martini, and it retains the martini’s crisp dryness, but the flavor is entirely different. If you like rich, woodsy cocktails, the smoky martini is the right choice for you.
3. Chocolate Truffle Martini
This bubbly white drink may look like a freshly poured glass of milk, but it tastes much sweeter. You’ll only need three ingredients to make it: vanilla vodka, white chocolate cream liquor, and cream. It takes 2 minutes to prepare, and it tastes like chocolate truffle heaven. Add coconut flakes to the rim or chocolate shavings as a topping for extra decadence.
4. Pumpkin Pie Martini
This 10-minute martini is sweet, creamy, and downright delicious, if you like pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice, that is. This is the ideal drink for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any fall occasion. It has plenty of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, and it smells (and looks) as amazing as it tastes.
5. Mistletoe Martini Cranberry Cocktail
When it comes to Christmas drinks, most people go for hot buttered rum, eggnog, or some type of creamy peppermint drink, but Christmas drinks don’t have to be overly sugary and decadent. If you’re looking for something less creamy and more refreshing, try this cranberry cocktail. It’s both tart and sweet and has a ton of bright cranberry flavor. It’s pretty and colorful and has a lightly floral scent that’s a true delight.
6. Pineapple Martini
For this simple martini, you’ll add equal parts vodka and pineapple juice over ice. Add a spritz of lime juice and stick a slice on the side, and you’re all set. You get lots of pineapple yumminess, but there’s also enough vodka flavor in there to let you know you’re drinking it. If you’re looking for a simple beachside drink, give this one a try.
7. Caramel Apple Martini
Here’s another delightful fall martini that’ll have you wishing it was October all year long. You’ll enjoy the bold flavors of apple cider (fresh is best) and caramel vodka over ice. Prepare the rim of your glass with caramel sauce and white and gold sugar for aesthetics and an extra bit of sweetness, and add some apple slices as garnishes. If you like caramel apples from the fair, you’ll love this drink because that’s almost exactly what it tastes like. If you want, you can add a dusting of cinnamon to the rim, as well.
8. French Martini
If you’re looking for a martini cocktail that’s prettier, lighter, and sweeter, try this recipe for the French martini instead. This lovely pink drink is elegant and suitable for both formal occasions and fun brunches with friends. The vodka flavor is wholly lost beneath the pineapple juice and raspberry taste of the Chambord, so if you don’t relish tasting the liquor in your drink, this is an excellent choice.
9. Watermelon Martini
Refreshing summer martinis are easier to come by than refreshing Christmas martinis, and this watermelon martini is one of the very best. It has a wonderfully tart taste that’s almost like lemonade mixed with sweetened watermelon. It’s fruity, citrusy, and not too sugary sweet. Plus, you get to eat the watermelon garnishes when you’re done, and that’s always a good thing.
10. Pecan Pie Martini
If you had told me before I tried this drink that you could make me a cocktail that tastes just like a pecan pie, I would have rolled my eyes and told you to keep dreaming. But with nothing more than pecan-flavored vodka, vanilla-flavored vodka, Irish cream liqueur, and heavy cream, you could have delivered on that promise. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy an old favorite this holiday season, give this pecan pie martini a try. And don’t forget the maple syrup, brown sugar, and crushed pecan dusted rim!
11. White Chocolate Martini
This five-ingredient white chocolate martini is a lot like the chocolate truffle martini above, but it’s thicker, creamier, and has a bit more chocolate flavor to it. You’ll make it with white chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, vanilla vodka, half-and-half, and ice. Then, you’ll throw some dark chocolate shavings on top to make it even more beautiful. This cocktail is for anyone who likes to mix their desserts and drinks into one overly indulgent (and delicious) package.
12. Pear Elderflower Martini
Oh my goodness. I can’t possibly explain to you in words how much I love this drink. It’s so unbelievably good that it almost makes you want to drink much more often than you should just for the flavor. It combines pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sliced pears for garnishes. The taste is so light and refreshing, and it’s unlike any other drink I’ve ever tried.
13. Sparkling Raspberry Martini
What’s even better than a delectable raspberry martini? A delectable sparkling raspberry martini, of course! This is a light drink in taste, but it has the same two ounces of vodka as most martinis, plus 10 ounces of Prosecco or Champagne, so don’t let its sweetness fool you. It’s still a moderately strong drink, at least on par with other martinis. Unlike others on the list, this one is incredibly sweet, though, so be aware of that before making it.
14. Nilla Wafer Martini
It doesn’t get much simpler than this 3-minute, three-ingredient Nilla Wafer martini. With nothing more than ice, vanilla vodka, and amaretto, you can have it ready to serve. It’s lightly sweet but not sugary, and it tastes remarkably similar to a Nilla Wafer, hence the name. If you’re a fan of vanilla and almond, you’ll love this tasty drink.
15. Orange Bitter Martini
This martini is dry, citrusy, and, as the name implies, somewhat on the bitter side. It tastes strongly of gin and orange liqueur, and it pairs well with its salty olive garnish. If you’re looking for a cleansing, refreshing drink before dinner, give the orange bitter martini a try.
16. Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini
If you like drinks that balance perfectly on that line between sweet and tart, then you’ll go crazy for the strawberry lemon drop martini. The recipe calls for Ketel One Citroen Vodka (though you can use another brand if you prefer), fresh lemon juice, fresh strawberries, and extra-fine sugar. It’s like a slightly sour and spiked version of strawberry lemonade, and that flavor and its lovely orange color make it ideal for the summer holidays. Pro Tip: You can adjust the sweetness/sourness of the drink simply by playing around with your lemon juice-to-sugar ratio, creating a drink that suits your tastes exactly.
17. Peaches and Cream Martini
This orange sanding sugar-rimmed drink looks like the perfect choice for your Halloween celebrations, but its fruity peach taste makes it much more appropriate for the spring and summer months. It’s a rich and creamy drink that falls definitively on the sweet side of the spectrum, and its ingredients list is pretty intense, but don’t let that scare you away. Trust me when I tell you that delicious peach and chocolate flavor is worth every one of the 25 minutes you’ll spend making the drinks.
18. Ouzo Martini
The Ouzo martini has an interesting flavor that’s tangy, slightly tart, and somewhat bitter. If you’ve never had Ouzo, you might initially be surprised by its strong black licorice flavor. The pineapple, orange, and lime juices in this drink help tone it down some, though, and you’ll find that this orange-yellow drink grows on you rather quickly.
19. Blood Orange Martini
The blood orange martini is a stunning drink that you can make with just five ingredients in only 5 minutes. It’s so simple and so gorgeous that you’ll want to whip out this recipe every weekend. It’s zesty and citrusy, and the two ounces of gin and half an ounce of Cointreau give it a nice kick that’ll have you feeling happy after just a couple of drinks. Plus, blood oranges just make such awesome garnishes!
20. Snickertini (Snickers Chocolate Martini)
This 5-minute drink may not be a Snickers in a glass, but it’s close enough that fans of the nutty candy bar will love it. The caramel vodka and Irish cream taste fantastic together already. When you add in the chocolate liqueur, amaretto, and a dash of half-and-half, you’ll have a creamy, chocolatey, nutty delight. This one is too sweet to drink every day, but if you’re looking for something a bit self-indulgent with which to treat yourself on a special occasion, it’s a great choice.
21. Cucumber Martini
I love cucumber mixed drinks because they’re so clean and fresh, and the cucumbers give them such a unique flavor. This drink is dry but not bitter and basically tastes like cucumber water with a generous dash of vodka added in for good measure. If that sounds like something you’d like, be sure to give it a try. Click on a star to rate it!
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