Easy Chocolate Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/10/24
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Treat yourself to a simple chocolate martini adorned with a cocoa rim. It's a perfect dessert drink to serve at a dinner party, and it will satisfy that sweet tooth on those evenings when you'd like a cocktail.

Easy Chocolate Martini in a glass

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

How Strong Is a Chocolate Martini?

Most chocolate liqueurs are low-proof, and that helps bring this booze-only martini down to a decent strength. For example, if you make this chocolate martini with Godiva (17 percent ABV), its alcohol content will fall around 26 percent ABV (52 proof). It is not the lightest cocktail, but certainly not the strongest, either. Just don't let the sweet taste fool you into drinking too many.

A Lighter Version

There are many versions of a chocolate-flavored martini. Most include vodka, chocolate liqueur, and cream. This recipe is one of the easiest chocolate martinis to make because it simply mixes vodka with your favorite chocolate liqueur. It's also much lighter, skipping the cream entirely so you can enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate.

What's the Difference Between Crème de Cacao and Chocolate Liqueur

Crème de cacao is a chocolate liqueur made from the cacao bean. It has a subtle vanilla taste and comes in both dark and white versions that taste the same. Crème de cacao can be enjoyed on its own or used as an ingredient in cocktails and desserts. Chocolate liqueur is made of cream and chocolate and is sweeter and more syrup-like. It can, however, be used in place of crème de cacao in recipes.

Tips for Making Chocolate Martini

  • Select a vodka - Most martinis are best with top-shelf vodka, but you don't have to be quite so picky with the chocolate martini because of its deep flavor. To balance quality and a budget, find a good, mid-range vodka. Those produced by today's craft distillers are excellent candidates, as are any of the big names in the vodka market.
  • Crème de cacao flavor - You can use either white or dark crème de cacao. Only the color will change, not the taste.
  • Want it creamier? - If you want a creamy martini, switch to a creamier chocolate liqueur. There are many delicious options available, such as Godiva and Dorda. Both are made by famed chocolatiers, so you know they're delicious.
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"Once served in fun restaurants by hyper-talented juggling bartenders donning flared suspenders, this cocktail was the ultimate in decadence and frivolity in its day. This recipe is a great representation of how good a chocolate martini cocktail can be." —Sean Johnson  

Easy chocolate martini in a glass with a cocoa garnish
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces crème de cacao (or other chocolate liqueur), more for the rim

  • Cocoa powder, for rimming

  • 2 ounces vodka

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Easy Chocolate Martini ingredients gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Rim the glass with cocoa powder: Roll the rim of the glass in a small dish of crème de cacao, then roll in a small dish of cocoa powder.

    The rim of a cocktail glass dipped into a dish of cocoa powder

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Pour 1 1/2 ounces crème de cacao and 2 ounces vodka into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Vodka in a glass, crème de cacao in a shot glass, and ice in a bowl, next to a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Shake vigorously.

    Cocktail shaker being shaken

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Strain into the prepared glass and serve.

    Easy Chocolate Martini in a glass rimmed with cocoa powder

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Feeling Adventurous? Try This

Give this recipe a try with a few different vodka and chocolate liqueur brands, then add your own twist; perhaps a shaved chocolate garnish, an orange peel twist, a chocolate candy perched on the rim, or a mini candy cane swizzle stick for the holidays. It's the perfect cocktail base waiting for experimentation!

  • More flavor - You can add a little extra flavor by pouring a flavored vodka. Have fun with berry, coconut, or coffee vodkas for a fun twist. Citrus pairs well with chocolate as well. Vanilla vodka is a more obvious choice, and if you want to load up on the chocolate, go for a chocolate vodka. Any of the dessert-flavored vodkas, such as whipped cream, make a tasty martini, too. 
  • Make it creamy - A quick way to give this recipe a creamy touch is to pour Irish cream or dairy cream. To maintain balance, add just 1/2 ounce or so.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
244 Calories
0g Fat
16g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 244
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 15g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 0mg 0%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 1mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)