Strawberry Martini

This Strawberry Martini is a refreshing cocktail perfect for any occasion! Made with real strawberries, it’s fruity and delicious.

This fruity strawberry gin martini is perfect for Valentine’s Day, a girls’ night in, or summer parties. It’s prepared with homemade strawberry simple syrup in just a few easy steps.

If you’re in the mood for more fruity cocktails, try making an Empress gin cocktail, a Blueberry gin cocktail, a Skinny spicy margarita recipe, a raspberry margarita, a raspberry mule, a raspberry martini, or a Kiwi gin cocktail.

Try this peach lemonade, peach mocktail, raspberry mocktail, blueberry matcha latte, or blackberry mocktail for non-alcoholic beverages.

If you want to give your simple syrup a unique and delicious flavor, make a blackberry simple syrup, blueberry simple syrup, peach simple syrup, or raspberry simple syrup.

Ingredients

• Strawberries: For this recipe, I used fresh, ripe strawberries. You can also use frozen strawberries. It will take a few minutes longer to incorporate with other ingredients when making the simple syrup.
• Light brown sugar: I prefer to use light brown sugar for the simple syrup. Brown sugar is not as sweet as white granulated sugar and has a subtle caramelized aroma.
• Water: We need an equal part of water as sugar to prepare the simple syrup. I used filtered water.
• Gin: Use your favorite gin for this martini. I tried this recipe with Hendrick’s and Bombay Sapphire gin.
• Lemon juice: It’s essential to use freshly squeezed lemon juice. The martini taste won’t be the same as the bottled lemon juice.
• Angostura bitters: Just a couple of dashes of Angostura orange bitters to amplify the flavor of this martini.

See recipe card for quantities.

Why You’ll Love This Martini

• Flavor: This strawberry martini recipe is a delightful blend of sweetness and tartness, creating a light and refreshing taste that is simply perfect.
• Great for any season: Remember that strawberries are available all year round but are at their best during summer. So, strawberries are always a perfect choice whether you want to quench your thirst on a hot summer day or plan a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
• Easy to make: This martini is so easy to make with simple ingredients and a few simple steps. If you prepare the syrup in advance, you will drastically reduce the prep time.

How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup

1. Wash, clean, and cut strawberries into smaller pieces.
2. Add water, sugar, and strawberries to a medium-sized pan and bring it to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for at least 15 minutes.
5. Strain into a measuring bowl using a spoon and a mesh strainer.
6. Pour the syrup into a glass jar and store it in a fridge for up to two weeks. Seal the jar once the syrup is completely cool.

Substitutions and Variations

• Use different spirits: I love using gin for fruity martinis, but you can also use vodka or tequila.
• Rim the glass: I kept it simple, but feel free to rim the glass with a lemon wedge and dip the glass in a bit of brown sugar. Another great addition would be to grate the zest of the lemon peel into a brown sugar.
• Adjust the syrup ratio: I find this syrup/spirits ratio perfect, not too sweet and tart, but feel free to adjust the ratio per your preferences.
• Use garnish: Some garnish ideas are strawberry slices, whole strawberries, or lemon wedges.
• Sparkling strawberry martini: Top with prosecco to add another level to this fruity martini.
• Frozen Strawberry Martini: Create a delightful and refreshing treat by blending the ingredients together with ice. The cool and frosty texture will be a perfect way to beat the heat.
• Add fresh herbs when prepping the martini: Add a couple of basil leaves to a cocktail shaker to make a strawberry basil martini.
• Make it non-alcoholic: To make a mocktail, omit the gin and Augusta bitters, add all other ingredients to an old-fashioned glass, add lots of ice, and top with club soda or tonic water.

How to Make Strawberry Martini

Step 1: Prepare the strawberry simple syrup and let it cool before using. Also, put the coupe or martini glass in a freezer for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2: Add ice halfway to a cocktail shaker and add strawberry syrup.

Step 3: Add freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Step 4: Add gin to a cocktail shaker.

Step 5: Add a couple of dashes of Angostura orange bitters.

Step 6: Shake vigorously for 10 seconds and double-strain into a chilled martini glass.

Step 7: Add garnish if preferred, and enjoy immediately!

Pro Tip: I used ice cubes to shake the cocktail instead of crushed ice for this recipe. It will be easier to strain the martini and avoid tiny pieces of ice in a martini.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Make the syrup in advance: To drastically cut down the prep time, I recommend making the syrup in advance.
• Chill the glass: I always recommend chilling the glass whenever you are making a cocktail because it will keep the drink cool longer.
• Fill the glass with ice: If you are short on time to chill the glass, fill the martini glass with ice while you are preparing the martini, and then dump the ice before pouring the martini into a glass.
• Use high-quality strawberries: The quality and ripeness of strawberries will affect the syrup flavor. I recommend using high-quality and ripe strawberries to give you the best taste.
• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice: Store-bought lemon juice is never a good choice. It’s essential to use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Shake vigorously: Shake the cocktail shaker or jar vigorously for 10-15 seconds to ensure all ingredients are chilled and enough air is incorporated into a drink.
• Use a large mason jar instead of a cocktail shaker: A large mason jar will work fine if you don’t have a cocktail shaker.
• Double-strain the martini: This is just a pet peeve of mine to avoid any tiny ice pieces in a martini. I usually use just a Hawthorne strainer but also a fine mesh strainer.

Storage

This martini is best enjoyed when freshly prepared. You can always prepare the strawberry syrup in advance and leave it in the fridge for two weeks to speed up the preparation time.

Recipe FAQs