Easy Frozen Martini Cocktail Recipe

The Martini, a combination of gin, vermouth, and sometimes orange bitters, is one of the world’s most famous cocktails. It’s also one of the most personal cocktails, with endless customization options — and we don’t just mean gin or vodka. 

There are hundreds of gins and vodkas on the market, but there are also lots of vermouths and other aromatized wines and aperitifs that make a fine drink. Some people like their cocktail extra-dry (featuring very little vermouth), while others prefer a more equitable ratio, all the way up to a 50/50 Martini, which features equal parts spirit and vermouth. You add bitters for an additional pop of citrus and complexity. And then there’s the garnish. A lemon twist or green olives are the standard bearers, but again, it’s all up to personal preference.

One thing everyone can agree on: It’s easier to pour out a pre-made batch of ice-cold Martinis than it is to mix each one to order. Enter the Freezer Martini.

“Batching a bottle of Freezer Martinis for you and your guests is a great idea, as it takes the prep out of the party, providing an easy, perfect pour in the moment,” says Charlotte Voisey, veteran bartender and executive director of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. She adds that, while a Martini connoisseur might know exactly how they like their drink, not everyone does, so finding a great recipe and making it in a large batch takes the pressure off the host and the guest.

Of course, you don’t need to be hosting a party to enjoy the benefits of a Freezer Martini. “If you are making them just for yourself, then you have a perfectly made bottle, ready to sip through one Martini at a time,” says Voisey.

Why the Frozen Martini works

Not all cocktails are good candidates for the freezer. A classic Martini works so well because it doesn’t contain juice, sugar, dairy, or other ingredients that might oxidize or separate. As a result, your batched Martini will taste basically the same on day one as on day 14. It’s also relatively high in alcohol, so it features a silky texture but avoids turning into slush. 

When making Freezer Martinis, Voisey explains that it’s important to add water straight into the batch. This accounts for the dilution you’d typically get from stirring the cocktail with ice. She recommends a half ounce of water per serving.

Voisey often reaches for Hendrick’s gin and Cocchi Rosato vermouth, a flavorful and floral duo. For a more classic example of the cocktail, you can’t go wrong with your favorite gin and dry vermouth, plus a touch of orange bitters to bring it all together. The only remaining task is to apply a garnish to each serving, but you can also prep those ahead of time by peeling and trimming lemon peels. That means more time enjoying the drinks with your guests, and less time playing bartender.