Sugar Cookie 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 10/07/19
Sugar Cookie Martini
The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios
  • Total: 5 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 serving

Sweet, delicious, and far quicker to make than actual cookies, the sugar cookie martini is sure to become a new favorite. It's the perfect dessert cocktail for the holidays and other celebrations, but it's also easy enough to enjoy on a weeknight when you have an insatiable sweet tooth.

The recipe requires three common bar ingredients, so you likely won't have to run out for anything special. While it's not exactly like a sugar cookie, the flavor combination of vanilla vodka, amaretto, and Irish cream comes about as close as you can get. Of course, no sugar cookie is complete without the decorations! Adding a colorful rim dresses it up perfectly and, if you want to really indulge, dip it in your favorite frosting first.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka
  • 1 ounce amaretto
  • 1 1/2 ounces Irish cream
  • Garnish: colored sugar or candy sprinkles (for rim)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for a Sugar Cookie Martini
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  2. Rim a cocktail glass with colored sugar or candy sprinkles: Begin by wetting the rim with a quick dip in a dish of Irish cream or amaretto, then roll it in a dish of the sugar or sprinkles.

    Rimming the Sugar Cookie Martini With Colorful Sugar
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the vanilla vodka, amaretto, and Irish cream.

    Mixing up a Simple Sugar Cookie Martini
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  4. Shake well.

    Shaking up a Sugar Cookie Martini
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  5. Strain into the prepared glass.

    Sugar Cookie Martini With Candy Sprinkle Rim
    The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Look in the grocer's baking section for colored sugar and candy sprinkles. You'll find a colorful variety to choose from and one is sure to match your party's theme.
  • Vanilla is one of the easiest flavored vodkas to find. One trip to the liquor store should produce at least a few options at different price ranges.
  • Since both amaretto and Irish cream are bar staples, it's a good idea to invest in a premium version of these liqueurs. All of your drinks will improve if you spend just a little more for each bottle.

Recipe Variations

  • Rather than dipping the rim in one of the liqueurs, try a vanilla frosting rim for an extra sweet touch.
  • Some sugar cookie martini recipes use chocolate (or white chocolate) liqueur instead of amaretto. Others use butterscotch schnapps. Both make delicious drinks, but don't quite have the neutral flavor of a sugar cookie that amaretto brings.
  • Switch to vanilla-flavored rum or a whipped cream vodka if you prefer.
  • If you want a lower-proof cocktail, pour milk or cream instead of Irish cream.
  • Transform this martini into a round of party shots. The recipe will easily fill two 2-ounce shot glasses or three smaller glasses.

How Strong Is a Sugar Cookie Martini?

Be careful with this sweet and innocent looking martini! It packs a big punch with an alcohol content around 25 percent ABV (50 proof). That's not unusual for vodka martinis, but sweet ones like this can make you forget that it's not a weak drink.