If you’re looking for a perfect Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day cocktail recipe, look no further than this fabulous salted caramel chocolate martini! This chocolate martini recipe tastes amazing, and you can scale the recipe to make just one cocktail or a pitcher.
When was the last time you had a good chocolate martini? Like a really good one? We all know the Godmother doesn’t really drink very often. So when I do indulge in a cocktail, it has to be amazing! Thankfully, the Godfather is an excellent resident bartender. When I told him it had been too long since he’s made me a martini for the blog, he knew exactly what to make! I may have also told him I needed a Valentine’s Day cocktail that easily works as a Galentine’s Day cocktail, and it had to be amazing. I’m a tough customer. But this chocolate martini recipe is everything and definitely a must make if you love chocolate.
I know many people say they don’t really do milk cocktails, but with all the flavors here, this one works. I’m not typically a creamy cocktail fan either. Several of my test group are the same, and this easy chocolate martini got thumbs up all around! The best part is, you only need a few ingredients…
- Chocolate liquor
- Salted Caramel Vodka
- A bit of milk (if you’re making a pitcher)
- Chocolate syrup to decorate the glass
- Salted caramel sauce to decorate the glass
Obviously the syrups to decorate the glasses are optional. But if you are going to make a martini at home, make it special, yes?
Can I make any of the ingredients for my chocolate martini from scratch?
You are so fancy! How “craft cocktail” you want to make this salted caramel chocolate martini recipe is totally up to you. I usually just whip up a batch of my caramel sauce (because yum) and then buy the rest. Homemade chocolate sauce is used if I have it on hand. I’ve linked recipes for both just in case. And if you don’t want to make anything, that’s awesome too… you’re mixing the martini, remember?
For the liquor, I’ve always purchased it, because it’s just easier. But I did just come across a recipe for homemade chocolate liqueur from a blogger friend of mine that I think I’m going to try out in the next few weeks. I may have promised the class mamas coming to my house for school Valentine’s Day party prep some martinis. Mostly because the only reason we all got roped into planning class parties is because no one else stepped up. It really does take a village to get things done, darlings. You’ll find the caramel vodka with the flavored vodkas in the liquor store.
How do I make a chocolate martini for one or two?
To make just one or two martinis, I (well… the Godfather mostly) uses a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar to shake the martinis. Martinis can be either shaken or stirred. As long as the ingredients are properly mixed, you’re good to go.
The main difference between my small batch chocolate martinis and the chocolate martini pitcher cocktail is the addition of milk. When making just one or two cocktails, the liquors get shaken with ice, so are watered down a bit. This mellows the flavor and keeps the martini easy to sip.
You don’t do that with the pitcher martinis (obviously), so I add a bit of milk to keep the flavor balanced. If you are stirring the martinis and not shaking them, you may need to add a little milk, but that’s up to you.
How do I make chocolate martinis for a crowd?
I don’t know about you, but the thought of shaking a bunch of martinis 1 or 2 at a time to make enough for a party sounds exhausting! Not to mention, you spend your time making cocktails and not enjoying your company. That doesn’t mean you can’t serve what might be some of the best dessert martinis ever to your friends. It means we break out the pitchers!
Large format cocktails, or pitcher cocktails, are great to serve at parties. Typically, when we think of pitcher cocktail recipes, we think about punch or a sangria. But martinis are actually great to make for parties because the recipes scale very well.
All you need to do is pour out your ingredients just before the party, stir, and you’re ready to go! Keep the pitcher chilled or over ice so it’s nice and cold for serving.
The only difference between a pitcher chocolate martini and the shaker chocolate martini is a bit of milk. When you shake the martini in the pitcher, a little of the ice melts and mellows the flavors of the liquor without watering down your cocktail. A pitcher won’t give you that same effect. You don’t want to add ice because:
- You don’t want to water down the chocolate martini too much, and
- Ice chunks falling into martini glasses isn’t a good look.
So what do we do instead? We add a little milk. Stirring just a bit of milk into the pitcher helps the chocolate liquor and salted caramel vodka blend together. It also keeps the drink easy to sip without feeling super strong. It is strong though, so please be responsible.
To serve your salted caramel chocolate martini pitcher at the party, set out your tray of martini glasses, add syrup to garnish the cups if desired, and pour! Easy, and definitely less stressful for the host(ess)!
I hope you love this salted caramel chocolate martini recipe! Don’t forget to save it, share it, whatever you need to do so you don’t lose it before your next girls’ night in or date night in!
Salted Caramel Chocolate Martini Recipe
A salted caramel chocolate martini is a perfect dessert cocktail recipe for chocolate lovers! Make one or two, or mix up a pitcher of chocolate martinis for a crowd.
Ingredients
Garnish for Martini Glasses (optional)
- chocolate sauce
- salted caramel sauce
Chocolate Martinis in a Cocktail Shaker (1-2 cocktails)
- 2 parts chocolate liquor
- 1 part salted caramel vodka
- ice
Chocolate Martinis for a Crowd (Pitcher Recipe)
- 1 cup chocolate liquor
- 1/2 cup salted caramel vodka
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- If serving the salted caramel chocolate martini immediately, garnish the glasses by drizzling in a little caramel sauce and chocolate sauce. If you are following the large format recipe, have the garnish available near the martini glasses so you can garnish just before pouring.
- Cocktail shaker instructions: Place about a cup of ice into your cocktail shaker. Add your flavored vodka and chocolate liquor. Cover the shaker. Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds, then strain into your prepared martini glass. Enjoy!
- Large format chocolate martini instructions: Pour chocolate liquor, salted caramel vodka, and milk into pitcher. Stir well to combine. Taste a tiny bit to make sure you like the balance of the flavors. Adjust if needed. Cover and chill until it's time to serve. May be mixed up to an hour or so before serving. Stir again right before you pour into the glasses.
Notes
- The pitcher recipe makes 4 martinis in a standard martini glass, as pictured. If you'd like to make more, scale up!
- You don't have to use a martini pitcher to mix your chocolate martinis. A large mason jar or standard pitcher will do. A straight sided pitcher is best since it makes the cocktail easier to stir, but not required.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Rosemary
Tuesday 28th of January 2020
Looks and sounds delicious Mary! Pinned.