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Bailey's Martini Cocktail Drink

Baileys Martini Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Elevate your evenings with our Baileys Martini recipe! Combining the luxurious taste of Baileys with the crisp clarity of vodka, this cocktail promises a sip of elegance for your special moments.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 251

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Baileys Irish Cream
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • Ice cubes
  • Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Martini Glass

Instructions

  • Chill Glass: Place your Martini glass in the freezer or fill it with ice cubes and stir it, to chill the glass.
  • Combine Ingredients: Measure and pour 1 oz Vodka and 2 oz Baileys Irish Cream, and add ice cubes into your cocktail shaker.
  • Shake: Seal and shake the mixture vigorously until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty.
  • Prepare Glass: Remove your glass from the freezer or remove the ice cubes from the glass, and, if desired, rim it with chocolate shavings or dust it with cocoa powder for an extra touch.
  • Strain and Pour: Strain the chilled mixture into your prepared Martini glass.
  • Garnish: Add a final flourish with additional chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder if desired.

Notes

Substitutes:

I've had to get creative when I didn't have the classic ingredients for a Baileys Martini. For instance:
  • Baileys: No Baileys? No problem! I've used other types of Irish cream liqueur, and they've worked just fine. You can make homemade Irish cream with cream, whiskey, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate syrup, vanilla, and instant coffee.
  • Vodka: If I'm out of vodka, I've swapped it for a clear, neutral spirit like white rum; it changes the flavor slightly but keeps the cocktail's spirit!

Making a Pitcher of Baileys Martini:

  • Scale: I multiply the recipe for a gathering to accommodate my guest list. For 8 people, you will need 16 oz of Baileys and 8 oz of vodka.
  • Mix: I combine Baileys and vodka in a pitcher (no ice in the pitcher—it'll dilute the mixture!). I stir them well, then chill the pitcher in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.
  • Serve: I shake individual servings with ice in a shaker to give them the exact dilution and strain them into chilled glasses. Remember the garnish!

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Baileys Substitute: For a non-alcoholic version, I make a mock Irish cream using cream, chocolate syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of instant coffee, omitting the whiskey. There are also commercial non-alcoholic Irish cream syrups available.
  • Vodka Substitute: I skip the vodka and use more homemade Irish cream or a splash of non-alcoholic vanilla extract for an extra kick of flavor.
  • Proceed As Usual: I follow the standard steps, using these non-alcoholic substitutes, and serve it chilled!

Making it Vegan:

  • Vegan Baileys: When I have vegan friends over, I use a vegan Irish cream liqueur, or I make a homemade version using coconut milk, almond milk, or any other plant-based milk in place of the regular cream, along with vegan chocolate syrup.
  • Proceed As Usual: I make the cocktail just as I would with the traditional recipe, ensuring that all other ingredients are vegan-friendly (checking especially the chocolate shavings or cocoa powder).