Gingerbread Martinis

Get ready to sleigh your holiday party with this gingerbread martini recipe! Our Christmas cocktail—perfectly spiced, creamy, caffeinated and a jingle bell of a good time—will get you through even the most chaotic of seasons. With homemade gingerbread syrup that would make even the Grinch feel merry, our martini combines rich, cozy flavors like coffee liqueur and Irish cream for a treat that’ll have you saying, “Yule love this!” Just whip up a batch of this gingerbread espresso martini, and your guests will be dancing and prancing all night. Cheers to sipping, sipping all the way!

Gingerbread Martini Ingredients

• Sugar: Brown sugar is essential for adding a caramelized sweetness and intensifying the warm, cozy gingerbread vibe; consider using dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor. Also, granulated sugar melts easily in the simple syrup and has a neutral taste that allows the other flavors to shine.
• Molasses: The flavor of gingerbread is all about molasses and how it combines with ginger to offer a rich, robust sweetness and a classic gingerbread color. Try dark molasses for a hint of bitterness, but don’t go all the way to blackstrap molasses.
• Spices: Ground ginger, the star of the show, adds a sharp warmth and a festive zing to the simple syrup used in the cocktail. Other warm baking spices—cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves—bring spicy, peppery and earthy elements to the drink.
• Vanilla extract: The soft tones of vanilla enhance the sweetness and warmth of the other ingredients. The best vanilla extract will impart the best flavor.
• Coffee liqueur: The first element an espresso martini requires is a coffee liqueur. Of those available, Kahlua is the most common, but I like Mr Black extra snappy coffee flavor.
• Vodka: Is it even a martini without vodka? The clean, crisp base makes the perfect canvas for this gingerbread cookie martini recipe, adding the alcohol without too much flavor.
• Irish cream liqueur: Creamy, boozy and even just a touch chocolaty, Baileys balances the cocktail. While Baileys is the most popular Irish cream, don’t sleep on Costco’s Irish cream; it’s delectable and affordable!
• Whipping cream: Rich and creamy, heavy whipping cream fills out the volume of the martini and adds the ideal texture for this dessert-like cocktail.

Directions

Step 1: Make the gingerbread syrup

In a small saucepan, combine the molasses, brown sugar, sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook until the sugars dissolve, two to three minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla extract. Let it cool completely. Reserve 1 tablespoon for each cocktail; reserve the remaining for future use.

Step 2: Prepare each martini

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the heavy whipping cream, coffee liqueur, vodka, Irish cream liqueur and 1 tablespoon gingerbread syrup. Then, secure the lid on the shaker. Shake for 30 to 45 seconds or until the liquid is very cold.

Finally, strain the gingerbread martini into a chilled martini glass. Serve immediately.

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

Gingerbread Martini Variations

• Make great garnishes: Get creative! There are countless ways to make this drink more holiday-themed. If you’re gonzo for gingerbread, make tiny gingerbread people and adhere each one to the rim of the martini glass with a dot of frosting. Or, try dipping the rim in chocolate syrup or simple syrup and then in crushed candy canes for a quicker garnish. You can even hang a candy cane from the edge of the glass. Another option is to float some chocolate-covered espresso beans on the top of the drink or shave dark chocolate over the surface.
• Add a shot of espresso: For an extra hit of caffeine, pull a shot of espresso, cool it off and shake it in. You can also try a splash of prepackaged cold brew or coffee concentrate.
• Try amaretto or hazelnut liqueur: Enhance your traditional gingerbread martini recipe with a nutty, cookie-like flavor. Either of these liqueurs complements the gingerbread spices and creates a drink reminiscent of gingerbread cookies. Serve with a crushed gingersnap or cinnamon sugar rim for extra sweetness.
• Create a gingerbread white Russian: Add a touch of gingerbread syrup to a white Russian made with cream, vodka and coffee liqueur. Serve it over ice in an old-fashioned glass and garnish it with a dusting of cinnamon or a small gingerbread cookie.
• Use brown spirits: Replace the vodka with bourbon for a deeper, more robust flavor. The oaky notes of the bourbon pair beautifully with the spices in the gingerbread syrup. Shake the bourbon, coffee liqueur, gingerbread syrup and heavy cream over ice, and serve it in a martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick for added aroma and spice.
• Pump up the pumpkin: The season demands more pumpkin! Add a festive twist with a splash of pumpkin spice liqueur or pumpkin puree. Combine the usual ingredients (vodka, gingerbread syrup, Irish cream, coffee liqueur) with pumpkin spice liqueur or a tablespoon of pumpkin puree. Shake well, strain, and garnish with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or a cinnamon stick.

How to Store Gingerbread Martinis

Gingerbread espresso martinis taste best when shaken and served immediately. Leftover gingerbread syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Can you make gingerbread martinis ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can make a batch of gingerbread martini mix and the simple syrup ahead of time and store them for later. Combine the vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and gingerbread syrup (excluding the cream) in a pitcher or jar, cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to two days. Just be sure to stir before use. Add the cream and shake individual servings with ice on the night of the gathering. For an elegant touch, chill the martini glasses in the freezer beforehand.

Gingerbread Martini Tips

Dan Roberts for Taste of Home

What type of glass should you use for gingerbread martinis?

For this festive gingerbread espresso martini, a good-sized triangle martini glass is my favorite cocktail glass because it holds a lot of liquid and you can go crazy with garnishes. Or, do you need something for a little more formal occasion? Try vintage glassware, like a coupe.

Can you serve the gingerbread cookie martini recipe over ice?

You bet! An old-fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice works just fine. As the ice melts, the martini will get a little more watered down, so either keep your glasses in the freezer before serving, try using specialized ice cube trays to make big cubes or even freeze coffee into cubes so you don’t lose any flavor at all.

What can you serve with gingerbread martinis?

This cocktail is an absolute must at a gingerbread house decorating party. Set out holiday appetizers, a spread of Christmas cookies and other holiday treats. Classic holiday desserts like fudge, spiced nuts or a platter of gingerbread cookies pair perfectly well with gingerbread martinis, creating a warm, festive atmosphere.