Christmas martinis can embody all of the best flavors of the holiday season, ranging from sweet drinks to heady mixtures. Take a look at these 11 holiday martini recipes as you start planning your seasonal festivities, and see which ones make the cut.
Christmas Cookie Martini
Inspired by the warmth of your yearly Christmas cookies, this martini recipe combines heavy cream, Frangelico, and vanilla vodka for a sweetly satisfying drink.
Ingredients
- Orange wedge for garnish
- Crushed cookies for garnish
- 1½ ounces heavy cream
- ½ ounce Frangelico
- 1½ ounces vanilla vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- Run an orange wedge across the rim of a cocktail glass and dip it into a plate filled with crushed cookies. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the heavy cream, Frangelico, and vanilla vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glass.
Eggnog Martini
Throw out your boring eggnog display and turn the classic holiday concoction into a refined martini using this recipe.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the eggnog, Amaretto, and vanilla vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a dash of ground nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Naughty Christmas Martini
If you're looking to have a good time this holiday season, try out this naughty Christmas martini which mixes vodka and Champagne.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka, chilled
- 2½ ounces Champagne, chilled
Instructions
- In a chilled martini glass, pour the vodka and Champagne.
- Stir together and serve.
Warm Glass of Milk Martini
Even adults deserve a warm glass of milk, and this martini recipe turns your childhood comfort into an adult indulgence.
Ingredients
- Chocolate syrup for garnish (optional)
- 2 ounces RumChata
- 1 ounce vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- Swirl some chocolate syrup around the inside of a chilled martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the RumChata and vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the martini glass.
Mr. Mint Martini
Take a trip with Mr. Mint through the Peppermint Forest and into a delicious glass of this minty martini.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge for garnish
- Crushed peppermint for garnish
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- ½ ounce peppermint schnapps
- 1 ounce vodka
- Ice
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and dip it into a plate filled with crushed peppermint sticks. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the heavy cream, peppermint schnapps, and vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
Warm & Fuzzy Martini
The holidays are always filled with warm and fuzzy feelings, and this cocktail recipe should make your insides feel just as warm and fuzzy; just combine apple cider, orange liqueur, amaretto, and vodka together.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces apple cider
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce vodka
- Ice
- Ball of ice or king cube
- Star anise for garnish
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the apple cider, orange liqueur, amaretto, and vodka.
- Add ice and shake for about ten seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe with a ball of ice or king cube.
- Garnish with a few star anise and a cinnamon stick.
Red-Nosed Martini
Taking inspiration from Santa's famous reindeer, this minty fresh cocktail mimics Rudolph's bright red nose with its red cherry garnish.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- Splash sweet vermouth
- Splash peppermint schnapps
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a martini glass, combine the vodka, sweet vermouth, and peppermint schnapps.
- Stir the ingredients together.
- Garnish with a cherry.
Mint to Be Martini
You and this cocktail are mint to be; just combine peppermint vodka and splash of water for a quick and easy holiday drink.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge for garnish
- White rock candy for garnish
- 2 ounces peppermint vodka
- Splash water
- Mint candy for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and dip it into a plate filled with white rock candy.
- In the prepared martini glass, combine the peppermint vodka and water and stir.
- Garnish with a round peppermint.
Holly Jolly Martini
You'll definitely have a holly jolly Christmas when you have a few of these cranberry juice, vodka, and vermouth martinis.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge for garnish
- Sugar for garnish
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1½ ounces vodka
- Splash sweet vermouth
- Ice
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and dip the glass into a plate filled with sugar. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, vodka, and vermouth.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
Cherry Christmas Martini
This cherry Christmas martini combines cherry juice, lemon juice, and cherry vodka for a tart and sweet cocktail moment.
Ingredients
- Lemon wedge for garnish
- Sugar for garnish
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1½ ounces cherry juice
- 1 ounce cherry vodka
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a martini glass and dip the glass into a plate filled with sugar. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, cherry juice, and cherry vodka.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
- Garnish with a cherry.
Traditional Christmas Martini
If you're looking for something that's not as elaborate as many other holiday cocktails are, try this more traditional Christmas martini recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Dash Dr. Adam Elmegirab's Christmas Bitters
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a martini glass, combine the gin, dry vermouth, and Christmas bitters.
- Stir together and garnish with a lemon twist.
Ways to Garnish a Holiday Martini
Themed Martinis are among the most fun to decorate because the opportunities are only limited by the scope of your imagination. For some inspiration on how you can bring the holiday cheer to your craft cocktails, take a look at these fun garnishes:
- Take a strip of ribbon and tie a bow about the stem of a martini glass.
- Hook a candy cane off the edge of the martini's rim.
- Top a finished drink off with a dash of ground holiday spices like nutmeg or cinnamon.
- Prepare your glasses with a sugar or candy rim for an added touch of sweetness.
- Add a sprig of holly for a classic Christmas finish.
- Top with a few cranberries or cranberry skewer.
Christmas Is for Cocktails
You're meant to indulge in good times and good food during the holiday season, and what better way to marry the two together than making a few holiday-inspired cocktails to share with your family and friends? Whether you're more of a martini purist, you like your martinis sweet like candy, or like the creamiest, most decadent takes on the classic drink, any of these recipes should go down smooth. And if you're already to chilly for a cold cocktail, Warm yourself up with a hot Christmas drink.
