Easy Gingerbread Martini

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with a Gingerbread Martini! This easy cocktail recipe will make your celebrations extra festive.

You can make a martini for just about any occasion, whether it’s a pumpkin spice espresso martini for fall, a lemon drop martini for summer parties, or this gingerbread martini for Christmas. Let the kids enjoy hot chocolate with their cookies while you sip on this sweet spice-infused cocktail. (It would be absolutely fabulous for dunking chai sugar cookies—who needs milk?!)

The key ingredient for this gingerbread martini is my gingerbread syrup—there’s no substitute, you’ll have to start by making that first. (But don’t worry, it takes just a few minutes to whip up.) The gingerbread syrup is combined with Bailey’s, Kahlua, and vodka because this gingerbread martini is here to make your days merry and bright, holly jolly, and a little bit tipsy (but in a charming, endearing way—never messy and uncouth). 

Garnish with some crushed gingerbread cookies on the rim and you’ve got a party-perfect cocktail for your holiday get-togethers! 

Ingredients for Gingerbread Martinis

Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.

• Gingerbread Syrup – Follow my gingerbread syrup recipe.
• Bailey’s – Irish cream adds a nice creamy finish to our gingerbread martini.
• Kahlua – Or another coffee liqueur you like or have on hand.
• Vodka – I used plain vodka, but vanilla or whipped cream flavored vodka would be fantastic if you’ve got them.

How to Make a Gingerbread Martini

Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.

1. Prepare the rim. If you’d like to rim your glasses, crush gingerbread cookies and place the crumbs on a small plate. Wet the rim of your cocktail glass with water or gingerbread syrup, then dip the rim into the crushed cookies.
2. Mix the cocktail. Add the Bailey’s, Kahlua, and vodka to a cocktail shaker with ice. 
3. Shake. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
4. Strain and serve. Using a strainer, pour the cocktail into the prepared glass. Garnish with a gingerbread cookie, whipped cream, and/or sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top.

Tips and Variations

These tips will help you make the perfect gingerbread martini—and put your own spin on it too.

• Add some extra creaminess. For a creamier texture, add a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half to the cocktail shaker.
• Improvise if you don’t have bar equipment. You can shake your cocktail in a sealed jar or a protein powder shaker. To strain it, pour it through the tines of a fork.
• Make it without the alcohol. Turn this gingerbread martini into a mocktail by replacing the alcohol with coffee and cream or half-and-half.

Gingerbread Martinis for a Crowd

Martinis are tricky to scale up for a party because they’re shaken. This not only chills the martinis, but also dilutes them a bit so they’re not as strong. One way to overcome this is by scaling up the martini recipe, stirring it in a pitcher, chilling it, and then pouring it over ice. Another option is to add some water to the mix and then pour it into chilled glasses, but calculating the right amount of water can be complicated.

What to Serve With Gingerbread Martinis

• Pecan Brie and Brown Sugar Phyllo Bites
• Shortbread Cookies
• Cannoli Dip
• Cranberry Bliss Cheesecake Trifle
• The Best Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe
• Gingerbread Biscotti

More Martini Recipes

• Espresso Martini Affogato
• Irish Espresso Martini
• Pomegranate Martini
• Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini
• Sugar Cookie Martini
• The Best Chocolate Martini

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