The holidays are coming and with that so are the holiday cocktails! But no matter the mood or vibe of your Christmas party, these 11 best Christmas Martini recipes are sure to bring the festive cheer to your guests.
Whether it’s sophistication you’re looking for, or a big, fat, gimmick, we’ve got it all waiting for you below. So, let’s get this holiday season in order…
1. Cherry Christmas Martini
Up first on the Christmas Martini cocktail recipes is a typically festive selection. The Cherry Christmas Martini is an excellent balance of delicate sweet flavours – with a little touch of elderflower and a little tart bite of cherry, it’ll have your guests awake and ready to dance the night away.
But given they’re so easy to make and drink, make sure to monitor your holiday party well!
Ingredients
- 45ml vodka
- 15ml elderflower liqueur
- 45ml cherry juice
Method
- Step 1 – Add all the ingredients listed above to an iced cocktail shaker and shake hard.
- Step 2 – Pour into a Martini glass and serve up.
2. Cranberry Martini
Cranberries are a Christmas staple. Everywhere you look you’ll find a cranberry there staring right back at you – that’s how festive they are. That said, here’s a cranberry-themed recipe. We highly recommend making this amazing Christmas Martini drink for just how absolutely delicious it is.
Don’t pass the cranberry sauce this Christmas, pass the Cranberry Martini!
Ingredients
- 45ml vodka
- 45ml cranberry juice (un-sweetened cranberry juice is best)
- 15ml orange liqueur
- 15ml dry vermouth
Method
- Step 1 – Take the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and dry vermouth, and add it to a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well.
- Step 2 – Strain into a chilled Martini glass to serve.
This cranberry delight is super similar to the Christmas Margarita. So, if you’re more into your tequila than vodka or gin, we definitely recommend this as a Mexican alternative!
3. Apple Martini
Looking for a delightfully refreshing Martini option? Look no further than the Apple Martini. Marrying the tart flavours of apple and lemon with some sugar syrup turns your mouth into a sensory battleground. Of course, the outcome is always a win for you because it’s such a great combination. Ha!
These are best served to cleanse the palette of your guests, before that big beef joint or roast turkey.
Ingredients
- 40ml vodka
- 20ml apple liqueur
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
Method
- Step 1 – Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.
- Step 2 – Fine strain into a Martini glass and serve up with a lemon zest garnish.
Find out the easiest simple syrup for cocktails recipe right here and get making cocktails ASAP!
4. Grinch Martini
Yes, it’s yet another Grinch-themed recipe. They come two-a-penny during the holiday season (and not all of them are good). But we want to give you our word that this one is a cracker!
If you’re a fan of creamy drinks and creamy minty flavours, you’ll absolutely love it! If not, The Grinch might not be for you!
You might have seen the Grinch Martini’s little brother in our Christmas shot recipes. There, you’ll find out how to make a Grinch shot, if the Martini just isn’t cutting it.
Ingredients
- 60ml vanilla vodka
- 30ml crème de menthe
- 30ml white chocolate liqueur
Method
- Step 1 – Add the ingredients to a mixing glass of ice and stir 30 seconds each way.
- Step 2 – Pour into a Martini glass and serve up.
- Step 2 – Garnish with a twist of lemon.
5. Dry Martini
A bartending classic, the Dry Martini has stood the test of time. Still as popular today as it was upon its creation, it’s simple, elegant and understated.
It’s not strictly a Christmas Martini, but it’s fantastic to have at Christmas celebrations. What’s better is the economic argument. December is an expensive time of the year and these simple ingredients keep the budget down! As easy Christmas Martini recipes go, this is the easiest.
Ingredients
- 60ml gin or vodka
- 1 bar spoon dry vermouth
Method
- Step 1 – Grab a mixing glass and pour the ingredients into it with ice.
- Step 2 – Stir for around 30 seconds each way and Julep strain into a chilled Martini glass to serve.
6. Espresso Martini
Thought the Dry Martini was popular? It’s got nothing on this bad boy. Not only will it tantilise taste buds, but it’ll also wake you up. If you’re attending a marathon Christmas party (or even a NYE party a few weeks later), then you’ll want to start making some Espresso Martinis. Just make sure you abide by the recipe, otherwise you’ll blow your head off with alcohol.
Ingredients
- 40ml vodka
- 20ml Kahlúa
- 10ml sugar syrup
- 1 shot of espresso coffee
Method
- Step 1 – Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake up.
- Step 2 – Fine strain into a Martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans for serving.
7. Vanilla Pornstar Martini
There aren’t many other cocktails that get people in a party mood than the Pornstar Martini. Just the mere presence of the Champagne shot is enough to get people in a silly, goofy mood. Do you shot it? Sip it? The choice is yours! Whatever you decide, just remember to have a good festive time. Christmas Martinis have never been so good!
Ingredients
- 40ml vanilla vodka
- 20ml passionfruit liqueur
- 20ml passionfruit purée
- 20ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml vanilla syrup
- Champagne (as a shot)
Method
- Step 1 – Take all the ingredients, minus the Champagne, and add to a cocktail shaker of ice. Shake well for 30 seconds.
- Step 2 – Strain into a Coupe glass and serve with a shot of Champagne on the side.
8. Ice Martini
The Ice Martini is a proper holiday Martini. It’s blue, crammed-full of alcohol, great tasting and easy to make. It ticks every box!
Now, you may be part of that group in society that doesn’t trust blue cocktails. We totally understand this, however you’re so very, very wrong. Most often they contain Blue Curaçao, an orange liqueur coloured blue. It’s a great tasting orange liqueur and much more subtle than a Triple Sec or Cointreau. If you want the ‘wow-factor’ and a great tasting cocktail this holiday season, go for the Ice Martini.
Ingredients
- 60ml gin
- 30ml Blue Curaçao
- 30ml dry vermouth
Method
- Step 1 – Pour all the ingredients into an iced Boston shaker and shake up for 30 seconds.
- Step 2 – Pour out the cocktail into a chilled Martini glass for a frosted effect when serving.
9. Raspberry Christmas Martini
Want some easy Christmas cocktails recipes? It doesn’t get much easier than this (apart from the Dry Martini)! With just two ingredients to consider, even those with minimal bartending experience can make this with success! All you need to do is shake and pour. Simple! Then, you’ll have yourself a delicious Christmas Martini to sip on. We say ‘sip on’ rather than drink, because patience is virtue with Martini drinking. Especially those that are solely alcohol!
Ingredients
- 60ml vodka
- 45ml raspberry liqueur
Method
- Step 1 – Add the vodka and raspberry liqueur to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Step 2 – Fine strain the cocktail into a Martini glass with raspberry garnish.
10. Baileys Martini
You might imagine a classic Christmas Martini recipe with Baileys is something like a Sugar Cookie Martini. But this can be way too sweet and sickly for the regular drinker. Plus, you probably want to actually taste the Baileys, rather than experience a subtle hint.
With this in mind, it’s time for you to whip out the cocktail shaker and strainer for this beauty. We like to see it as an adult milkshake. It’s a much better Christmas dessert option and you won’t need to sacrifice any food to make way for it after. Perfect!
Ingredients
- 60ml Baileys Irish cream
- 60ml white chocolate liqueur
- 30ml vodka
Method
- Step 1 – Add all the ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake hard for around 30 seconds.
- Step 2 – Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with either chocolate shavings or powder.
11. Gingerbread Martini
The final Christmas Martini recipe we have to offer! But don’t be sad because it’s over, be happy because it happened. Anyway, if you’re looking for ‘fun Christmas drinks’ but not something as gimmicky as the Grinch Martini, this is the Martini for you!
This very boozy festive cocktail is ready to spice up your life (literally). The mix of vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, brandy and actual gingerbread syrup means a well-balanced cocktail is within reach. Plus, it’s remarkably close to the flavour of gingerbread! If the office party is getting a little cold, warm your cockles with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 60ml vanilla vodka
- 30ml Kahlúa
- 15ml brandy
- 30ml gingerbread syrup
- 2 tbsp fresh whipped cream
Method
- Step 1 – Pour all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake up well.
- Step 2 – Strain into a Martini glass and serve up with some ginger bread!
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