Easy Chocolate Martini

Written by
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Colleen Graham
Updated 04/02/21
Chocolate martini

The Spruce
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
281 Calories
2g Fat
20g Carbs
1g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 281
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 6mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 13mg 1%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 27mg 1%
*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.)

Treat yourself to a simple chocolate martini adorned with a cocoa rim and chocolate candy garnish. 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.

There are many versions of a chocolate-flavored martini and most have two things in common: vodka and chocolate. This is one of the easiest recipes because it simply mixes vodka with your favorite chocolate liqueur. It's also much lighter, skipping the cream entirely so you can just enjoy the delicious taste of chocolate.

Give this recipe a try with a few vodka and liqueur combinations, then add your own twist to it. It's the perfect base waiting for your experiments.

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Ingredients

  • Cocoa powder, for rimming

  • 2 ounces vodka

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

  • Chocolate candy, garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chocolate martini recipe ingredients

    The Spruce

  2. Rim a cocktail glass with cocoa: Wet the rim by dipping it in a small dish of the chocolate liqueur, then dip or roll it in a dish of cocoa powder.

    Cocoa-rimmed cocktail glass for chocolate martini recipe

    The Spruce

  3. Pour the vodka and chocolate liqueur into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.

  4. Shake vigorously.

  5. Strain into the prepared glass.

  6. Garnish with a chocolate candy.

    Chocolate martini with chocolate garnish
    The Spruce

  7. Serve and enjoy.

Is Crème de Cacao the Same as 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 liquor, on the other hand, 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

  • Experiment with different vodkas. 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.
  • You can use either white or dark crème de cacao. Only the color will change, not the taste.
  • 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.

Recipe Variations

  • 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. 
  • 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.

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.