Some holiday drinks are meant to be quick sips. Others are meant to be slow, cozy, and a little indulgent. A chocolate eggnog martini definitely falls into the second category.
This is one of those holiday cocktails that feels like dessert in a glass. It’s creamy, rich, and full of warm winter flavor, combining classic eggnog with smooth chocolate and a martini-style finish. If you love eggnog cocktails, chocolate cocktails, or festive Christmas cocktails, this one is hard to beat.
I love serving this drink when I want something that feels special without being complicated. It’s perfect for Christmas dinners, winter parties, or quiet nights when you just want a cozy winter cocktail that feels a little extra.
Why Chocolate and Eggnog Work So Well Together
Eggnog already has that creamy, comforting holiday feel. When you add chocolate, it takes everything up a notch without overpowering the drink.
The chocolate adds depth and balances the sweetness of the eggnog, making the martini feel smoother and more grown-up. Instead of tasting like a sugary treat, it becomes a holiday chocolate cocktail you actually want to sip and enjoy.
If you’ve ever felt like traditional eggnog was too rich on its own, this combination might surprise you. The chocolate helps mellow it out and makes the whole drink feel more balanced.
A Holiday Cocktail That Doubles as Dessert
One of the reasons I love this chocolate eggnog martini is that it easily replaces dessert. You don’t need cake or cookies when you have this in your glass.
It’s rich enough to feel indulgent, but still light enough to enjoy slowly. That makes it a great Christmas dinner cocktail, especially when you want to end the night with something cozy instead of heavy.
This is also a great option if you’re hosting and don’t want to juggle multiple desserts. Serve this instead, and you’re done.
What You’ll Need for a Chocolate Eggnog Martini
You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make this cocktail work. Each one plays a clear role in the final flavor.
Eggnog gives the drink its creamy base and classic holiday spice. Chocolate liqueur brings in that smooth chocolate flavor without making the drink too sweet. Vodka keeps everything clean and balanced, letting the eggnog and chocolate shine.
For garnish, a little grated chocolate, cocoa powder, or even a cinnamon stick adds a nice finishing touch and makes the drink feel festive.
Choosing the Right Eggnog
This is one place where quality matters. I recommend using a full-fat eggnog for the best texture. Low-fat versions just don’t give you the same creamy result.
Homemade eggnog is great if you already have it, but a good store-bought eggnog works perfectly and keeps this cocktail easy during the busy holiday season.
How This Cocktail Comes Together
A chocolate eggnog martini is usually shaken with ice until it’s well chilled, then strained into a cold martini glass. Shaking helps lighten the texture just enough so the drink feels smooth instead of heavy.
As you sip it, you’ll notice how the flavors slowly open up. First you get the chocolate, then the creamy eggnog, followed by warm spice notes that linger just a bit. It’s one of those winter cocktails that gets better as you take your time with it. Because it’s rich, smaller servings work best. One glass is usually all you need to feel satisfied.
Easy Variations to Try
This cocktail is easy to adjust depending on what you love most about holiday drinks.
Dark Chocolate Eggnog Martini
If you prefer less sweetness, use a darker chocolate liqueur or add a small pinch of cocoa powder. It gives the drink a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor.
Peppermint Chocolate Eggnog Martini
Add a splash of peppermint liqueur for a festive twist. This version feels especially Christmassy and works great if you love mint and chocolate together.
Spiced Chocolate Eggnog Martini
A pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon added while shaking brings out even more warmth. This variation is perfect for cold nights and cozy gatherings.
When to Serve a Chocolate Eggnog Martini
This is not an early-evening cocktail. It shines later in the night, when everyone is ready to relax and enjoy something comforting.
It’s especially great for:
- Christmas dinner parties
- Holiday dessert time
- Cozy winter get-togethers
- Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve
- After-dinner holiday cocktails
If you’re building a holiday drink menu, this one works best as the final cocktail of the night.
Chocolate Eggnog Martini
This chocolate eggnog martini is a creamy holiday cocktail made with classic eggnog, chocolate liqueur, and vodka. Rich, smooth, and festive, it works as both a dessert drink and a Christmas cocktail, perfect for holiday parties or cozy winter nights.
Ingredients
- 2 oz eggnog
- 1½ oz chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz vodka
- Ice
- Optional Garnishes
- Grated chocolate or chocolate shavings
- Cocoa powder
- Cinnamon stick or ground nutmeg
Instructions
Add the eggnog, chocolate liqueur, and vodka to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake well until the mixture is fully chilled and slightly frothy.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with grated chocolate, a light dusting of cocoa powder, or a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 martiniAmount Per Serving: Calories: 240Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 31mgCarbohydrates: 22gSugar: 22gProtein: 3g
For a less sweet drink, use dark chocolate liqueur. Full-fat eggnog gives the creamiest texture. This cocktail is best enjoyed fresh and cold.
If You Love This Eggnog Chocolate Martini, You’ll Also Love These Cocktails
If creamy, indulgent cocktails are your thing, you might want to explore a few more drinks with similar vibes. These are perfect for dessert, cozy evenings, or anytime you’re craving something a little extra.
Creamy & Dessert-Style Cocktails
These cocktails are rich, smooth, and perfect if you like chocolate-forward or eggnog-based drinks.
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Eggnog Martini
A classic holiday-style cocktail that’s creamy, smooth, and lightly spiced. If you enjoy the texture of this chocolate martini, this one is a natural next step.
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Eggnog White Russian
A cozy twist on the classic White Russian, made with eggnog instead of cream for a richer, seasonal feel. -
Bourbon Eggnog Affogato Cocktail with Eggnog Ice Cream
Part cocktail, part dessert. This one blends warm coffee flavors with bourbon and eggnog ice cream for a truly decadent treat.
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Peppermint Cocktail (A Delicious Ice Cream Holiday Cocktail)
Creamy and refreshing with a minty finish, this is a great option if you like dessert cocktails that feel playful and indulgent.
Festive & Crowd-Pleasing Cocktails
These drinks are great for entertaining and pair well with dessert-style cocktails like this chocolate martini.
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Snow Globe Cocktail
A visually stunning cocktail that’s as fun to serve as it is to sip. Perfect if you enjoy cocktails that feel special and a little whimsical.
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Cranberry Champagne Punch
Light, bubbly, and easy to make for a group. This is a great contrast to richer cocktails like chocolate martinis.
Cozy Sips for Slower Evenings
If you like cocktails that feel comforting and warming, these are worth bookmarking.
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Classic Lemon Hot Toddy
Simple, soothing, and perfect when you want something warm and calming.
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Hot Buttered Rum
Rich and cozy with warm spices, this is another great option if you enjoy indulgent drinks.
For even more inspiration, be sure to check out my collecion of best winter cocktails, where I share a mix of creamy dessert cocktails, refreshing sips, and cozy drinks you’ll want to make again and again.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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