My dark chocolate martini is an indulgently smooth and sophisticated cocktail you can make in just five minutes at home! This is an amazing drink for dark chocolate lovers and perfect to toast with for Valentine's Day or any moment you want to make extra special.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my red wine spiked hot chocolate, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - You only need a few minutes and a handful of ingredients to craft this dark chocolate orange martini and no advanced mixology skills are needed. Just shake, strain, and sip.
Grown Up Flavor - This is not an overly sweet dessert cocktail. Just like a bar of dark chocolate, it's smooth and rich with notes that are bright, bitter, and even nutty. I think you'll love it!
I'm the unofficial martini queen of the internet and have a delicious drink for every occasion, including my raspberry Chambord martini, frozen lychee martini, dirty gin martini with vermouth, and mandarin orange martini!
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Gin or Vodka depending on the kind of martini you like. I prefer using gin because it lends more complex flavor but if you want a more neutral tasting spirit, go with vodka. You can also make it using chocolate vodka for a double chocolate martini vibe.
Dark Cocoa Liqueur adds the dark chocolate chocolate taste and an extra boozy kick. You can use Dolfi Creme de Cacao, Drillaud Dark Chocolate Liqueur or something similar but I don't recommend a cream liqueur like Garbriello or Bailey's as they are too syrupy sweet.
Amaretto Liqueur contributes nutty flavor and subtle sweetness and, yes, more alcohol but I promise this isn't one of those drinks that will knock you to the floor! Use whichever brand you like but don't skip this ingredient because it gives the martini full-bodied flavor.
Almond Milk for a supremely smooth mouthfeel without adding cream. You can actually use any plant-based or dairy milk you prefer, however, I've found that almond milk is the best balance of texture and flavor, which is why I also use it in my creamy chaitini, matcha martini, and sexy pistachio martini.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Sweetener is optional but I like to use a touch of maple syrup in this recipe to enhance all the other flavors. You could instead use simple syrup, a honey syrup, agave or your favorite zero sugar option.
Citrus adds brightness and a lil acidity to keep the drink balanced and light and I like to use orange juice (fresh squeezed) but fresh tangerine juice or concentrated OJ will also work in a pinch. Don't use lemon, lime or grapefruit, though.
Garnish options are totally up to you! I have ideas below to get your wheels turning towards maximum presentation points.
How to Make a Homemade Dark Chocolate Martini
- Step 1: Rim martini glass in melted dark chocolate (optional) then place in the freezer to chill.
- Step 2: Add the remaining liquid ingredients to cocktail shaker over ice.
Pro Tip #1
Chilling the glass creates the signature frosted look we associate with martini cocktail and helps keep your drink cold so don't skip this step! And in this particular recipe, it freezes the melted chocolate so it doesn't drip all the way down the glass.
- Step 3: Shake the ingredients until shaker is chilled to the touch then strain into prepared martini glass.
- Step 4: Garnish with a dusting of dark cocoa powder and an orange slice then serve.
Pro Tip #2
If you don't have cocktail tools, try a shot glass in place of a jigger, and a mason jar in place of a cocktail shaker. You can strain the liquid through a slotted spoon or a mesh strainer or a colander.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shake up eight ounces of dark chocolate liqueur, six ounces gin, three ounces orange juice, two ounces amaretto liqueur, two ounces sweetener, and two ounces almond milk over ice then strain equally into four chilled glasses. Garnish with cocoa powder and orange slices. Serves four.
Yes. Make the cocktail per the recipe instructions then divide evenly between four shot glasses.
More Favorite Gin Cocktail Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this ultimate chocolate martini recipe soon and very soon. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Dark Chocolate Martini
Equipment
- 1 martini glass or coupe glass
- 1 knife
- 1 jigger or shot glass
- 1 citrus juicer optional
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate syrup or melted dark chocolate (optional)
- 1 orange
- ice
- 2 ounces dark chocolate liqueur
- 1 ½ ounce gin or vodka
- ½ ounce amaretto liqueur
- ½ ounce maple syrup optional
- ½ ounce almond milk
- cocoa powder
Instructions
- Dip rim of martini glass into dark chocolate syrup then place in the freezer to chill.2 tablespoons dark chocolate syrup
- Use knife to cut orange in half then cut off one slice about ¼ inch thick then cut it in half to make a half moon shape and set aside. Squeeze the orange halves to get ¾ ounce orange juice for cocktail.1 orange
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice then pour in orange juice, dark chocolate liqueur, gin, amaretto liqueur, maple syrup, and almond milk.ice, 2 ounces dark chocolate liqueur, 1 ½ ounce gin, ½ ounce amaretto liqueur, ½ ounce maple syrup, ½ ounce almond milk
- Seal the cocktail shaker then shake vigorously until chilled to the touch (about eight seconds).
- Strain liquid into chilled martini glass then dust with cocoa powder and float one of the orange half moon slices on top. Serve immediately and enjoy responsibly!cocoa powder
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