Chocolate Martini Recipe

Ah, the Chocolate Martini: The decadent, creamy cocktail typically made of vodka (sometimes even super sweet vanilla vodka), chocolate liqueur, and creme de cacao. It’s the queen of dessert cocktails: A chocolate lovers’ dream and the pride of restaurants where they sing to you on your birthday.

There are various ingredient variations you can play with in this dessert Martini: Sometimes it includes Baileys Irish Cream liqueur, the prepared glass dripping with chocolate syrup and grated chocolate. Other times, you might add heavy cream or even choose chocolate vodka.

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You could also strip it all down to just 2 ounces plain vodka and 1 ounce chocolate liqueur. Just make sure to grab quality ingredients if they’re not going to hide behind a Martini glass full of chocolate sauce.

A liquid dessert in and of itself, it’s a truly indulgent cocktail with numerous possibilities and ample calories. (Confession time: This was a go-to favorite of mine in the 2000s, and I preferred the simpler version but with Absolut Vanilla. Hey, I was in my 20s and didn’t have this awesome, educational job yet.)

 

 

WHAT’S IN A MARTINI ANYWAY?

Is it a real Martini? Why, no… No, it most definitely is not. It does not follow the spirit-forward family recipe of spirit + fortified wine (vermouth) + bitters.

Rather, it’s a a faux-tini, part of the “Martini craze” of the 1990s and early 2000s. A thorn in the side of the modern craft cocktail movement, it’s rumored to have been invented (or at least popularized) by Hollywood legends Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor on the set of their 1955 movie Giant.

But today, we are not traveling back in time. Rather, we’re doing something just a little different, compliments of our resident bartender, Rob Harrah.

 

 

CHOCOLATE MARTINI INGREDIENTS

For starters, we’re ignoring the vodka all together and using dark rum as the base alcohol instead. With three different liqueurs, this is one of those delicious cocktails that is rich but balanced in flavors.

This version is still full of chocolate flavor but adds citrus and floral notes through Licor 43, giving it a new twist. (They also have a chocolate version if you just can’t seem to satisfy your chocolate cravings.)

 

 

If you prefer to DIY, this one can demand a little prep time for washing your rum in chocolate, so keep that in mind. Here are some alternatives to fat-washing your rum in chocolate yourself:

• You can also skip that step and use a dark rum.
• Attempt an infusion (which also a requires planning ahead).
• Buy a bottle of chocolate rum (Bruno Mars has a highly-rated brand called SelvaRey with a very catchy theme song, and Dead Head Rum makes their own popular version as well).

 

 

As for the chocolate liqueur, you can reach for well-loved, tried-and-true brands like Godiva and Mozart or try another traditional option like Dorda. Which is your favorite chocolate liqueur?

You don’t use much and can’t really go wrong with any of those, so you can opt for price on this one. Same with the Créme de Cacao– You can grab a bottle of Drillaud or go more upscale craft with Tempus Fugit.

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you can wow all the guests at your next dinner party with the Cacao Vow (recipe below)– a perfect Chocolate Martini, in our humble opinions.

 

 

HOW TO MAKE THIS DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE MARTINI

In today’s video, Chris steps you through making a traditional version of the cocktail and then our own boozy Chocolate Martini recipe. See how he does it:

 

Traditional Chocolate Martini Recipe

If you want to stick with the original Chocotini, as it’s sometimes called, here’s an easy recipe that Chris shows you in the video:

•  1 ounce Vodka
• 1 ounce Crème de Cacao
• 1 ounce Chocolate Liqueur (BOLS, Mozart, Trader Vic’s, or Godiva are all decent, common options to try.)
• 1/2 ounce Half ‘n Half

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to your cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
2. Rim your cocktail glass with chocolate syrup.
3. Strain your cocktail into your coupe glass (or Martini glass).
4. Optional: Garnish with additional chocolate shavings or extra chocolate syrup.

(Don’t worry, our craft recipe is below.)

 

CHOCOLATE MARTINI VARIATIONS

There are plenty of ways to make this yummy dessert drink; today, we’re moving away from the classic cocktail version, but definitely play with your own favorite ingredients. Here are some popular options:

• Add vanilla flavor with 1 ounce vanilla vodka and 1 ounce chocolate vodka (or plain vodka– or all vanilla vodka instead).
• Make it a Peppermint Chocolate Martini by using peppermint liquor.
• Not a huge fan of dark chocolate? Make it a White Chocolate Martini instead with (white) Godiva chocolate liquor and a 1/2 ounce of vanilla vodka.
• Try a more traditional Baileys Irish Cream Chocolate Martini by combining Baileys, chocolate liqueur, and vodka.

 

 

HAVE A DOSE OF CHOCOLATE WITH YOUR MARTINI

We can’t wait to hear what you think of this version of a Chocolate Martini or if you have a favorite recipe of your own to share. Leave us a comment to let us know your thoughts about this delicious Chocolate Martini. And don’t forget to stock up on all your equipment in our shop.

 

 

Ready to make this rich cocktail? Grab your heavy cream and your cocktail shaker, and let’s get to mixing!