Gingerbread Martini

This gingerbread martini tastes like the classic cookie shaken together into a festive holiday sipper. It’s sweet, spiced, and decadent with vanilla vodka, gingerbread syrup, and Irish cream to boot!

Why this recipe works

Now that Christmas cookie baking is complete, I’ve been on the hunt for some fun, festive cocktails, and I think this gingerbread martini hits the nail on the head. A sweet and creamy concoction of gingerbread syrup, Irish cream liqueur, vanilla vodka, and heavy cream makes this one heck of a jolly good sipper. Especially with some cutie gingerbread cookies on the side.

These martinis in particular are very decadent and make a great dessert cocktail for the holidays. It uses almost the same ingredients as our sugar cookie martini, aside from the gingerbread syrup and the addition of amaretto, so you might as well whip up both for your Christmas party.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

LIQUEUR – You can use any Irish Cream liqueur here, it doesn’t have to be Baileys. Go with your favorite! If you’re really lucky, you may be able to find a gingerbread cream liqueur in stores around the holidays that you can substitute with.

SYRUP – The gingerbread syrup is what truly makes this cocktail gingerbread flavored. Don’t skip it! I used this sugar free skinny gingerbread syrup, but this flavor is readily available in stores at this time of year, so just about any brand will do the trick.

VODKA – Vanilla vodka adds a nice touch of sweetness. You can substitute with unflavored vodka for more of a bite, or use whipped cream vodka if you aren’t able to find vanilla.

CREAM – Instead of heavy cream you can use half and half. Another option is to substitute with melted vanilla ice cream!

GARNISH – A dollop of whipped cream, cookie crumbs, and a cute little gingerbread man cupcake topper make these cocktails really cute. We used crumbs from our Crispy Gingersnap Cookies, though our classic Gingerbread Cookies work great too. You can also use crumbs to decorate the rim of your glass.

How to Make a Gingerbread Martini

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Measure all ingredients, except the ice, into a cocktail shaker. Shake without ice (called a dry shake) for 20 seconds.
2. Open shaker and add a handful of ice. Close shaker and shake to chill, about 15 seconds.
3. Strain into chilled martini glass.
4. Optionally, you can top with some whipped cream, cookie crumbs, and cute little gingerbread man cupcake toppers!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

Sure, it’s definitely possible to make a shaken cocktail without a cocktail shaker! Place the ingredients as you would normally with some ice into a tall cup, cover with a plate, and give it a shake. Water bottles with a lid work as well. It might sound silly, but you can also place it in a bowl that has an air-tight lid and shake it this way. It doesn’t really matter how you get the job done, it will taste just as good!

We used Smirnoff vanilla vodka, but go with your favorite brand. If you want more bite and less sweetness, opt for regular vodka.

You can use any milk, including nut milks, but know that whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream will lend a creamier texture than a lower-fat milk.

Serving Suggestions

As far as garnishing your gingerbread martini goes, top with fresh whipped cream, cookie crumbles, and a cute gingerbread man cupcake topper (or a whole gingerbread man cookie!). You can also dip your rim in some of the gingerbread syrup and roll it in crushed cookies.

More Holiday Cocktail Recipes

• Grinch Cocktail
• Sugar Cookie Martini
• Blended Frostbite Martini
• Chocolate Peppermint Martini

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