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

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 are the most popular martinis? ›

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? ›

Suggested ingredients: London-style gin, such as Beefeater's, yields the most classic martini. For the vermouth, Dolin dry is excellent. Gin is the traditional choice, but you can use vodka if preferred—try Tito's or Grey Goose. Measurement tips: Two ounces is ¼ cup.

How to make all types of martinis? ›

How to make different styles of the Martini
  1. Classic or Wet Martini. Calls for 3 ½ oz gin and ½ ounce dry vermouth. ...
  2. Extra-Dry Martini. Calls for 3 ½ ounce gin or vodka, and dry vermouth and out. ...
  3. Bone-Dry Martini. Calls for 3 ½ ounces gin or vodka, no vermouth. ...
  4. Dirty Martini. ...
  5. 50/50 Martini.
Apr 4, 2023

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.

What is the best martini for beginners? ›

If you're not sure what you prefer, Pollak recommends that newcomers start with a 50/50 Martini, which contains equal parts spirit and dry vermouth, or a Dirty Martini if you enjoy olives.

Which martini is the strongest? ›

Bone Dry Martini

A Martini is made using either gin or vodka with the addition of vermouth, a fortified wine which has a low alcohol content. Removing the vermouth from this mix makes this drink 'bone dry' and possibly one of the most alcoholic drinks you can get, as it's made with 100 per cent alcohol.

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 a martini that is not dirty? ›

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.

What is perfect in a martini order? ›

Finally, you could choose a “perfect” martini, which uses a blend of both sweet and dry vermouth. As far as garnishes go, it's hard to beat the “olive on a stick” that's been standard for years. You can also order it “with a twist” which will get you a twist of lemon peel, or you can go “clean” for no garnish at all.

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.

How many kinds of Martinis are there? ›

Wet, Dry, Bone Dry, Gibson and more here's all the variations explained. We've written about the history of the Martini as well as the on-going debate over stirring or shaking in a separate article, but with hundreds of Martini recipes and myths surrounding the iconic serve, we decided to address a few below.

What co*cktail is similar to a martini? ›

Like a Martini? Try a Martinez. Before there was the Martini, there was the Martinez. Born in California (most likely) in the 1860s or 1870s (as many drinks scholars will generally agree), the Martinez is often considered the missing link between the Manhattan and the Martini.

What is the best martini to order? ›

At the top of the list of the best types of martinis: the Classic Dry Martini! With one sip it announces itself: crisp, cool, searing, and spirit-forward. It's seeped in tradition, and there's no co*cktail that has the amount of variations: shaken or stirred, gin or vodka, straight or on the rocks.

How many martini variations are there? ›

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 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 are the different types of dirty martinis? ›

As a result, gin-based Dirty Martinis tend to taste more complex, with additional notes of botanicals. Vodka Dirty Martinis have a more distinct flavor of olive and olive brine. Both are good in their own way, so it's down to personal taste which you prefer.

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