Ginger Martini Cocktail

The spicy flavor of the fresh root shines in this ginger cocktail! It’s perfect as a vodka martini with lemon juice and simple syrup.

If you love the spicy flavor of fresh ginger, try this Ginger Cocktail! It’s a refreshing spin on the vodka martini featuring, ginger, lemon juice and dry vermouth. Each sip has just the right balance of sweet and tangy, with a spicy finish. Alex and I made this drink to use up a large ginger root that was lurking in our refrigerator. After making ginger tea, I wondered how it would taste in a cocktail. Turns out, the bold flavor of ginger is a unique way to spice up your cocktail repertoire!

What’s in this ginger cocktail?

This ginger cocktail is a spin on the flavored vodka martini, which is really just a martini in name only! There’s a whole family of vodka martinis that bear no resemblance to the classic cocktail at all. This ginger martini is one in a long line of vodka drinks, like the espresso martini, watermelon martini, pomegranate martini, and more. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

• Ginger simple syrup: my special recipe!
• Vodka
• Lemon juice
• Dry vermouth

My special method for ginger simple syrup

If you want the best ginger cocktail, I highly recommend using my ginger simple syrup recipe. Here’s why: most simple syrups are made by infusing an herb in the warm syrup. This works great for soft herbs like mint and rosemary. But ginger root is a bit tougher, so it’s harder to extract the flavor. The ginger syrup I made the standard way didn’t infuse ginger flavor into cocktails. I realized I was going to have to try a new way — using a blender! Here’s what to know:

• Wash and slice the ginger root. No need to peel it!
• Add the ginger to a blender with sugar and boiling water. It’s easy to boil water using a teapot, but you can use any method you like.
• Blend, then strain! Blend it for several minutes until smooth, then strain through a fine mesh strainer. This gets a creamy-looking ginger syrup with a very spicy ginger flavor. Taste it from the blender, and it tastes overly spicy, but it’s perfect when you use it in a drink. Trust me on this one!

How to make this cocktail

The ginger syrup is the only part of this cocktail that takes some time. Other than that, it’s a breeze to whip up! Here’s all you need to know about making a ginger martini:

• Make the ginger syrup. See above!
• Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place the ginger simple syrup, vodka, lemon juice, and dry vermouth in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
• Strain into a glass and garnish. Strain into a martini glass. If you’d like, garnish with a lemon slice or crystallized ginger.

More vodka martini recipes

Flavored martinis are a modern invention built on the vodka martini. Most of them drop the vermouth…so they’re hardly a Classic Martini at all! Here are some of my favorite flavored martini recipes:

• Lemon Drop Martini or Limoncello Martini: Zingy and full of citrus brightness.
• Espresso Martini or Coffee Martini: A modern classic made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka!
• Cucumber Martini: A crisp, cool take with the refreshing scent of this hydrating vegetable.
• Key Lime Martini: Fruity and fun, with a graham cracker crust rim! And Licor 43.
• Pomegranate Martini: This jewel-toned drink is sweet tart and light — the perfect fruity variation.
• Watermelon Martini: Tastes like summer! Easy to make and full of refreshing sweet flavor.
• French Martini: Perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.
• Raspberry Martini: Bright red and full of berry flavor!
• Chocolate Martini: Rich, creamy, and oh so decadent.

When to serve

This ginger martini works before dinner, after dinner, or anytime in between. Serve it as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Afternoon cocktail
• Late night drinks drink
• Girls or guys night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

Print

More ginger recipes

There are so many ways to use ginger root! Pick from some of my favorite ginger recipes:

• Ginger Tea: This soothing and invigorating drink has big flavor and potential health benefits.
• Ginger Lime Hummus: Features fresh flavors and is the perfect vegan snack!
• Fried Rice with Ginger: Here’s how to make the very best fried rice: takeout style! Egg, veggies, garlic, and ginger bring aromatic flavor to this homemade comfort food.