Delicious Chocolate Martini (make it Dairy Free too!)

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.

More Martini Recipes to try:

Now, let's make this chocolate cocktail - cheers!

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: