Cherry Martini

The Cherry Martini drink is a sweet cocktail made from; gin, cherry brandy liqueur, dry vermouth and a splash of angostura orange bitters to add bitterness.

We also have recipes for similar Martini drinks like the Espresso Martini, Dry Martini, Porn Star Martini and French Martini.

  • Total Time:
  • Servings: 1
  • Type: Cocktail

Equipment

  • martini glass

Ingredients

  • 45 ml Gin
  • 20 ml Cherry brandy
  • 15 ml Dry Vermouth
  • 2 dash Angostura orange bitters

Instructions

  1. Mix the gin, cherry brandy, dry vermouth and orange bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled.
  2. Strain the liquid into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon slice or maraschino cherry.
The first official mention of Martini was in The New and Improved Illustrated Bartending Manual in 1888.

FAQ

What gin cocktails are best?

If you like a gin cocktail like the Cherry Martini, we also have a roundup of our top ten cocktails with gin, its not official, but we think you’ll find these cocktails are all worth trying.

What’s in a Cherry Martini?

The Cherry Martini mixes vodka (or gin), cherry liqueur, and a touch of vermouth, giving a fruity twist on the classic Martini. It’s smoother and sweeter, closer in feel to a Cosmopolitan than the bone-dry original.

How strong is a Cherry Martini?

A standard serve (50ml vodka at 40% ABV + 20ml cherry liqueur at 25% ABV) comes to about 2.2 alcohol units, similar in strength to a Negroni.

How does it compare to other Martini variations?

It’s fruitier than a Vodka Martini and much sweeter than an Espresso Martini. The cherry liqueur softens the edges of the spirit, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more approachable take on the Martini family.

What garnish works best?

A maraschino cherry is the natural garnish – it boosts the drink’s flavour and gives a pop of colour, just like the cherry lift in a Manhattan.

When should you serve a Cherry Martini?

It’s a playful, slightly indulgent cocktail that works well as a pre-dinner drink or as a sweeter option on a Martini menu.