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.
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 cocktail 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 cocktails 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 cocktails 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: cocktail shaker, mixing glass, chilled martini glass, rocks glass and a large ice cube mold.
Espresso Martini Cocktail Recipe
With only 4 simple ingredients, you can have this Espresso Martini ready in only 5 minutes. The perfect after-dinner dessert cocktail!
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White Chocolate Martini
Need the perfect festive cocktail 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 cocktail recipe for easy entertaining and more!
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Chocolate Martini
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
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 Cocktail
This classic French Martini recipe is a timeless cocktail perfect all year long with flavors of pineapple juice and raspberry liquor! So easy!
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Spiced Truffle Martini
A Spiced Truffle Martini is the one cocktail every dark chocolate lover needs to indulge in for cocktail hour. The spirit-forward drink finishes with a rich blend of warming spices, making it the ideal nightcap.
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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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Breakfast Martini
This Breakfast Martini is the perfect sipping cocktail that’s sweet and citrusy while also being beautiful balanced and flavorful!
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Clearwater Sunset Martini
With only 4 ingredients, this Clearwater Sunset Martini is perfectly refreshing and great for a warm afternoon!
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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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Pumpkin Pie Martini
A Pumpkin Pie Martini is a slice of pumpkin pie, made for your cocktail glass! The rich and creamy cocktail is just the right balance of sweet, boozy, pumpkin spice, and pure pumpkin.
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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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Apple Cider Martini
Sip on this Apple Cider Martini that combines cider and vodka in a glass with a caramel-coated rim that’s dipped in brown sugar!
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Cosmopolitan Martini
With the fresh flavors of cranberry and lime, this classic Cosmopolitan Martini is the ultimate warm weather sipper!
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Ginger Martini with Drunken Cranberries
Tis the season for holiday cocktails 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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Sugar Cookie Martini
Deck the halls with a Sugar Cookie Martini in hand! Serve up this festive dessert martini cocktail for holiday parties, while decorating cookies or while simply sitting by the fire for some true holiday cheer.
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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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Drunk Bunny Martini
This Easter Bunny Martini has a chocolate drizzled glass that’s filled with a smooth, rich cocktail and garnished with a chocolate bunny! Ready to enjoy in 5 minutes or less!
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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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Ginger Pomegranate Martini
Add something new to your Valentine's Day dinner menu with this seductively delicious Ginger Pomegranate Martini!
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Peppermint White Chocolate Martini
This Peppermint White Chocolate Martini is a lovely after-dinner sipper for the holidays!
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