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This Gingerbread Martini brings together velvety, spicy, and sugary notes for the perfect holiday drink. It's got that warm gingerbread kick you'll love, looks stunning in the glass, and will definitely wow everyone at your Christmas gatherings.
What Makes This Drink Special
You'll fall in love with this head-turning holiday cocktail that tastes just as good as it looks. When you mix spiced gingerbread vodka with smooth Irish liqueur and add those crushed cookie edges, you've got something truly magical. It's super simple to whip up, you can tweak it how you want, and it'll be the star of any holiday bash.
Key Ingredients You'll Need
- Main Liquors:
- Gingerbread vodka: 2 oz (60ml) chilled to 32-40°F (0-4°C)
- Irish cream liqueur: 1 oz (30ml) chilled to 32-40°F (0-4°C)
- Coffee liqueur: 1 oz (30ml) chilled to 32-40°F (0-4°C)
- Creamy Elements:
- Half and half: 1 oz (30ml) kept at 35°F (2°C)
- Heavy whipping cream: 2 oz (60ml) for topping, beaten until soft peaks form
- Flavor Boosters:
- Ground ginger: ⅛ teaspoon (0.6g) make sure it's fresh
- Ground cinnamon: ⅛ teaspoon (0.6g) for sprinkling on top
- Optional: nutmeg: pinch (0.1g) freshly grated works best
- Decorative Items:
- White chocolate: 2 oz (56g) warmed to 88-90°F (31-32°C)
- Gingerbread cookies: 2 cookies (30g) smashed into tiny bits
- Cinnamon stick: 1 (4-inch length) as an extra touch
How To Make It
- Get Your Glass Ready
- Cool your martini glass to 35°F (2°C). Warm up white chocolate in a double boiler or microwave until it hits 88-90°F (31-32°C). Push the rim about 1/8-inch deep in chocolate, then quickly roll in cookie bits. Let it sit at room temp (65°F/18°C) for 5 minutes so it can firm up.
- Mix Your Drink
- Throw these into your cocktail shaker: 1. Gingerbread vodka at 35°F (2°C) 2. Irish cream liqueur at 35°F (2°C) 3. Coffee liqueur at 35°F (2°C) 4. Half and half at 35°F (2°C) 5. Ground ginger Fill about 3/4 with ice (around 4 oz/113g)
- Shake It Up
- Give it a good, hard shake for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold (about 30°F/-1°C). Pour through a fine strainer into your ready glass.
- Finish It Off
- Add whipped cream on top about 1-inch high. Lightly dust with cinnamon using a small strainer. Stick in a cinnamon stick if you want. Drink right away while it's nice and cold at 35-38°F (2-3°C).
Handy Tricks
Want it sweeter? Play around with the ginger amount (try between 0.3-0.9g) or pour in extra cream (15-30ml). Need more kick? Add another 0.5 oz (15ml) of gingerbread vodka. Make sure you crush those cookies really small so they stick evenly to the rim.
Alcohol-Free Option
If you don't want the booze, try this instead:
- Swap vodka for 2 oz (60ml) of gingerbread syrup
- Use 1 oz (30ml) vanilla syrup instead of Irish cream
- Put in 1 oz (30ml) cold brew coffee concentrate instead of coffee liqueur
Keep everything at the same temperatures for the best taste.
Decoration Ideas
Want to make it super Christmassy? Stick in a cinnamon stick, hang a tiny gingerbread man on the glass, or drizzle some caramel over the top. That sweet cookie rim isn't just pretty—it tastes amazing and will get everyone talking at your holiday get-together.
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How To Serve It Right
Drink your Gingerbread Martini right away while it's cold (35-38°F/2-3°C). Making them for a crowd? You can mix all the liquids up to 2 hours before and keep them in the fridge at 35°F (2°C). For the freshest taste, prep the glass rims and shake each drink as you serve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What if I can’t find gingerbread vodka?
Swap it for plain vodka, adding a pinch of ground ginger and molasses to mimic the flavor. Alternatively, steep gingerbread cookies with vodka overnight for a homemade twist.
- → When should I rim the glasses?
You can prepare rims up to 2 hours ahead. Keep them at a normal temperature—any longer might alter the chocolate’s texture.
- → How do I replace Irish cream?
Use vanilla creamer, RumChata, or any creamy flavored liquor. For no alcohol, mix sugar, cream, and vanilla extract.
- → What’s the best way to prepare for a large gathering?
Combine all main ingredients (except whipped cream), adjusting for servings. Chill the mix, shake with ice, and serve fresh.
- → Which cookies are best for the rim?
Crispy ginger snaps are perfect. Crush them into fine pieces for an even, flavorful rim.