Celebrate the holidays in style with this irresistible Christmas Sugar Cookie Martini. This cocktail tastes as delightful as it sounds. Packed with flavors of vanilla, cream, and a hint of almond flavor, this Sugar Cookie Martini is the festive drink you didn’t know you needed this holiday season.
For more sweet cocktails for the holidays, similar to this sugar cookie cocktail, make sure to also check out my Peppermint White Russian or Candy Cane Martini.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor: It tastes like a Christmas sugar cookie in liquid form. The combination of vanilla vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream, amaretto, and heavy cream gives this Christmas martini cocktail a sweet, creamy flavor that is reminiscent of a delicious sugar cookie.
- Festive Flair: It’s a festive cocktail. The white chocolate rimmed glass with Christmas sprinkles adds a touch of fun and holiday spirit to the martini.
- Velvety Texture: It’s smooth and creamy. The heavy cream and Baileys Irish Cream give the martini a velvety mouthfeel, elevating the overall sipping experience.
- Easy: This martini is very easy to make, even for beginner bartenders. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker.
Ingredient Notes
White chocolate chips: Dipping the rim of the glass into melted white chocolate before adding sprinkles gives the rim a delicious flavor and is sturdy so it won’t easily melt or fall off as some rim flavorings do. Vanilla frosting can also work well on the rim.
Christmas-themed sprinkles: Sprinkles add a bit of color and crunch to the cocktail. Get creative and try different color combinations, just like decorating Christmas cookies. You can also try festive colored sanding sugar instead of sprinkles.
Vanilla vodka: This flavored vodka serves as the base spirit, providing a smooth vanilla undertone that mimics the classic flavor of cookies. You can use regular vodka with a splash of vanilla extract if that’s what you have on hand.
Irish cream liqueur: Adding a creamy liqueur, like Baileys, adds to the flavor and mouthfeel. RumChata or a white chocolate liqueur would also work well here.
Amaretto: This almond-flavored liqueur gives the cocktail a nutty element, rounding out the drink’s flavor profile and contributing to the cookie flavor. Other nutty liqueurs like Frangelico hazelnut liqueur would also be delicious! In a pinch, a little extra cream with a splash of almond extract could also work.
Heavy cream: This creates a luxurious texture and gives the martini a velvety finish. For a lighter option, you can go with half and half or whole milk. Non-fat milk would NOT be a good option, but creamy liquid vanilla coffee creamer could also work in a pinch!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Melt the white chocolate on a shallow plate in the microwave. Roll the rim of your glass in melted white chocolate, then Christmas sprinkles. Set aside.
Step 2: Add the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, and amaretto to an empty cocktail shaker.
Step 3: Add the heavy cream to the shaker, then ice cubes. Shake until well chilled. Strain into the prepared glass.
Expert Tips + Variations
- For a plant-based or non-dairy option, try subbing coconut milk or oat milk for the heavy cream as these give the most creamy mouthfeel of all the non-dairy milks. Baileys also makes an almond-milk based version called “Baileys Almande“.
- For an extra creamy martini, top with a touch of whipped cream and maybe some extra sprinkles on top.
- Always add your ice cubes after you add your ingredients to the cocktail shaker to prevent diluting the drink.
- For a sweeter drink, add a bit of simple syrup.
FAQ
Yes, you can make a batch of this Sugar Cookie Martini recipe for holiday parties. I do not recommend making the martinis in advance as leaving alcohol and dairy mixed for an extended amount of time can cause the dairy to curdle due to the breakdown of the milk proteins.
You can have your martini glasses with the sprinkle rim prepped and they will hold up well as the white chocolate will harden and keep the sprinkles in place.
To efficiently make a batch on-the-spot without curdling:
-Keep the vanilla vodka and amaretto pre-mixed in a large pitcher and refrigerate.
-Store Baileys and heavy cream separately, also refrigerated.
-Just before serving, combine the pre-mixed spirits, Baileys, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker with ice.
-Shake well and strain into prepared glasses.
This method keeps the dairy and alcohol separate until the last moment to prevent curdling while still speeding up the cocktail-making process. You can also pre-measure the heavy cream and Baileys in separate little ramekins so that you can just pour and shake!
You can find vanilla vodka at just about any liquor store. Here are a few brand options to look for:
–Absolut Vanilla: Known for its rich, robust vanilla flavor; widely available.
–Smirnoff Vanilla: Offers a more subtle vanilla taste; budget-friendly.
–Grey Goose La Vanille: A premium option with Madagascar vanilla; limited availability.
–Pinnacle Vanilla Vodka: Another budget-friendly choice; lighter on vanilla flavor but mixes well.
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📖 Recipe
Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoons white chocolate chips
- 1-2 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
- 1 ½ ounce vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce Irish cream (like Baileys)
- ½ ounce amaretto
- 1 ounce heavy cream
Instructions
- Melt white chocolate chips in the microwave on a small plate until chocolate is easily spreadable (approx 30-45 secs).
- Roll martini glass in melted white chocolate and then add sprinkles to the other side of the plate. Roll the martini glass in the sprinkles.
- Add vodka, Irish cream, amaretto, and heavy cream to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into the martini glass and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- For a plant-based or non-dairy option, try subbing coconut milk or oat milk for the heavy cream as these give the most creamy mouthfeel of all the non-dairy milks. Baileys also makes an almond-milk based version called “Baileys Almande”.
- Always add your ice cubes after you add your ingredients to the cocktail shaker to prevent diluting the drink.
- Keep the vanilla vodka and amaretto pre-mixed in a large pitcher and refrigerate.
- Store Baileys and heavy cream separately, also refrigerated.
- Just before serving, combine the pre-mixed spirits, Baileys, and heavy cream in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into prepared glasses.
- Bonus tip: You can also pre-measure the heavy cream and Baileys in separate little ramekins so that you can just pour and shake!
Nutrition
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