Chocolate Martini
This ultra-chocolatey martini is what dessert cocktail dreams are made of.
Serves2
Prep5 minutes
Satisfy your chocolate cravings with a luxurious (and very grown-up) chocolate martini. This dynamic drink combines all the richness of chocolate with flavored liqueurs and vodka. It’s truly the definition of the perfect dessert cocktail, perfect for celebrating special occassions (like Valentine’s Day). Here’s how to make them.
Key Ingredients in a Chocolate Martini
- Chocolate liqueur: Typically chocolate martinis are made with chocolate liqueur, like Godiva.
- Vodka: Vanilla vodka is particularly well-suited to complementing the chocolate notes, but the drink is just as enjoyable with plain vodka.
- Baileys Irish Cream liqueur: You’ll need something creamy such as Baileys or heavy cream.
- Chocolate syrup: An extra bit of chocolate syrup (preferably dark) ups the chocolate flavor.
How to Make Chocolate Martinis
- Freeze the martini glasses. You’ll want to chill them in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
- Garnish the martini glasses. How do you garnish a chocolate martini? With more chocolate, obviously. First garnish the glass with a chocolate sauce rim and a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce in a zigzag pattern.
- Shake it up. While martinis can technically be shaken or stirred, give this one a good shake to make sure all the ingredients come together (chocolate sauce can stick to the bottom of the glass). It’ll also make sure the martini is well-chilled. Practice your best bartender shake by holding the shaker with both hands — one on the top lid and the other on the canister — then shake with intention, moving the
cocktail shaker
- Top it off with more chocolate. Then for a pretty finish, shave a chocolate bar over top with a peeler.
Helpful Swaps
- While vodka really lets the chocolate shine, other liquors like whiskey and rye pair lovely with chocolate if you want a more assertive liquor.
- If you don’t want to invest in both chocolate liqueur and Baileys, swap the Baileys with more chocolate liqueur and add in an ounce of half-and-half.
Chocolate Martini Recipe
This ultra-chocolatey martini is what dessert cocktail dreams are made of.
Prep time 5 minutes
Serves 2
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons
chocolate syrup, preferably dark, plus more for drizzling
Ice
- 5 ounces
regular or vanilla vodka
- 4 ounces
chocolate liqueur, such as Godvia
- 3 ounces
Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
- 1/2 ounce
dark chocolate
Instructions
Place 2 martini glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the chocolate syrup on a small shallow plate; dip the rims of the frozen martini glasses in the chocolate syrup. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup inside the glasses in a zigzag pattern. The glasses can be used immediately or frozen until ready to drink.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add 5 ounces vanilla vodka, 4 ounces chocolate liqueur, and 3 ounces Baileys. Cover and shake vigorously until well-chilled and the outside of the shaker is frosty, about 15 seconds.
Strain into the prepared glasses. Use a vegetable peeler to shave dark chocolate over each drink.
Recipe Notes
Make ahead: Prepare the martini mixture up to 5 days in advance and refrigerate an airtight container. Shake with ice before serving.
To serve a crowd: You can scale up the recipe and mix ingredients in a pitcher. Shake in small batches as needed.