✔ Updated · rebalanced pour, frosting-rim method, party batch + an alcohol-free version
A sugar cookie martini tastes like a frosted Christmas cookie in a glass, and it is my favorite holiday-party cocktail: vanilla vodka, Irish cream and a touch of amaretto shaken with half-and-half. It contains alcohol for adults of legal drinking age, and an alcohol-free version is below.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use a thin layer of frosting on the rim. A thick ring slides down the glass as it warms, while a thin one holds the sprinkles neatly.
Why You'll Love This Christmas Cookie Martini
- Tastes like dessert, with vanilla, almond and buttery cream notes.
- Ready in 5 minutes, with just a shaker and a frosted rim.
- Party-friendly: the cream mix can be batched and chilled ahead.
- Alcohol-free option: a creamy vanilla cookie shake-up for everyone.
What You Need for a Sugar Cookie Martini
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below, and I keep the vanilla vodka in my freezer.
- Vanilla vodka: the base and the main source of the sugar cookie flavor.
- Irish cream liqueur: adds creaminess and a gentle whiskey and cocoa note.
- Amaretto: a sweet almond liqueur that makes the drink taste like a baked cookie.
- Half-and-half or whole milk: rounds out the drink and softens the alcohol.
- Frosting and sprinkles: for the festive rim, plus an optional mini sugar cookie to garnish.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Shake it hard. I count a full 15 seconds, which chills and slightly aerates the cream, which gives the martini its silky, frothy top.
- Choose your richness. Half-and-half makes it creamier; whole milk keeps it lighter. Skip fat-free milk, which tastes thin with the liqueurs.
- Go easy on the amaretto. Half an ounce adds a cookie-like almond note; more can overpower the vanilla.
- Chill the glass after rimming. A few minutes in the freezer sets the frosting so the sprinkles stay put.
- No frosting? Use a little corn syrup or honey on the rim instead, or simply dust the top of the drink with crushed sugar cookie crumbs.
Sugar Cookie Martini
1
drink5
minutes360
kcal5
minutesA creamy Christmas cookie martini: vanilla vodka, Irish cream, a little amaretto and half-and-half shaken hard with ice and strained into a martini glass rimmed with vanilla frosting and holiday sprinkles. Contains alcohol; for adults of legal drinking age only.
Ingredients
- For the Rim
1 tablespoon vanilla frosting
2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles or sanding sugar
- For the Martini
1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz Irish cream liqueur
1/2 oz amaretto (almond liqueur)
1 oz half-and-half or whole milk, cold
1 cup ice cubes
1 mini sugar cookie, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Rim the Glass
- Spread a thin, even ring of vanilla frosting around the outer rim of a martini or coupe glass with a small offset spatula or your fingertip.
- Pour the sprinkles onto a small plate, turn the glass upside down and roll the frosted rim through them until coated. Chill the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes while you mix the drink.
- Shake and Serve
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, amaretto and half-and-half.
- Seal the shaker and shake hard for 15 seconds, until the outside feels frosty cold.
- Strain into the rimmed glass, garnish with a mini sugar cookie on the rim if you like, and serve right away. This drink contains alcohol and is for adults of legal drinking age only.
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How to Make Sugar Cookie Martinis for a Crowd
For 8 drinks, stir 1 1/2 cups (12 oz) of vanilla vodka, 1 cup (8 oz) of Irish cream, 1/2 cup (4 oz) of amaretto and 1 cup (8 oz) of half-and-half in a pitcher or bottle. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Rim the glasses ahead and keep them in the fridge. To serve, shake about 4 ounces of the mix per drink with ice and strain into the glasses.
Alcohol-Free Sugar Cookie Shake-Up
Kids and non-drinkers can join in with this creamy mocktail in the same frosted glass:
- Shake with ice: 3 ounces of cold whole milk or half-and-half, 1/2 ounce of vanilla syrup and a tiny drop of almond extract.
- Strain into the frosting-and-sprinkle rimmed glass and top with a mini sugar cookie.
- Make it festive: add a dollop of whipped cream and a pinch of nutmeg.
Variations
- Spiced cookie: add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to the shaker for a snickerdoodle-style martini.
- Lighter: use 1 ounce of vodka and 2 ounces of milk for a softer, less boozy drink.
- Dairy-free: use oat milk and a dairy-free cream liqueur.
- More Irish cream drinks: see our Baileys cocktails and drinks with Baileys and Kahlua.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A sugar cookie martini is usually vanilla vodka, Irish cream liqueur and amaretto shaken with milk or half-and-half, served in a glass rimmed with vanilla frosting and sprinkles. This version uses 1 1/2 oz vodka, 1 oz Irish cream, 1/2 oz amaretto and 1 oz half-and-half.
Usually, yes. Most Christmas cookie martinis are the same creamy vanilla, almond and Irish cream mix with a frosted, sprinkle-covered rim. Some versions add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to taste more like a spiced holiday cookie.
Stir the vodka, Irish cream, amaretto and half-and-half together in a sealed bottle and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake each serving with ice right before pouring, since the cream mix needs fresh ice to turn cold and frothy. Rim the glasses ahead and keep them chilled.
What can I use instead of vanilla vodka?
Use plain vodka with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a splash of vanilla syrup. Cake- or whipped-cream-flavored vodka also works and makes the drink taste even more like frosting. Taste and adjust the sweetness before shaking.
With 3 ounces of spirits and liqueurs, it is a fairly strong dessert cocktail even though it tastes sweet and creamy. Sip it slowly, and enjoy it only if you are of legal drinking age. The alcohol-free version gives the same cookie flavor without alcohol.
🍪 Filling a cookie tin? Find more holiday baking recipes for the season.
