A Bourbon Martini is a delicious drink, as smoky bourbon works really well with the sweet vermouth. I like to add Angostura bitters to add a touch of spice, and some sour mix to balance out the sweet flavors in this cocktail. The result is a refreshing, sour, yet sweet and smoky cocktail that any bourbon lover will enjoy. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.
This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.
Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
recipe card at the bottom of the post.
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.
I love bourbon and am a huge fan of making cocktails at home, so it made sense that I would make a martini with bourbon as the star ingredient.
A classic martini contains gin and dry vermouth. However, for this recipe, I used bourbon instead of gin, sweet vermouth rather than dry, and added a bit of sweet and sour mix to balance out the flavors.
Making a Bourbon Martini at home could not be any simpler. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker over ice, give it a shake, and strain it into your glass of choice. You have the perfect cocktail serving for one in a few minutes.
However, with this easy bourbon martini recipe, feel free to double up the recipe, or even make it in a pitcher if you are serving a larger crowd of friends.
If you enjoy a cocktail when the sun is out, try my Hennessy Sidecar, Classic Margarita, Paloma Cocktail, Jamaican Rum Punch, Fruity Martini, or Jamaican Guinness Punch recipes.
Bourbon Martini Cocktail Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to make a Classic Bourbon Martini cocktail:
- Bourbon – use your favorite bourbon, I like Woodford Reserve.
- Vermouth – For a bourbon martini use a sweet vermouth, rather than dry.
- Bitters – a dash of Angostura bitters adds a balance of spice to the cocktail.
- Sour mix – I use my homemade Sweet & Sour Mix.
- Ice – you will need ice for shaking the cocktails in the cocktail shaker.
- Garnish – I like to add cocktail cherries for garnish; this is entirely optional.
How to Make a Martini with Bourbon
In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and sour mix.
Fill your shaker halfway with ice, secure its lid tightly, and vigorously shake for about 10-15 seconds until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed and chilled.
Strain the mixture from your shaker into a martini glass, making sure any stray pieces of ice don’t escape!
Garnish with cocktail cherries if desired. Enjoy.
Expert Tips
These tips will help you make the best Bourbon Martini recipe you’ve ever tried.
- If you don’t have a shaker, you can simply combine all of the ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir until well combined.
- This cocktail is best served immediately, but it can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, add the ice and stir well.
- Don’t add the ice cubes until you are ready to serve; otherwise, you risk them melting and diluting the cocktail.
- Serving more people, no problem. Increase the recipe and prepare in a large jug rather than a cocktail shaker.
Flavor variations
- The ratio of ingredients in a bourbon martini can vary depending on personal preference, but a common recipe is two parts bourbon to one part sweet vermouth. You can also use the Angostura bitters and sour mix to balance out the flavors.
- Garnish the drink with a twist of orange zest.
- The flavor of bourbon works really well with coffee; try adding an ounce of coffee liqueur.
FAQs
They are very similar drinks, prepared in the same way. A traditional martini uses gin and dry vermouth, whereas a Manhattan or Bourbon Martini, uses bourbon and sweet vermouth.
Bourbon is a distilled American whiskey made with corn. It goes well with a variety of different mixers, including cola, ginger beer, water, or soda. It also makes a mean cocktail.
If you have tried this Bourbon Martini recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Bourbon Martini
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon I used Woodford Reserve
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1/2 oz sour mix
- ice for cocktail shaker
- cocktail cherries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine bourbon, sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and sour mix.
- Fill your shaker halfway with ice, secure its lid tightly, and vigorously shake for about 20 seconds until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed and chilled.
- Strain the mixture from your shaker into a martini glass, making sure any stray pieces of ice don't escape!
- Garnish with cocktail cherries if desired. Enjoy.