This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.
Cocktail History
The Gingerbread Martini is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Emma Stokes and was first published in her book Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail. While you’d probably expect lots of sugar, a candied rim, or a ridiculous garnish in a drink named as such, this fairly austere recipe is a holiday-inspired take on the classic Dry Martini that maintains its palatability by mixing vanilla-flavored vodka with sweet vermouth, almond liqueur, and a deletable gingerbread syrup.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Vanilla Vodka: This is a type of vodka made with vanilla pods, grains, vegetables or fruits, and alcohol. We used Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka because it has a tasty vanilla flavor and is affordable. For a mocktail version of this drink, try STRYKK Not Vanilla V*dka in place of the vanilla vodka.
Dry Vermouth: This is a fortified wine made with grapes, sugar, botanicals, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. We used Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry because it has a light and airy flavor profile with notes of Alpine herbs. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic Apéritif Dry in place of the dry vermouth.
Amaretto Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in Italy with almonds, spices, and alcohol. We used Di Amore Amaretto Liqueur because it has a strong almond flavor and a smooth texture. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Amaretto Syrup in place of the amaretto liqueur.
Gingerbread Syrup: This is a sweetener made with ginger, ground nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice berries, whole black peppercorns, vanilla extract, honey, white sugar, brown sugar, gum Arabic powder, and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s sous vide recipe.
Star Anise: This is the seed pod from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant. We used star anise from the bulk section at our local grocery store.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-14.
Tasting Notes
The Gingerbread Martini features light aromas of anise and an initial taste that hints at the flavor of dry vermouth and botanical gin. After that, the festive flavors come forward as it sits in the mouth and on the swallow, hitting your tastebuds with a lingering mashup of baking spices, sweet nuttiness, and a slight ginger sting.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We were both surprisingly pleased with how this recipe tasted, and we think its combination of classic Martini flavors, fun sweetness, and baking spices make it a great “gateway Martini” for those lesser inclined to the dry, botanical classic.
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This cocktail sounds as if it would be sickly sweet, but it’s definitely not. Although made with a few sweet ingredients, this variation of a Gingerbread Martini manages to be serious but still tasty to the lesser developed palate like mine. This is a great pick for sophisticated sipping and could even be a gateway to drier Martinis after a few, or it could at least get you used to the taste of vermouth.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail: 80 Cheerful Tipples to Warm Up Winter by Emma Stokes.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-14.
Gingerbread Martini
The Gingerbread Martini is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Emma Stokes and was first published in her book Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail. While you’d probably expect lots of sugar, a candied rim, or a ridiculous garnish in a drink named as such, this fairly austere recipe is a holiday-inspired take on the classic Dry Martini that maintains its palatability by mixing vanilla-flavored vodka with sweet vermouth, almond liqueur, and a deletable gingerbread syrup.
Ingredients
Method
-
Add vanilla vodka, dry vermouth, amaretto liqueur, gingerbread syrup, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
-
Stir for 30-45 seconds.
-
Strain into a martini glass.
-
Drop in star anise.
