Ingredients
- 1 oz Melon Liqueur
- 2 oz Gin
Instructions
Mix the Drink:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1 oz melon liqueur and 2 oz gin.
Shake:
- Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
Serve:
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail or martini glass.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
This drink isn’t going to show up in any pre-Prohibition cocktail books. The Martian Martini is a modern bar creation, likely a playful nod to the bright green color provided by melon liqueur, evoking something alien or otherworldly. It’s a product of the late 20th or early 21st century, when colorful, sweet ‘Martinis’ became popular.
While it uses a martini glass, this drink shares little with the classic gin and vermouth Martini. It’s more accurately categorized with other contemporary, sweet-and-sour-ish ‘Martinis’ like the Appletini or the French Martini. It stands apart due to its distinct melon flavor and vibrant hue.
You’d typically find or serve a Martian Martini at a casual bar, a themed party, or as a fun offering at a home bar. It’s a good choice when the goal is a visually appealing, sweet cocktail rather than a spirit-forward, complex sipper.
What it tastes like
The flavor profile of the Martian Martini is dominated by sweet, ripe melon from the liqueur, hitting the palate immediately. The gin’s botanical notes, primarily juniper, attempt to assert themselves in the mid-palate, offering a slight counterpoint. The finish is largely sweet melon, with a faint, dry echo of gin.
Clocking in at roughly 34% ABV, this is a fairly potent cocktail. That’s about seven times stronger than a standard 5% beer, and significantly more boozy than many classic cocktails which often sit around 20-25% ABV. Don’t let the sweet melon fool you, this drink packs a punch.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward. Combine your gin and melon liqueur in a cocktail shaker filled generously with ice. Give it a good, hard shake until the shaker is frosty cold to the touch. This ensures proper chilling and dilution. Finally, strain the well-chilled mixture into a pre-chilled cocktail or martini glass.
The single most important technique here is a proper hard shake. You’re trying to chill and dilute the drink thoroughly, and also aerate the mixture. A weak shake leaves it lukewarm and thin, and the ingredients won’t fully integrate, making for a less pleasant sip. Don’t be shy with the ice or the shaking.
Drink Buddy Exclusive
Tell us what's in your cabinet.
Our Cocktail Builder takes whatever bottles you've got and hands you every drink you can actually make tonight.
Open the Builder →Get the Drink Buddy newsletter
One drink, one tip, one Tuesday a month.
Plus the recipes we drop before they hit the site. Zero spam.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Melon Liqueur
- Use
- Midori is the industry standard for melon liqueur, delivering consistent flavor and that signature vibrant green color. Bols Melon also works well. Aim for a product around 20-23% ABV.
- Skip
- Do not try to substitute with melon juice or a different fruit liqueur. The specific sweet, syrupy consistency and intense green color of melon liqueur are fundamental to this drink’s identity.
- Why
- Melon liqueur is the defining ingredient, providing both the dominant flavor and the striking green hue that gives the Martian Martini its namesake visual appeal. Without it, it’s a different drink.
Gin
- Use
- A solid London Dry gin like Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Bombay Sapphire provides a reliable botanical backbone without overpowering the melon. A slightly softer, contemporary gin could also work.
- Skip
- Avoid overly floral or intensely juniper-forward gins that might clash too much with the melon’s sweetness. Also, skip any cheap, harsh gins; they’ll only make the drink taste unbalanced.
- Why
- Gin provides the spirit base and a crucial botanical counterpoint to the sweetness of the melon liqueur. It gives the drink its structure and alcoholic kick, preventing it from being purely a sugary concoction.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Cosmic Martian
- A hint of citrus for brightness.
- Add 0.5 oz of fresh lime or lemon juice to the shaker. This cuts through some of the sweetness and adds a tart, refreshing edge.
Spiced Martian
- A touch of warmth.
- Introduce a tiny dash, about a bar spoon, of ginger liqueur or a very thin slice of fresh ginger to the shaker. It adds a subtle, warming spice that complements the melon.
Martian Fizz
- Lighten it up with bubbles.
- After straining the shaken mixture into your glass, top it off with a splash of soda water or lemon-lime soda. This adds effervescence and lengthens the drink.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
You could try another green liqueur like green apple liqueur, but the distinct melon flavor will be lost. The color will be similar.
Vodka is a common substitute; it will result in a ‘Melon Vodka Martini.’ You’ll lose the botanical complexity of the gin, making it a simpler, sweeter drink.
You can stir the ingredients with ice in any tall glass for about 30 seconds until well chilled, then strain. It won’t be quite as aerated or cold, but it will work.
A coupe glass works perfectly. Alternatively, a small wine glass or even a rocks glass with a large ice cube will suffice in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Martian Martini?
A Martian Martini typically contains melon liqueur and gin, shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail or martini glass.
Is the Martian Martini strong?
Yes, at roughly 34% ABV, the Martian Martini is a fairly strong cocktail, significantly more potent than a standard beer or many other mixed drinks.
What does a Martian Martini taste like?
It tastes predominantly sweet and fruity from the melon liqueur, with subtle botanical notes from the gin trying to balance the sweetness. It’s a very approachable, easy-drinking flavor.
What kind of gin should I use for a Martian Martini?
A standard London Dry gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray works well. Avoid overly complex or floral gins that might clash with the melon flavor.
Can I make a non-alcoholic Martian Martini?
Yes, you can substitute melon syrup for the liqueur and use a non-alcoholic gin alternative. Just shake with ice and strain.
Why is it called Martian Martini?
The name likely comes from the drink’s vibrant, alien-like green color provided by the melon liqueur, suggesting something ‘otherworldly.’
Is a Martian Martini a true Martini?
No, it is not a true Martini. It only shares the glassware with the classic gin and vermouth Martini. Its flavor profile and ingredients are entirely different.
What food pairs well with a Martian Martini?
Its sweetness makes it suitable for pairing with light desserts, fruit platters, or perhaps some spicy appetizers that can cut through the sugary notes.
More Like This
More drinks in the same family when the night calls for them.
