There are some iconic duos that just make life better. We couldn’t live without the combinations of peanut butter and jelly, wine and cheese, and, of course, dry vermouth and gin. When combined, the latter two ingredients make for a delicate and delicious treat: the Martini.
Martinis needn’t be relegated to fancy nights out on the town. With practice, home bartenders can master the two-ingredient cocktail recipe, and even create their own riffs on the classic drink.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our list of our favorite Martini variations that will keep you sipping all year round.
The Pineapple Breakfast Martini Recipe
As Drake once said, “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning.” If your goals line up with the rapper’s, or if you’re just looking for a boozy brunch cocktail, this drink is for you. Combine gin, triple sec, pineapple juice, and pineapple jam in a cocktail shaker with ice, and serve with breakfast (or any meal, for that matter).
Pomegranate Lemonade Martini Recipe
This summery sipper calls for equal parts Martini and lemonade. Pomegranate juice balances out the sweetness of lemonade, while the botanicals of gin and a thyme sprig garnish bring an earthy quality to the concoction. Stir all ingredients together, strain into a coupe glass, and pair with warm weather.
L’Orange Martini Recipe
Orange you glad this isn’t a run of the mill Martini? Add orange bitters, orange liquor, and an orange peel garnish to your traditional Martini to bring out the citrusy notes in dry gin. This drink is fruity yet boozy, and is sure to liven up your cocktail hour.
The Grapefruit Gin Martini Recipe
To make this easy-sipping cocktail, replace vermouth with grapefruit juice and add a few dashes of celery bitters to bring in a tart acidity to your Martini. Navy-strength gin stands up to these bold flavors and brings a boozy kick to the concoction. This unlikely flavor combination is sure to keep you coming back for more.
Breakfast Martini Sour Recipe
This recipe doubles as a hangover cure. The combination of gin, lemon juice, orange marmalade, simple syrup, and egg white results in a frothy, sessionable drink ideal for rough mornings. Hair of the dog never tasted so good.
The Lemon Grapefruit Martini Recipe
This sweet, citrusy take on the Martini is the perfect warm-weather refresher. Combine vodka, lemon juice, grapefruit, simple syrup, and ice in a cocktail shaker, and sip on the next sunny day. Garnish with a lemon wheel for a seasonal touch.
Espresso Tim Tam Martini
Need a caffeine boost? This Australian-inspired version of the Espresso Martini mixes Tim Tams — the famous chocolate cookies from Down Under — and coffee for the perfect after-dinner sipper. Combine vodka, coffee liquor, espresso, and chocolate Tim Tams to drink like the Aussies do.
The Rosé Martini Recipe
There’s no doubt that rosé is a summer-drinking essential. In this Martini, the wine replaces gin for a sweeter, low-ABV take on the classic cocktail. Between its pink hue and edible flower garnish, this simple concoction is practically begging you to drink outside.
The Portside Martini
White port replaces vermouth in this crowd-pleasing Martini variation. With only two ingredients, this drink is as simple to make as it is to sip. The bright, lively flavors of this drink are enhanced by its lemon twist garnish.
The Duchess Martini Recipe
This Nordic-inspired cocktail is anything but your typical Martini. Aquavit, bianco vermouth, and sherry combine to create rich notes of caraway and a touch of salinity. Garnish with an orange twist for a hint of citrusy sweetness.
The Rye for Breakfast Martini Recipe
The star of this drink is rye whiskey, which pairs perfectly with rye toast at breakfast time. Combine the dark spirit with lemon juice, blackberry jam, and a pinch of salt for a versatile and unforgettable brunch pairing. Not a fan of blackberry? Feel free to replace it with your favorite jam or marmalade flavor, and make this drink your own.
