Port wine is synonymous with cosy winter evenings and Christmas, but Port isn’t just for sipping on while you warm yourself in front of the fire, it also makes delicious cocktails.
So, whether you are a Port aficionado or just want to use up a bottle of Port before it goes bad, this twist on a classic Martini is the perfect winter cocktail.
Contents
What is a Port Martini?
A Port Martini is a variation of the classic Martini that swaps the Vermouth of a classic Martini for Port wine.
It balances the sweetness of Port with the crispness neutral flavor of vodka, creating a rich yet smooth drink.
It’s an easy way to add a unique twist to a familiar cocktail.
Port Martini ingredients
To make a Port Martini, you will need the following ingredients, each of which plays a key role in the cocktail’s flavor profile:
Port wine
Port wine is made from black grapes grown in the upper Douro in Portugal.
It is a fortified wine, which means that additional alcohol (grape spirit) is added to fermented grape juice to produce an alcoholic sweet wine.
You can use either Ruby or Tawny Port for this recipe.
Ruby Port is sweet with notes of berries, chocolate and coffee. This gives the drink a bold, rich sweetness.
Tawny Port has complex nutty, caramel, and dried fruit flavors. This creates a more subtle and layered taste in the Martini.
See our article to read in more detail about Ruby vs Tawny Port wine.
Vodka
Vodka is neutral in taste, allowing the sweetness of the Port to be the main focus.
Buy quality vodka if you can afford it as it will improve the taste of your cocktail.
Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice adds both color and a touch of acidity to help balance the flavors nicely.
Ice
Used to chill the drink and dilute it slightly. The ice helps bring out the flavors by softening the alcohol.
How to Make a Port Martini
Pour ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
Shake and strain to a chilled Martini glass.
Garnish with olives or a slice of lemon (optional).
Looking for more Port wine cocktails?
Here are some other classics to try:
Tawny Port Martini recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tawny Port 50 ml
- 1 oz vodka 25 ml
- .5 oz cranberry juice 12.5 ml
Instructions
- Pour ingredients into an ice-filled shaker.
- Shake and strain to a chilled Martini glass.
- Garnish with olives.
