Chocolatini
The Chocolatini cocktail serves as a delightful and indulgent treat for those with a sweet tooth and a penchant for the finer things in life. The sumptuous concoction weaves together the best of both worlds — the rich decadence of chocolate and the sophistication of a classic martini.
This chocolate-infused vodka martini melds the richness of Irish cream and the sinfulness of creme de cacao, a chocolate liqueur. The cocktail deviates significantly from the classic dry martini (which is mainly characterised by the presence of gin and vermouth) both in terms of its recipe as well as presentation. The Chocolatini instead, serves as a broad term encompassing any vodka-based drink with chocolate flavours, served, of course, in a martini glass.
According to legend, the inception of the original Chocolatini can be attributed to the unexpected yet happy collaboration between Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in 1955 during the filming of Giant. It is during this cinematic rendezvous that they introduced chocolate syrup and chocolate liqueur into a vodka martini cocktail, giving birth to this timeless classic. The Chocolatini, a contemporary spin on an iconic drink, thus incorporated chocolate liqueur into the concoction and used chocolate syrup to spruce up the glass.
The central component that makes a Chocolatini is the chocolate liqueur. Crème de cacao, available in both clear (white) and dark versions, is a luscious liqueur infused with the essence of cocoa beans. Its historical roots extend to the 1600s, and it is believed to be one of the earliest alcoholic concoctions. Crème de cacao boasts a rich and enduring legacy. It originates from the indigenous recipes of French monks who skillfully crafted it from cocoa beans that arrived in Europe from South America sometime around the 16th century.
Not only in the Chocolatini, but the liqueur is the crowning ingredient in many popular cocktails like the Brandy Alexander, the Grasshopper or even the famous Mudslide.
The addition of Irish Cream into the drink is crucial. For the perfect milky texture, most mixologists recommend Baileys’. The liqueur not only adds a luscious glaze to the drink, but also has a dense body that lends a silky smoothness to the Chocolatini. The bittersweet undertone of the Baileys Irish Cream, with a hint of coffee flavour, serves as a perfect contrast to the rich chocolate. While the marriage of chocolate and alcohol isn't groundbreaking, the Chocolatini brought a fresh twist, presenting a sophisticated blend that was both visually appealing and delicious. Made equally famous by the intricate glass decorations, the Chocolatini is a complete package. With each serving, modern mixologists devise new methods of sprucing up the martini glass with ingredients like chocolate syrup, grated chocolate, brown sugar, chocolate shavings and cocoa powder. Vanilla vodka is a preferred choice while making the Chocolatini, and understandably so, since it acts as the perfect catalyst between alcohol and chocolate.
Ingredients
Method
Pour all the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well to combine.
Double strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with chocolate shavings.
