With creamy Baileys, nutty amaretto, and vanilla vodka, this sugar cookie martini tastes just like you're eating one! Enjoy this festive Christmas cocktail during the holiday season.
Nothing says it's the holidays like a Sugar Cookie Martini! With a delicious combination of vodka, baileys, amaretto, and vanilla—this cocktail tastes just like a fresh baked sugar cookie. This drink has simple proportions and is not too sweet, so everyone can enjoy!
This sugar cookie cocktail requires no crazy ingredients or technique. It can be shaken or stirred so it is easy to batch for all the elves who want one. It's nutty, creamy, vanilla-y and the perfect Christmas drink. This decadent dessert martini would also be fabulous for Valentine's Day.
Serve this festive cocktail at your next holiday party in martini glasses or coupes with a frosted rim and Christmas-themed sprinkles. This recipe can be made gluten free, and with a non-dairy option if you purchase the almond milk baileys.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like a sugar cookie. Have your cookie and drink it too.
- A delicious holiday drink. Get in the Christmas cookie spirit!
- Uses common bar ingredients.
- Made in 3 minutes. Just shake and enjoy!
- Easy to batch by stirring in a pitcher.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, and can be made dairy-free or vegan.
Want more Christmas cheer? Try my chai espresso martini, healthy gingerbread latte, gluten-free ginger molasses cookies, oreo truffles, healthy peppermint mocha.
Ingredient Notes
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this sugar cookie martini:
- Vodka: This is the perfect neutral flavour for a martini. I use Tito's regular vodka.
- Bailey's Irish Cream: Gives a creamy, buttery taste like a sugar cookie. Use any Irish cream.
- Amaretto: This almond flavor liqueur gives a nutty, caramel taste to the martini. I use Disaronno. You could use any other almond-flavored liqueur.
- Milk or cream: Balances out all the liquor. Use whole milk, heavy cream, or even coffee creamer for the creamiest drink.
- Vanilla extract: Add a pinch just like you would in cookie dough. You could also simply use vanilla flavored vodka.
- Ice: For shaking.
- Vanilla frosting and sprinkles: For decorating the rim of the glass.
Substitutions
There are several ways to change up this cocktail. Here are some substitution suggestions:
- Change the spirit. Swap the vodka for whiskey, bourbon, gin, or your favorite spirit. To skip the vanilla extract, use vanilla flavored vodka, or butterscotch schnapps and even white chocolate liqueur.
- Make it dairy-free and vegan. Baileys makes an almond milk version of their classic Irish cream. Use that along with coconut cream, oat milk, or another dairy-free alternative.
- Shake with flavor. You could add ground cinnamon, almond extract, peppermint extract, or any other flavors to your shaker and shaking will extract the flavours into the drink.
- Adjust sweetness. I don't include any simple syrup in this recipe because the baileys and amaretto are sweet tasting. If you like it sweeter, add some simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.
(1) Spoon the icing onto a small plate and pour the sprinkles into a pile beside it. Bring out a martini glass or coupe. Run the rim of your glass around in the icing, then press it into the sprinkles all the way around. Set aside.
(2) Add the vodka, baileys, amaretto, milk, and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker. Add 4-5 ice cubes and close the top.
(3) Shake for 30-60 seconds until frosty.
(4) Remove the small cap of the shaker and pour into the rimmed glass. Enjoy responsibly!
What to Serve with a Sugar Cookie Martini
With Christmas cookies—duh! Jokes aside, this sugar cookie martini is the perfect cocktail for the winter season. It's delicious when you dip a cookie in it, just like milk & cookies for Santa! Enjoy at Thanksgiving and Christmas with all your friends and family. Here are some of my holiday faves to pair with it:
- Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
- Matcha Shortbread Cookies
- White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Oreo Truffles
- Slice-and-Bake Sugar Cookies
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Millionaire Shortbread
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Check out more Christmas recipes!
Make Ahead & Storage
Note that this cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. It should not be made ahead of time, nor stored for later.
Batching
Instead of shaking, you could make a larger quantity of martinis by stirring the ingredients together in a pitcher. Multiply the ingredient quantities by the number of drinks you wish to make. Be sure to include some ice for dilution.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a delicious sugar cookie martini:
- Rim your glass first with icing and sprinkles. You can then place it in the freezer to chill if you want.
- Store your alcohol in the fridge for an extra cold drink.
- Shake the cocktail extra hard for the beautiful foam. Until the shaker is frosty.
- Pour the drink quickly, so the foam settles on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most distilled alcohols are in fact gluten-free and safe for celiacs due to the distillation process. As always, read the label on your vodka. I use Titos, as it is distilled from corn and states it is gluten-free on the bottle.
Baileys makes an almond milk Irish cream liqueur you could use, along with your favourite dairy free milk such as almond milk or oat milk.
This sugar cookie martini recipe is the ultimate drink to get into the holiday spirit! It's giving sugar plum fairy, freshly baked cookie deliciousness. It's very easy to make with classic bar staples. This Christmas martini is a great way to get your holiday parties going. Have fun with it and enjoy responsibly!
More Drinks
- Aperol Coconut Margarita
- Apple Cider Aperol Spritz
- Peach Basil Sour Cocktail
- Blended Aperol Spritz Cocktail
Have you made this sugar cookie martini? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5 star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
Sugar Cookie Martini
Ingredients
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz baileys or other Irish cream
- 1 oz amaretto I use Disaronno
- 1 oz milk or cream
- ¼ oz vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon vanilla buttercream optional for the rim
- 2 tablespoon sprinkles optional for the rim
Instructions
- Spoon the icing onto a small plate and pour the sprinkles into a pile beside it. Run the rim of a martini glass or coupe around in the icing, then press it into the sprinkles all the way around. Set aside.
- Add the vodka, baileys, amaretto, milk, and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker. Add 4-5 ice cubes and close the top.
- Shake for 30-60 seconds until frosty.
- Remove the small cap of the shaker and pour into the rimmed glass. Enjoy responsibly!
Notes
- Is this drink gluten free? Most distilled alcohols are considered gluten free. I use Titos vodka which is made from corn and states it is gluten free. Because baileys and amaretto are distilled, they are generally considered gluten free too.
- Can I make this dairy free? Baileys makes an almond milk liqueur you could use, along with your favourite dairy free milk such as almond milk or oat milk.
- Batching: Instead of shaking, you could make a larger quantity of martinis by stirring the ingredients together in a pitcher. Multiply the ingredient quantities by the number of drinks you wish to make. Be sure to include some ice for dilution.
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