Chocolate Martini: the delicious recipe for a classic after-dinner cocktail

Drink your dessert with this easy chocolate martini recipe. With its rich, creamy texture and boozy chocolatey flavor, this sweet dessert version of the classic martini is always a winner. It's a fantastic drink to serve after dinner when you're in the mood for something sweet but don't want to make a proper dessert.

You only need four ingredients to make the perfect chocolate martini, and it's incredibly easy to put your own spin on this tasty drink. There are so many fantastic variations to try. The chocolate martini is an ideal cocktail to serve on Valentine's Day, anniversaries, or date night as it is not too bold.

Chocolate Martini Origins

The chocolate martini dates back to the 1950s. According to one popular story, this wonderful drink was invented by Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor during the filming of Giant. Both stars were fans of the popular martini cocktail and enjoyed chocolate, so they mixed the two to make an iconic drink.

Chocolate Martini Ingredients

At its most basic, the chocolate martini only calls for three ingredients: vodka, chocolate liqueur, and Irish cream such as Baileys.

You can also use chocolate syrup to garnish the rim of the glass and drizzle over the inside of the glasses for an extra decadent treat.

How to Make the Best Chocolate Martini

To make the best chocolate martini, start by squeezing the chocolate syrup onto a small plate. Gently press the cocktail glasses into the chocolate syrup. This is your rim garnish. Drizzle the insides of the glasses with extra chocolate syrup. Place ice in a cocktail shaker.

Add the Baileys, chocolate liqueur, and vodka, then shake well to combine, so that the cocktail chills. Strain the cocktail into the martini glasses. You can shake or stir your chocolate martini, but most cocktails containing mixers are shaken, whereas a classic martini should be stirred.

Tips for the Best Chocolate Martini

Add the chocolate syrup to the glasses ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to use them.

Jazz up your chocolate martinis with some whipped cream or chocolate shavings.

Add other liqueurs to make delicious variations on this classic cocktail.Try using crème de menthe (mint), Frangelico (hazelnut), fruit schnapps, Kaluha (coffee), or cherry heering. Check out other types of liqueur and get creative!

Use white chocolate instead of regular chocolate to make a white chocolate martini.

Take note: chocolate liqueur isn't the same thing as crème de cacao, however, you can use it as a substitute. Crème de cacao is chocolate flavored and usually has a subtle vanilla note to it.

If you don't want to add chocolate syrup as a garnish for the rim or don't want to drizzle it into the glass, feel free to omit the syrup from the recipe.

Chocolate martinis are best enjoyed with dark or bittersweet chocolate desserts. Enjoy this drink with chocolatey desserts like chocolate cake, black forest gateau, chocolate mousse, or cheesecake.

Can You Store Chocolate Martinis?

You can premix the ingredients, then shake your chocolate martinis with ice right before serving. The mix will last several days in the fridge.

Instructions

Place chocolate syrup on a plate. Gently press the glasses into the chocolate syrup.

Drizzle the insides of the glasses with extra chocolate syrup.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Add Baileys, chocolate liqueur, and vodka, then shake well to combine.

Strain the cocktail into the martini glasses.

Notes

Use high-quality chocolate liqueur and chocolate syrup.