Gingerbread Martini

Gingerbread Martini is your ultimate holiday dessert cocktail — creamy, spiced, and packed with the nostalgic flavor of gingerbread cookies. Made with a homemade gingerbread syrup, vanilla ice cream, Baileys, and vodka, this festive drink is both cozy and celebratory. Garnished with whipped cream and a mini cookie, it’s perfect for Christmas parties or a cozy night by the fire.

Nothing captures the magic of the holidays quite like gingerbread. And when you mix that sweet-spiced flavor into a creamy, boozy martini? You’ve got the perfect December indulgence. This Gingerbread Martini is rich and velvety, with deep ginger, cinnamon, and clove notes from the homemade syrup — plus a splash of Kahlúa and Baileys for a little holiday spirit. Served in a cookie-rimmed glass with whipped cream on top, this cocktail is part dessert, part drink, and 100% festive.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this recipe

• Dessert in a glass: Creamy, sweet, and decadent
• Showstopping presentation: Cookie rim, whipped cream, and a gingerbread man garnish
• Homemade gingerbread syrup: Adds rich spice and warmth
• Easy to batch: Make the syrup ahead and mix several drinks at once
• Perfect for parties: A crowd-pleaser for holiday gatherings

🛒 Ingredients

Gingerbread Simple Syrup (Makes ~1 cup)

• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and coarsely grated
• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1½ cups water
• ¾ cup granulated sugar

For Each Martini

• ½ cup crushed gingerbread cookies (for rimming)
• 2 tablespoons vanilla ice cream
• 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream
• 1 oz vodka
• ½ oz Kahlúa
• ½ oz gingerbread syrup
• Ice

To Serve

• Whipped cream
• Ground cinnamon
• Mini gingerbread cookie (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Gingerbread Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until reduced by half. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Cool for 10 minutes, then strain into a jar or container. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Step 2: Prepare the Glass

Place crushed cookies on a small plate and pour a little syrup on another. Dip the rim of a martini glass into the syrup, then into the crushed cookies to coat the rim.

Step 3: Shake the Cocktail

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine vanilla ice cream, Baileys, vodka, Kahlúa, and ½ oz of the syrup. Shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds, until very cold and frothy.

Step 4: Serve

Strain into the prepared glass. Top with a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a gingerbread cookie garnish.

⏱️ Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes (for syrup)
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 1 cocktail (plus syrup for 6–8)

🔢 Nutrition Facts (per cocktail, approx.)

• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 22g
• Alcohol: ~15% ABV
• Fat: 12g
• (Nutrition will vary based on brands and toppings used)

💡 Tips & Variations

• No ice cream? Use heavy cream or milk with a splash of vanilla extract
• Make it vegan: Use non-dairy ice cream and Baileys Almande
• Use store-bought syrup: If short on time, a spiced simple syrup works in a pinch
• Batch it: Multiply the recipe and serve from a chilled pitcher
• No shaker? Use a mason jar with a tight lid and strain with a fine sieve

❓ FAQs

Can I make the gingerbread syrup in advance?
Yes! Store it in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to a month. It’s great in coffee and oatmeal too.

What kind of vodka is best?
Any smooth, neutral vodka works. Vanilla vodka is a fun twist if you have it.

How do I rim the glass without making a mess?
Use shallow plates and roll gently. Tap off excess cookie crumbs before pouring the drink.

Can I make this alcohol-free?
Yes — skip the spirits and use milk or a coffee substitute with ice cream and syrup for a mocktail version.

Gingerbread Martini

A cozy, festive dessert cocktail made with spiced syrup, vodka, Baileys, and vanilla ice cream. Rimmed with cookies and topped with whipped cream, it’s the perfect holiday drink.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• #### Gingerbread Syrup makes ~1 cup
• – 2 tbsp coarsely grated peeled ginger
• – 2 3″ cinnamon sticks
• – 4 whole cloves
• – 1½ cups water
• – ¾ cup granulated sugar
• #### For Each Martini
• – ½ cup crushed gingerbread cookies for rim
• – 2 tbsp vanilla ice cream
• – 1 oz Baileys
• – 1 oz vodka
• – ½ oz Kahlúa
• – ½ oz gingerbread syrup
• – Ice
• #### Garnish
• – Whipped cream
• – Ground cinnamon
• – Gingerbread cookie optional

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Cocktail shaker
• Fine mesh strainer
• – Martini glass

Method

 

1. **Make syrup**: In a small saucepan, boil ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and water. Simmer 20 minutes until reduced by half. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Cool and strain.
2. **Rim the glass**: Dip the rim of a martini glass in syrup, then in crushed cookies.
3. **Mix drink**: In a shaker with ice, combine ice cream, Baileys, vodka, Kahlúa, and syrup. Shake until frosty.
4. **Serve**: Strain into glass. Top with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a cookie.

Notes

– Syrup keeps in fridge for 1 month
– Batch version: multiply cocktail ingredients and stir in a chilled pitcher
– Add vanilla vodka or spiced rum for a fun twist

🧾 Conclusion

The Gingerbread Martini is the ultimate seasonal cocktail — rich, spiced, and ready to impress. It’s cozy enough for sipping fireside, festive enough for holiday parties, and so delicious you’ll want to make it all winter long. Serve it in a rimmed glass with a gingerbread cookie and enjoy the best of dessert and drink in one frosty package.