Wasabi Martini

Wasabi Martini

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Add the unique spice of wasabi to your vodka martini with this simple recipe. The wasabi martini is a fun cocktail to serve with sushi or any other Japanese food and it's very easy to make. If you're up for a cocktail adventure, this is a great place to begin!

For this recipe, you'll simply infuse your favorite vodka with a dollop of wasabi. The spiciness of the green horseradish paste is then offset with lemon juice and simple syrup, providing an interesting taste experience that is unlike any other cocktail.

The key to a great wasabi martini is to find the perfect balance between the sweet, sour, and spicy elements. This will be a matter of personal preference, so adjust the three flavoring ingredients as needed to find your ideal flavor.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a cocktail shaker, pour the vodka. Add a dollop of wasabi and stir it around in the vodka until dissolved.

  3. Add the lemon juice and simple syrup, and fill the shaker with ice.

  4. Shake well.

  5. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass

  6. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Wasabi does not mix very well when simply shaken with the other ingredients. There's a strong possibility that you'll be left with a chunk or two of the paste, which is why dissolving it into the vodka is recommended.
  • The consistency and texture of wasabi vary a bit as well. You might find that with some prepackaged wasabis, double straining through a fine mesh strainer is not necessary. Then again, if you choose a chunkier, freshly prepared wasabi—the truest flavor option—it may need to be strained a few times to get a clean cocktail.
  • For a garnish, give your cocktail a green highlight with a simple lime peel. Hanging a spiral on the rim is a beautiful touch that really adds to the drink's allure.
  • A thin ribbon of cucumber gently folded inside the glass is nice as well. With this, you'll find that the cool flavor is a great contrast to the spicy cocktail.

Recipe Variations

  • If you want to add another background flavor, pour a cucumber- or ginger-infused vodka. Either infusion can be made at home very easily and there are a few commercial versions available, too. With the ginger, you'll be adding to the drink's spice while the cucumber cools down the palate just enough to make a drink anyone will enjoy.
  • Another option is to replace the vodka with sake. It's a natural pairing for wasabi, given the ingredients' origins in the culinary world, and brings in a subtle but intriguing twist.
  • The cucumber wasabi martini plays up the fascinating combination of its two named ingredients. The recipe is very similar to this one, but it opts for gin and muddles a few cucumber slices with the wasabi and syrup.

How Strong Is a Wasabi Martini?

The wasabi martini packs a punch, both in its flavor and the alcohol. It will shake up to 22 percent ABV (44 proof) or so, which is typical of martinis.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
162 Calories
0g Fat
8g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 162
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 56mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 6mg 30%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 19mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)