If you’re on the hunt for a fun, festive cocktail that’s creamy, sweet, and just a little bit indulgent, you’re going to love this Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe. I first stumbled on this gem at a holiday party, and I promise, it’s fan-freaking-tastic. Imagine sipping a martini that tastes like your favorite sugar cookie—vanilla, buttery, with just the right touch of sweetness and boozy warmth. Stick around, and I’ll share everything so you can make this dreamy drink in your own kitchen.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday spirits you can find in any liquor cabinet, plus easy pantry staples.
Balanced Flavors: Vanilla, amaretto, and Irish cream blend perfectly for that sugar cookie vibe without being overly sweet.
Visual Appeal: Rimmed with frosting and sprinkles, it’s a festive treat for parties or cozy nights.
Quick & Easy: Ready in about five minutes, no special tools or hard-to-find ingredients required.

Sugar Cookie Martini, festive cookie martini, holiday cocktail recipes, creamy dessert drinks, easy holiday cocktails - A clear martini glass sits on a white marbled surface, filled with a creamy beige liquid. The rim of the glass is covered in white, green, and red round sprinkles, adding a festive touch. A woman's hand is pouring more of the same creamy drink into the glass from above. In the blurred background, there is another martini glass with the same drink. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe lies in its ingredients—all of which come together to create that nostalgic sugar cookie flavor we love, but in liquid form! When picking ingredients, I have a few tips to help you get the best results and stay comfortable with substitutions if needed.

Sugar Cookie Martini, festive cookie martini, holiday cocktail recipes, creamy dessert drinks, easy holiday cocktails - Flat lay of a small bowl of creamy vanilla frosting, a small bowl of colorful round sprinkles, a small white bowl with whole milk, a small white bowl with Irish cream liqueur, a small white bowl with golden amaretto, a small white bowl with white powdered sugar, a few clear ice cubes, and a whole vanilla bean pod, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vanilla frosting: This coats the rim of your glass to give you sugar cookie sweetness before each sip. I like a creamy, not too sugary frosting for the best balance.
Sprinkles: Adds a fun, colorful crunch; classic rainbow or simple white nonpareils both work great.
Vanilla vodka: The vodka base with vanilla flavoring is essential—it sets the tone for a sweet, smooth cocktail.
Irish cream: Adds creamy richness and a hint of chocolate and coffee that complements the vanilla notes.
Whole milk: Gives the cocktail that luscious, velvety body; you can substitute with cream or a dairy alternative if you want it richer or lighter.
Amaretto: Brings a subtle almond flavor that reminds me of the nuttiness in some sugar cookie recipes.
Powdered sugar: A touch of extra sweetness that dissolves smoothly to enhance the cookie flavor.
Ice: Necessary for chilling and diluting just enough so the drink is refreshing, not too strong.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about the Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe is how adaptable it is. I often tinker with small tweaks depending on my mood or who I’m serving it to. Don’t be afraid to make it your own—after all, cocktails should be fun and tailored to your taste buds.

More Creamy: I sometimes swap whole milk for half-and-half, making it luxuriously rich—perfect for a special treat.
Extra Sweet: Some friends prefer it sweeter, so adding a bit more powdered sugar works wonders; just balance it to avoid cloying.
Dairy-Free: I’ve made this with almond or oat milk when guests avoided dairy, and it still tastes fantastic.
Festive Flavors: During the holidays, I add a splash of peppermint schnapps or sprinkle crushed candy canes on the rim for a winter twist.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Glass with Frosting and Sprinkles

First things first: rim your martini glass with vanilla frosting. I like to spread it evenly around the rim with a small butter knife. Then, pour your sprinkles into a shallow dish and gently dip the frosting-covered rim right into them. This gives you that delightful sugary rim every time you take a sip. Set it aside while you mix the drink.

Step 2: Combine the Liquids and Powdered Sugar

Next, add the vanilla vodka, Irish cream, whole milk, amaretto, a teaspoon of powdered sugar, and a good handful of ice into your cocktail shaker. I prefer shaking with plenty of ice because it chills the drink perfectly and creates a delicate dilution that softens the alcohol bite.

Step 3: Shake It Up and Pour

Seal the shaker tightly and shake for at least 15 seconds. You want the outside to feel cold and frosty. Then, strain your cocktail into the frosted, sprinkle-covered martini glass. Don’t wait too long because this drink is best enjoyed fresh and chilled.

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Pro Tips for Making Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe

Use a Firm Frosting: A slightly thick vanilla frosting sticks best to the glass rim, so it can hold your sprinkles without dripping.
Shake with Purpose: Don’t just give it a halfhearted shake—vigorous shaking cools and blends all those flavors beautifully.
Fresh Sprinkles Every Time: I find sprinkles lose their punch if left out, so always use fresh ones for the best crunch and color.
Don’t Skip the Powdered Sugar: It may seem minor, but the powdered sugar really elevates the sweetness and rounds out the creamy notes perfectly.

How to Serve Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe

Sugar Cookie Martini, festive cookie martini, holiday cocktail recipes, creamy dessert drinks, easy holiday cocktails - The image shows a creamy light tan drink in a clear glass with a wide rim. The rim is decorated with white frosting and small red, green, and white round sprinkles all around it. Inside the drink, there are small round and star-shaped sprinkles in red, green, and white floating on the surface. The glass is placed on a white marbled surface with a soft beige cloth underneath. A round red ornament lies near the bottom of the glass, adding to the festive look. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually stick with the frosting and sprinkles rim because it’s visually fun and tasty, but sometimes I add a small vanilla bean or a cinnamon stick as a stirrer. If I’m feeling fancy, a few mini sugar cookies on the side make the presentation pop and give an extra treat alongside the drink.

Side Dishes

Since this is such a dessert-style cocktail, I like pairing it with light, complementary snacks—think sliced almonds, white chocolate bark, or even a small cheese platter with mild cheeses like Brie or Havarti. A platter of sugar cookies or biscotti works great if you want to double down on the cookie theme.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve served the Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe in clear mini martini glasses lined up on trays garnished with edible glitter or shimmer sugar. I once surprised guests by swirling a little colored syrup inside the glass before pouring the martini for a rainbow effect—so fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I rarely have leftovers because this martini is just too delicious to resist, but if you do, store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a good stir before serving again as the ingredients might separate.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the prepared cocktail since dairy tends to separate when frozen, but you can pre-measure and chill the spirits mixture minus the milk and powdered sugar—then add those fresh when you’re ready to shake and serve.

Reheating

This is a cold cocktail best served chilled, so I don’t recommend reheating. If leftovers have lost their chill, just pop the container in the fridge and shake or stir well before pouring over fresh ice or rimmed glass.

FAQs

Can I make the Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! To make a non-alcoholic version, you can substitute the vodka, Irish cream, and amaretto with non-alcoholic vanilla creamers or flavored syrups. Use a creamy milk base and powdered sugar to keep that sweet flavor. Just shake with ice and serve with the frosting and sprinkles rim for a mocktail vibe.
What’s the best vodka to use for this recipe?

I like to use a good-quality vanilla vodka—it really enhances the sugar cookie flavor. Brands like Smirnoff or Three Olives have affordable vanilla vodkas that mix well. If you don’t have vanilla vodka, regular vodka plus a splash of vanilla extract can work in a pinch.
Can I prepare several sugar cookie martinis ahead of time for a party?

Since this martini is best shaken with fresh ice and served immediately to maintain its creamy texture and chill, I recommend pre-measuring the alcohol mix in a bottle and chilling it in the fridge. When guests arrive, just shake with ice and powdered sugar and serve. You can also prep the glasses with frosting and sprinkles ahead of time.
What if I don’t have amaretto? Can I leave it out?

You can omit amaretto if you don’t have it, but it does add a lovely almond note that really makes the cocktail cookie-like. If omitting, consider adding a few drops of almond extract instead—just a little goes a long way! Otherwise, the martini will still be delicious but slightly less complex.

Final Thoughts

All in all, this Sugar Cookie Martini Recipe is one of my go-to cocktails whenever I want something playful, comforting, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s easy to make but looks and tastes like a special treat, perfect for impressing friends or just indulging yourself. I can’t wait for you to try it—once you sip that creamy vanilla goodness, you’ll be hooked like I am. Cheers to sugar cookie dreams in a glass!