This raspberry mint martini is a fun and colorful spin on a classic martini. Fresh raspberries and mint muddled together, vodka, a touch of dry vermouth, raspberry syrup, and lemon juice, shaken and strained into a chilled martini glass.
About this recipe
This is a vodka martini with muddled fresh raspberries and mint, homemade raspberry syrup, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and a small amount of dry vermouth. The vermouth is what makes this feel like a proper martini rather than just a fruity vodka cocktail because it adds a drier note that stops the drink from being too sweet.
The raspberries and mint are muddled together in the shaker. Raspberries break down easily with just a light press so the mint doesn’t get over-worked in the process and you get the fruit flavor and the fresh mint oils without any bitterness.
Shake it hard, strain it well, and get it into a chilled glass quickly. For more vodka cocktail ideas, browse my vodka cocktail recipes.
Key ingredients and why
- Vodka: The base spirit. Keeps things clean and lets the raspberry and mint come through.
- Dry vermouth: A small amount but it makes a real difference.
- Fresh raspberries: They break down easily so the mint stays fresh and not over-worked.
- Fresh mint: Muddled together with the raspberries.
- Raspberry syrup: Adds sweetness and a concentrated raspberry flavor. My homemade raspberry syrup is quick to make and keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
- Fresh lemon juice: A small amount to brighten the drink and balance the sweetnesss
Assembling the martini
- Chill a martini glass in the freezer while you make the drink.
- Add the fresh raspberries and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle gently.
- Add the vodka, dry vermouth, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and a generous handful of ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds until well chilled. Double strain into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries on a skewer and a sprig of fresh mint.
Tips
- Chill your glass. A cold martini glass keeps the drink colder for longer. Pop it in the freezer while you make the drink.
- Double strain. Use a cocktail strainer and a fine mesh sieve to catch all the raspberry seeds and mint bits.
- Make the syrup ahead. The raspberry syrup needs to be completely cool before using. It keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
Related recipes
- Raspberry Simple Syrup – the syrup that makes this drink
- Raspberry Gin Sour – the same syrup with gin and egg white foam
- Cranberry Gin Martini – another pretty, fruity martini
- Strawberry Martini – a simple, fruity vodka martini
Raspberry Mint Martini
Ingredients
- 6 fresh raspberries
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz dry vermouth
- 0.5 oz raspberry simple syrup
- 1/3 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Fresh raspberries and a mint sprig to garnish
Instructions
- Fill a martini glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker combine mint leaves, lemon juice, vodka and raspberry syrup. Use a stirrer to muddle the mint leaves in the mixture.
- Add in a handful of ice and put the lid on the cocktail shaker. Stir the mixture vigorously for around 10 seconds with a stirrer.
- Tip the ice out of the martini glass. Strain the drink into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish the glass with fresh raspberries speared on a toothpick and a spring of fresh mint.
Notes
- Double strain through a fine mesh sieve to catch raspberry seeds and mint pieces for a clean drink.
- Swap the vodka for gin for a different but equally good version.
- Make the raspberry syrup ahead so it’s completely cool before using.
