Deck the Halls with Chocolate Martinis

Chocolate Covered Candy Cane and Choco-Coconut Martinis

Dec 6, 2009
Leah Gabriel Nurik

Chocolate Covered Candy Cane - Flavor Diva

Feeling festive? These martini recipes will warm the most stubborn Scrooge. Candy canes and milk chocolate conjure up childhood flavors with an adult twist!

Chocolate fills many a candy bowl during the holiday season, regardless of the celebration. Whether you are celebrating Hanukah, Christmas or Kwanza, these chocolate martini recipes enable the home bartender or party thrower to concoct a sweet libation for a holiday party. Easy to make, and hard to get wrong, these festive chocolate martinis will fuel party guests' holiday spirit and satisify that adult sweet tooth.

Served in many swanky restaurants and lounges from Bangor to Seattle, the chocolate martini and its many variations became increasingly popular during the chocolate and coffee crazes of the 1990s, but alcohol-based chocolate drinks are nothing new. Some reports place the first chocolate liqueur in Europe as early as 1655, just a few decades after chocolate was "discovered" in the New World. There were, most likely, chocolate liqueurs being made in what is modern day South and Central America, but those variations are not known.

Choosing the alcohol:

When making chocolate martinis, the defining ingredient is chocolate liqueur. There are many types of chocolate liqueurs to choose from, including products from popular chocolate makers like Godiva or Cadbury. Chocolate-flavored creme liqueurs are also available. Some chocolate liqueurs combine chocolate with other flavors like mint, coconut or orange. Depending on taste and whether feeling adventurous, choose the liqueur that fitsthe party budget and tastes.

Vodka is essential in crafting a perfect chocolate martini,. It is not necessary to pay a sky-high price for a bottle of vodka. Choose a moderately priced vodka, and avoid the lowest end vodkas since they tend to taste like rubbing alcohol.

To concoct these recipes, hosts need to choose specialized flavor liqueurs like Kahlua, Tia Maria, creme de menthe, peppermint schnapps and Amaretto.

All recipes should be shaken (or stirred) in a martini shaker with ice.

Recipes:

Milk Chocolate Martini

2 oz. vodka
1 oz. chocolate liqueur
1 oz. coffee liqueur
1 oz cream

Prior to pouring drink, swirl chocolate syrup in the bottom of the glass. Serve in a martini glass rimmed with sugar or sweetened cocoa powder and a chocolate kiss on the rim.