This delicious Chocolate Martini recipe is one of our all-time favorites. It's gluten-free of course, and it's easy to make it dairy-free too. You can double the recipe in a standard cocktail shaker, and you probably should, because you'll want to share it with someone you like a whole lot. Or you'll want another one for yourself.
This recipe calls for both coffee flavored liqueur and chocolate liqueur, so you'll want to choose options that you know are gluten-free. Standard Kahlua is safe, and most Crème de Cacao is safe as well. You can also make your own chocolate liqueur or Kahlua if you're feeling industrious.
Making You Own Coffee Liqueur or Kahlua:
You can make your own Kahlua, it's actually pretty simple. If you know how to make simple syrup, you can make coffee liqueur.
You'll need: 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar, ½ cup instant coffee, to make a syrup, then 2 tablespoons vanilla or vanilla bean paste and 2 cups vodka.
Combine water and sugar in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves and liquid becomes clear, then turn the heat off and stir in the instant coffee. Let the syrup cool completely. Add the vodka, vanilla and cooled syrup to a container with a tight lid (I use a big glass jar) and stir to combine. Stow it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
There are lots of good instant coffees available. I like Medaglia de Oro, Cafe Bustelo or Starbucks.
Making Your Chocolate Martini Dairy Free:
Of course, you'll want to swap out the half and half for a dairy free option. I like plain coconut milk coffee creamer or coconut based half and half, both of which are usually in my fridge. Almond milk or soy milk will also work, or an almond based creamer - I recommend an unsweetened version or vanilla flavored. You should also be aware that while store-bought Kahlua is gluten-free, it's not dairy-free. So you'll need to use a coffee flavored liqueur that is DF, or add some instant coffee granules and a splash of simple syrup to 1 ounce of vodka instead.
If you love chocolate half as much as I do, try these Financiers With Dark Chocolate Ganache - it's a recipe from my friend Cupcake Wars winner Kyra Bussanich.
Martini fans should check out this Tangerine Martini from my friend Alison too!
Chocolate Martini
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. coffee flavored liqueur like Kahlua
- 1 oz. chocolate flavored liqueur like Crème de Cacao
- 1.5 oz. half & half or coconut, almond or soy based substitute
- ice
- chocolate shavings optional
Instructions
- Add drink ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake to blend.
- Strain cocktail into chilled martini glass.
- Top with chocolate shavings if desired, and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Photos: Meg van der Kruik - she makes a mean Classic Dirty Martini.
I mean, who doesn't want one of these?!?
Frequently Asked Questions about Making a Chocolate Martini:
The best chocolate martinis are made of coffee flavored liqueur like Kahlua, chocolate flavored liqueur like Crème de Cacao and half & half. Many also add vodka.
Crème de Cacao is a sweet alcoholic liqueur flavored with cocoa beans and usually a hint of vanilla. Chocolate liqueur can have more sugar, making it and sweeter and more syrupy.
Store-bought Kahlua is gluten-free, but it is not dairy-free.
Not always. Some chocolate liqueur can have gluten ingredients. The only way to make sure your chocolate martini is gluten-free is to make certain all the ingredients are GF.
Yes. To make a dairy free chocolate martini, use non-dairy creamer or milks, and dairy-free liquor to mix the drink. Store-bought Kahlua is not dairy-free, and chocolate liqueur can have dairy ingredients as well. Choose dairy-free options or make your own.
No. Kahlua is a coffee flavored liqueur, and Crème de Cacao is flavored with cocoa beans and usually a hint of vanilla.
Yes, you can make your own Kahlua at home. The process is actually pretty simple, if you know how to make simple syrup, you can make coffee liqueur. You need water, sugar, and instant coffee to make a syrup, then add vanilla and vodka.
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