A martini is an old-school cocktail that definitely has some mystery to it. 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 40 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, cocktails 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 cocktails. Have more of a sweet tooth? Try our Baileys Irish Creme cocktails—they’re pretty much dessert in a glass.
Dirty Martini
As every bartender worth their salt will tell you, the ratio for the perfect dirty martini is 5:1:1—chilled gin: dry vermouth: olive brine. That gets poured over a few ice cubes (like 3 to 5) and stirred until a little of the ice dilutes to tame this stiff classic cocktail.
Get the Dirty Martini recipe.
Porn Star Martini
If you’re unfamiliar with this provocatively named cocktail, it’s made up of vanilla vodka, simple syrup, tart passion fruit (purée and liqueur), and bubbly Prosecco. It’s a summertime mood in a glass, and is ideal for when you're hot, sweaty, and thirsty.
Get the Porn Star Martini recipe.
Vesper Martini
Named for Vesper Lynd, James Bond’s love interest in the 1953 novel Casino Royale, this infamously shaken and not stirred cocktail is a three-ingredient heavy hitter and the perfect pairing for a steak dinner.
Get the Vesper Martini recipe.
Lemon Meringue Pie Martinis
If you rarely break out of your espresso martini shell, now is the time. Unapologetically sweet, tart, and boozy, this martini is like having your dessert and drinking it too.
Get the Lemon Meringue Pie Martinis recipe.
Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini
Baileys and a little vodka turn a frozen hot chocolate into a party-worthy cocktail. Because it uses hot chocolate mix, it comes together fast too. It would definitely be a hit around the winter holidays, but since it’s frozen, we see no reason you can’t make it all summer long too.
Get the Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini recipe.
Dragon Fruit Drop Martini
When life gives you lemons, make a lemon drop, but if you want to make a lemon drop even more delicious, add dragon fruit. The tropical fruit, also known as pitaya, offers a delicate sweetness and a vibrant pink hue that adds a colorful complement to the iconic citrus cocktail.
Get the Dragon Fruit Drop Martini recipe.
Chocolate Martini
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.
Tomato Tini
Instead of olive brine, this martini gets its rich flavor and vibrant color from tomatoes. If you’re skeptical, hear us out: Think of this cocktail as a cleaner, crisper version of a Bloody Mary.
Get the Tomato Tini recipe.
Frozen Espresso Martini
On a hot summer day (or any happy hour, all year long), nothing quite hits the spot like an ice-cold espresso martini. The only thing that could possible be better? A frozen espresso martini, topped with spiked whipped cream.
Get the Frozen Espresso Martini recipe.
Classic Vodka Martini
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.
Drunken Peanut Butter Cups
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.
Appletini
These babies are tart, bright green, and quite strong. Enjoy with caution 😈.
Get the Best-Ever Appletini recipe.
Dalgona Martini
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.
Pomegranate Martini
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.
Porn Star Mock-tini
This mocktail has all the flavors of the original porn star martini but none of the hangover. The star flavor of the passion fruit juice adds a tart zippiness that’s balanced lovingly with a warm vanilla simple syrup and a bright, bubbly sidecar of club soda.
Get the Porn Star Mock-tini recipe.
Crème Brûlée Martini
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.
Cottontail-Tini
We're all about the nostalgic whimsy of incorporating a childhood candy favorite into a cocktail. The cotton candy is not only a garnish, but an interactive element to the drink—you can watch the candy dissolve into your glass and sweeten the cocktail after dropping it into your drink.
Get the Cottontail-Tini recipe.
Espresso Martini
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.
Sugar Cookie Martinis
Love Christmas sugar cookies? Us too, so we made this festive cocktail 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.
Peeptini
Alert: Easter candy is not just for kids anymore! We took inspiration from one of our favorites—Peeps—to make a fun pink Peep-tini that’s perfect for an Easter brunch or party. Try one, and you might just find yourself making this adorable dessert cocktail all spring long.
Get the Peeptini recipe.
