21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (2024)

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Author: Tayler Ross

Published: 12/14/2022

Updated: 01/26/2024

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Whether you serve them at a dinner party or just need a pick me up after dinner at home, these best martini recipes are for you! From fruity to creamy and everything in between, you’re sure to find something you love for any occasion.

21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (1)

I don’t know about you, but every time I think about a martini, I think of good old James Bond saying, “Shaken, not stirred.” Just me?

A good classic martini recipe is something that every home entertainer should have up their sleeve. It can be as simple as a plain vodka martini, or something that requires a few more ingredients.

Popular Martini Recipe Ingredients

Looking to fully stock your home bar for whatever occasion may arise? Here are some helpful ingredients to have on hand for any martini order that is thrown at you.

  • A nice vodka – Many classic co*cktail recipes use a high quality vodka. Of course, you can always use your favorite, but Belvedere or Grey Goose are great.
  • Dry gin – A classic gin martini really only has gin and dry vermouth, so use a high quality gin here too. Hendrick’s and Bombay Sapphire are my favorites.
  • Sweet vermouth – This is what’s used in what’s known as “The Original Martini” or “Traditional Martini” along with orange bitters. Not ordered much anymore, but still a classic. Plus you can also use this to make Manhattans.
  • Orange liqueur – I prefer Cointreau or Gran Marnier, but you can go as simple or as basic as Triple Sec if you’d like to.
  • Flavored vodka – Something like pear vodka might not be used but a few times, but vanilla vodka is used in many martinis and other co*cktails for that matter.
  • Fun liqueur – It’s always nice to have something fun and unique to be able to throw into a martini. A great example would be elderflower liqueur or creme de cacao.
  • Juice – I always prefer to make my co*cktails with fresh juices. Fresh lemon juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, olive juice and lime juice are all great to have on hand.
  • Garnishes – Of course having wedges of citrus is great, but take it up a notch by making a lemon twist from a lemon peel or some green olives stuffed with blue cheese.

Besides ingredients, here are a few other things that are helpful to have on hand when making martinis for special occasions: co*cktail shaker, mixing glass, chilled martini glass, rocks glass and a large ice cube mold.

Espresso Martini co*cktail Recipe

4.69 from 22 votes

With only 4 simple ingredients, you can have this Espresso Martini ready in only 5 minutes. The perfect after-dinner dessert co*cktail!

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White Chocolate Martini

5 from 9 votes

Need the perfect festive co*cktail to serve this holiday season? A White Chocolate Martini, rimmed with candy canes is the perfect holiday dessert drink! Learn how to make this simple co*cktail recipe for easy entertaining and more!

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Chocolate Martini

4.61 from 64 votes

This EASY Chocolate Martini recipe is the perfect after dinner drink! It's creamy, indulgent and only requires 5 ingredients to make!

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Lemon Drop Martini Recipe

4.19 from 197 votes

A Lemon Drop Martini is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Calling for just four ingredients, these easy to make martinis are easy to sip and include a lemon sugar rim.

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French Martini co*cktail

4.38 from 48 votes

This classic French Martini recipe is a timeless co*cktail perfect all year long with flavors of pineapple juice and raspberry liquor! So easy!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (7)

Spiced Truffle Martini

A Spiced Truffle Martini is the one co*cktail every dark chocolate lover needs to indulge in forco*cktail hour. The spirit-forward drink finishes with a rich blend of warming spices, making itthe ideal nightcap.

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (8)

Bikini Martini

This bikini martini is a tropical mix of vodka, coconut rum, pineapple juice, and an eye-catching layer of grenadine. A sweet, easy drink with no alcohol burn

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (9)

Breakfast Martini

ThisBreakfast Martiniis the perfect sipping co*cktail that’s sweet and citrusy while also being beautiful balanced and flavorful!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (10)

Clearwater Sunset Martini

With only 4 ingredients, this Clearwater Sunset Martini is perfectly refreshing and great for a warm afternoon!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (11)

Tiramisu Martini

End a special dinner with a Tiramisu Martini. It tastes just like the classic Italian dessert in liquid form, without all the effort!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (12)

Pumpkin Pie Martini

A Pumpkin Pie Martini is a slice of pumpkin pie, made for your co*cktail glass! The rich and creamy co*cktail is just the right balance of sweet, boozy, pumpkin spice, and purepumpkin.

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (13)

Sapphire Martini

Known for its vibrant blue color, this sapphire martini is a bright, citrusy drink made from a mix of Bombay Sapphire Gin, blue curacao, and dry vermouth!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (14)

Apple Cider Martini

Sip on thisApple Cider Martinithat combines cider and vodka in a glass with a caramel-coated rim that’s dipped in brown sugar!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (15)

Cosmopolitan Martini

With the fresh flavors of cranberry and lime, this classic Cosmopolitan Martini is the ultimate warm weather sipper!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (16)

Ginger Martini with Drunken Cranberries

Tis the season for holiday co*cktails and an Ginger Martini with Drunken Cranberries is just the spicy, slightly sweet, and boozy drink you need to be whipping up!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (17)

Sugar Cookie Martini

Deck the halls with a Sugar Cookie Martini in hand! Serve up this festive dessert martini co*cktail for holiday parties, while decorating cookies or while simply sitting by the fire for some true holiday cheer.

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (18)

Chocolate Cream Pie Martini

If you love the cream pie, this drink is for you! A rich chocolate martini with whipped topping and just enough boozy burn to warm up your holiday.

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (19)

Drunk Bunny Martini

ThisEaster Bunny Martinihas a chocolate drizzled glass that’s filled with a smooth, rich co*cktail and garnished with a chocolate bunny! Ready to enjoy in 5 minutes or less!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (20)

Blueberry Lemon Martini

You only need three simple ingredients to make this delicious Blueberry Lemon Martini! Perfect for a warm summer day!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (21)

Ginger Pomegranate Martini

Add something new to your Valentine's Day dinner menu with this seductively delicious Ginger Pomegranate Martini!

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21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (22)

Peppermint White Chocolate Martini

This Peppermint White Chocolate Martini is a lovely after-dinner sipper for the holidays!

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More Fun co*cktails

  • Dirty Shirley
  • Easy Mint Mojitos
  • Orange Crush co*cktail
21+ BEST Martini Recipes (Perfect for any Special Occasion!) (2024)

FAQs

What's in the perfect martini? ›

In co*cktail terms, the word "perfect" typically means that the drink will include equal parts of both dry and sweet vermouth. That's exactly what you get in the perfect martini and it's a fabulous drink for anyone who loves gin. This recipe is the "perfect" version of the classic gin martini.

What is the difference between a 50 50 martini and a perfect martini? ›

A halfsies martini, which is also known as a half and half martini, a perfect martini, a 50/50 martini or a 50/50 co*cktail, is a co*cktail that reduces the ABV content of a standard martini significantly by mixing equal parts of vodka or gin and vermouth.

What is the most popular 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 two martini rule? ›

In certain martini venues, the “two martini rule” is observed. Once you have consumed two, you must move on to a soft drink, such as wine or a gin and tonic.

What does dirty mean in a martini? ›

Dirty Martini: Using a bit of olive brine makes a Martini dirty. The brine can be used instead of or with the vermouth. Smoky Martini: Gin with a splash of Scotch whisky, stirred and garnished with a lemon twist. Straight up: A Martini 'straight up' means shaken or stirred with ice and strained into the glass.

What is the difference between a martini and a perfect martini? ›

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 the best vermouth for a martini? ›

6 Best Vermouths for Your Next Martini
  • Dolin Dry Vermouth. Give your martini a taste of France with Dolin Dry Vermouth. ...
  • Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth. If dry martinis are your go-to, I'm sure you're already aware of Cinzao Extra Dry. ...
  • Martini & Rossi Fiero. ...
  • Padro & Co Vermouth Rojo Amargo. ...
  • Antica Torino Bianco Vermouth.

What is a $100 dollar martini? ›

Stoli Elit Vodka, Grand Marnier 150 and Courvoisier. Garnish with chutzpah. At a hundred bucks, be sure to ask for it shaken and stirred. The $100 martini is part of Lee Lewis' martini makeover at El Gaucho.

What is a martini without olive juice called? ›

Gibson. A Gibson is simply a Martini garnished with a co*cktail onion, rather than an olive or lemon twist.

What martini does James Bond drink? ›

A Vesper Martini comprises three shots London dry gin, one shot vodka and half a shot dry French wine aperitif. It's James Bond's drink of choice and, thanks to the movie franchise, is famously ordered with the specification for it to be "shaken not stirred".

What are the three types of martini? ›

Let me explain a little more how the ratio actually works. There are three main types of Martini: wet, dry and perfect.

What makes a martini extra dirty? ›

An extra dirty martini co*cktail contains a generous portion of olive brine. The “dirty” part of a Dirty Martini co*cktail relates to the olive ingredients, and “extra dirty” just means more olive flavor, like in the Dirtiest Martini co*cktail. There are many different ways to make a martini co*cktail to your liking.

What is the formula for a dirty martini? ›

Stir together vodka, dry vermouth, brine, and olives in a mixing glass. Pour into a glass or shaker with ice. Serve on the rocks, or strain into chilled co*cktail glasses. Enjoy!

What 4 questions you ask when someone orders a martini? ›

Ask four questions:
  • Vodka or gin?
  • Up (martini glass) or on the rocks (rocks glass)?
  • How dry do you want it? -Not dry- 1 count dry vermouth. -Dry- 2-5 drops dry vermouth. - Extra dry- 1 drop dry vermouth. - in and out- swich around dry vermouth in glass and throw it away.
  • Garnish with oliver (1 or 3) or lemon twist?

References

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