Sugar Cookie Martini

Nothing sparkles more this holiday season than a sugar cookie martini. And yes, it really does taste like a sugar cookie! With a frosted rim that's coated in sprinkles, this festive martini recipe is the perfect sipper beside a cracking fire. It makes a stellar Christmas cocktail or New Year's Eve dessert. (Don't miss pairing it with a batch of freshly baked cookies!)

What kind of alcohol is in a sugar cookie martini?

This cocktail calls for a few different spirits. It has vanilla vodka, but you can substitute regular vodka and one teaspoon of vanilla extract if that's what you have on hand. There's also butterscotch schnapps which adds an irresistibly buttery note to the drink. Creme de cacao, white chocolate liquor, or amaretto can be used in its place. Finally, for extra creaminess, this martini has Irish cream liqueur. Reach for a bottle of Bailey's or make your own Irish cream.

Do I need to use half-and-half in a sugar cookie martini?

This recipe calls for half-and-half which makes for a balanced, perfectly creamy cocktail. For a less creamy martini, you can use whole milk instead. On the flip side, heavy cream in place of half-and-half makes the cocktail thicker and frothier. Want to go all out? Try using melted ice cream for a sweeter, even creamier martini. This cocktail can be as light or as indulgent as you want!

How do you decorate the rim of the glass for a sugar cookie martini?

Start by whisking up a thick icing from powdered sugar and a little bit of half-and-half. The icing should be thick so that it sits on the rim of the glass without running down the sides. If you have leftover buttercream icing from decorating a Christmas cake, spread a little bit on the rim before dredging it in the plate of sprinkles. This cocktail is not overly sweet, so having a sweetened rim balances the drink.

Can you make a batch of sugar cookie martinis?

Yes, as long as you have a cocktail shaker large enough! If you'd like to make a batch, consider combining the ingredients in a separate pitcher or container ahead of time and refrigerating. Then you can just shake 'em up on demand.