Chocolatini Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/17/21
Tested by
Laurel Randolph
Photo of Laurel Randolph
Tested by Laurel Randolph
A fervid lover of the culinary arts and all things Instant Pot, Laurel has been writing about food for 10 years. One of her cookbooks was the #2 cookbook of 2017.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Chocolatini Cocktail

The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

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

There are many chocolate-flavored martinis, and a number of them go under the name "chocolatini." This is one of those recipes, and it is sweet, delicious, creamy, and oh-so-tempting. It's a fabulous cocktail to mix up for special occasions, to serve with—or as—dessert at a dinner party, or enjoy anytime you simply feel like indulging your sweet tooth.

This variation on the chocolate martini features Irish cream with a luscious chocolate liqueur; we like Godiva. You can easily customize this for extra or different flavors. Vanilla vodka adds an extra twist of flavor, and the result is a very yummy cocktail with a nice balance. It is a great dessert "martini" and has the potential to become one of your new favorites.

"This boozy, creamy cocktail is made for a Friday night. Enjoy it as dessert with a couple of squares of good chocolate on the side. It's balanced and not too chocolatey, so feel free to swap a little of the Irish cream for more chocolate liqueur if you want a stronger flavor." —Laurel Randolph

Chocolatini Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vanilla vodka

  • 1 1/4 ounces Irish cream liqueur

  • 1/4 ounce chocolate liqueur

  • Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chocolatini Cocktail ingredients

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. Pour vodka and liqueurs into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

    Pour vodka and liqueurs into a cocktail shaker filled with ice

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. Shake well.

    Chocolatini cocktail in a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Strain into a well-chilled cocktail glass.

    Chocolatini cocktail poured into a glass

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  5. Garnish with chocolate shavings.

    Chocolatini Cocktail with chocolate shavings

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Tips

  • The vodka doesn't need to be your best, but it should be decent. A cocktail with such heavy, thick flavors is not going to be broken by the vodka, and there are many great vanilla ones to choose from. We would suggest Grey Goose La Vanille, Stoli Vanil, or Van Gogh Vanilla.
  • Godiva is the liqueur we first used when developing this recipe, and it's great because of its rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture. Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur is a fantastic option and comparable substitute.

Recipe Variations

There are infinite ways to vary this recipe. Here are some we like:

  • You can switch the vodka. Most of the whipped cream and dessert-like vodkas would be fun. Coffee-flavored vodkas can bring in another dimension that's good with the chocolate cream.
  • If you want more chocolate flavor, swap up to 1/4 ounce of the Bailey's for more chocolate liqueur.
  • Experiment with different chocolate liqueurs. Keep an eye out for smaller brands as they are released; don't be afraid to give an unknown a try.
  • If you can't find a chocolate liqueur similar to Godiva or Dorda, crème de cacao would be a decent substitute; you'll just lose that touch of extra creaminess.
  • Bailey's Irish cream is widely available, but there are lots of other Irish cream liqueurs available too. Experiment and find your favorite.

How to Serve a Chocolatini

A dessert-like cocktail such as this one is just begging to be dressed up a bit with a little more chocolate when you serve it:

  • Add shaved chocolate on top of the drink.
  • Rim the glass with cocoa.
  • Sprinkle grated nutmeg or cinnamon for a little contrast.
  • Garnish with a small chocolate candy.
  • Dip a strawberry in melted chocolate and add it to the rim.

How Strong Is the Chocolatini?

As with most martinis, this may seem like a sweet and innocent cocktail, but the reality tells a different story. You need to remember that this chocolatini is made up completely of alcohol, and that fact alone will bring the drink's strength up significantly.


When made with the brand's suggested and 70-proof vanilla vodka, this cocktail has an alcohol content of around 22 percent ABV (44 proof). That is less than the classic gin martini, yet almost double a low-proof drink like the grasshopper.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
285 Calories
2g Fat
23g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 285
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 14mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 40mg 1%
*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.)