Ingredients
- 3 oz Strawberry Vodka
- .5 oz Dry Vermouth
- .25 tsp Maraschino Liqueur
Instructions
Shake Ingredients:
- Add 3 oz strawberry vodka, .5 oz dry vermouth, and .25 tsp maraschino liqueur to a cocktail shaker filled with cracked ice.
Strain into Glass:
- Shake well and strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Babyface Martini doesn’t claim a long, storied past or a specific inventor. It’s a modern bar creation, likely a product of the late 1990s or early 2000s. During that era, flavored vodkas exploded in popularity, inspiring bartenders to craft new martini variations that catered to a wider range of tastes, moving beyond the traditional gin and vermouth.
This drink fits squarely into the vodka martini family, sitting alongside its cousins like the Cosmopolitan or the French Martini. What sets the Babyface Martini apart is its specific reliance on strawberry vodka for its primary flavor. While a Cosmo leans citrus and cranberry, and a French Martini brings in pineapple, the Babyface keeps it focused on that sweet, ripe berry note, with dry vermouth offering a subtle counterpoint.
You’d typically find a Babyface Martini in a contemporary cocktail lounge, a swanky bar, or on a date night menu. It’s a drink designed for enjoyment in a relaxed, social setting, not necessarily a dive bar or a high-volume club. It’s a good opener for an evening or a pleasant after-dinner treat.
What it tastes like
The first sip of a Babyface Martini delivers a clear, sweet burst of strawberry, bright and inviting. This quickly gives way to the more complex, slightly herbaceous notes of dry vermouth, which cuts through some of the initial sweetness. The maraschino liqueur offers a subtle, nutty cherry undertone that lingers on the finish, ensuring the drink remains balanced and sophisticated rather than just a sugary fruit bomb.
Clocking in at roughly 32-33% ABV, the Babyface Martini is a strong drink. To put that in perspective, it’s about two and a half times the alcohol content of a standard 12 ounce beer. This places it firmly in the category of a spirit-forward cocktail, similar in strength to a well-made Old Fashioned or a classic Negroni. Sip it, don’t chug it.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Grab your shaker, fill it with a good amount of ice, then pour in the strawberry vodka, dry vermouth, and a precise measure of maraschino liqueur. Seal it up tight and give it a hard, quick shake until the shaker is frosty cold. Then, simply double strain the contents into a pre-chilled cocktail glass. No garnish is strictly necessary, but a fresh strawberry or a lemon twist works well if you’re feeling fancy.
The one technique tip that truly matters for this drink is the hard shake. Because it’s a vodka-based drink with a sweet component, it benefits immensely from proper aeration and dilution. A solid 15-20 second vigorous shake ensures everything is perfectly chilled, slightly aerated, and has the right amount of water incorporated. Skimp on the shake, and you’ll end up with a lukewarm, flat drink that lacks that crisp, inviting texture.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Strawberry Vodka
- Use
- Opt for a quality flavored vodka like Smirnoff Strawberry, Absolut Strawberry, or Svedka Strawberry. The better the base vodka, the smoother your drink will be. Aim for something around 35-40% ABV.
- Skip
- Avoid strawberry schnapps or syrupy strawberry liqueurs as a direct substitute for the vodka. These are too sweet and lack the alcoholic backbone, turning your martini into a cloying dessert drink.
- Why
- This is the hero ingredient, providing the primary flavor and the alcoholic foundation. Its quality directly dictates the overall character of the Babyface Martini.
Dry Vermouth
- Use
- Reach for a good quality, fresh dry vermouth such as Dolin Dry, Noilly Prat, or Martini & Rossi Extra Dry. Remember to store vermouth in the fridge once opened to maintain its flavor.
- Skip
- Do not use sweet vermouth. It will completely alter the flavor profile, making the drink overly sweet and muddy, losing the delicate balance the dry vermouth provides.
- Why
- Dry vermouth is crucial for adding an aromatic, herbaceous complexity and a touch of dryness that prevents the drink from becoming a one-note strawberry soda. It’s the balance point.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Raspberry Kiss
- A berry swap for a different sweet-tart profile.
- Substitute strawberry vodka with raspberry vodka for a slightly tarter, equally fruity martini. A fresh raspberry garnish completes the look.
Cherry Blossom Babyface
- Emphasizing the maraschino’s cherry notes.
- Increase the maraschino liqueur to .5 oz and consider a dash of cherry bitters for a deeper, more pronounced cherry flavor alongside the strawberry. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
Sparkling Babyface
- Add some fizz for a lighter feel.
- Prepare the drink as usual, but after straining, top with 1-2 oz of chilled brut sparkling wine or club soda. Serve in a coupe glass.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use plain vodka and muddle 2-3 fresh strawberries in the shaker before adding other ingredients and ice. Strain carefully.
A tiny splash of dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc) can offer a similar acidic and dry counterpoint, but it won’t have the same herbal complexity.
A small dash of cherry liqueur or even a tiny amount of simple syrup with a drop of almond extract can mimic some of its unique notes, though it won’t be identical.
A clean jar with a tight-fitting lid will work in a pinch. Just be sure it’s sealed well before shaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Babyface Martini?
The Babyface Martini contains strawberry vodka, dry vermouth, and a small amount of maraschino liqueur.
Is the Babyface Martini sweet?
Yes, it’s a sweet drink, primarily from the strawberry vodka. However, the dry vermouth provides a balancing herbal and dry note, preventing it from being overly saccharine.
What kind of glass for a Babyface Martini?
A chilled cocktail glass, also known as a martini glass, is the traditional and best choice for serving a Babyface Martini.
Do I shake or stir a Babyface Martini?
You shake a Babyface Martini. The fruit liqueur and vodka benefit from the aeration and chilling that shaking provides.
Can I make a batch of Babyface Martinis?
You can pre-batch the liquid ingredients (strawberry vodka, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur) and store them chilled. When ready to serve, shake individual portions with ice and strain.
What’s a good garnish for a Babyface Martini?
A fresh strawberry sliced and placed on the rim, or a lemon twist, are both excellent garnishes that complement the drink’s flavors.
Is Babyface Martini a strong drink?
Yes, at around 32-33% ABV, the Babyface Martini is a strong, spirit-forward cocktail. It’s significantly more potent than a typical beer or glass of wine.
What’s the difference between this and a regular martini?
A regular martini is typically made with gin or unflavored vodka and dry vermouth, sometimes with an olive or lemon twist. The Babyface Martini uses strawberry vodka as its base, giving it a distinct fruity profile.
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