Trick or Treat? Dark Chocolate Martini

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Perhaps you might be lured in by this simplest of chi-chi martini’s, all dressed up in chocolate. You’d take a sip expecting some sugary concoction with dark cocoa undertones. You’d soon realize that you’ve been tricked. There is no Godiva liquor here. This cocktail is like the temptation of smelling vanilla extract and even though you know it won’t be, expecting something sweet when you dab a little to your tongue. Or, maybe you have a childhood memory of finding your mother’s unsweetened baking chocolate, and excitedly popping a whole square in your mouth, only to wonder what could possibly have happened to make chocolate taste so bad?


Still, this dark chocolate martini is quite a treat for the true dark chocolate lovers out there… those that prize the pure bitter essence of chocolate over it’s semi-sweet or milky cousins. It’s chocolate on the savory side, more like a slightly bitter walnut than a candy bar. As you sip, if you are like me, you find yourself intrigued rather than put off by the flavor. And once your expectations are reset, you start to savor each mouthful.

To make the infused vodka, you need a glass container with a good lid and some cocoa nibs. Nibs are crunched up pieces of roasted cocoa beans. Cocoa nibs can be hard to find, but if you live in Seattle, I highly recommend swinging by the Theo store for a small box (a little go a long way). If you aren’t from here, first check with a local chocolate shop… and then try a specialty grocery like Whole Foods, or order them online. Simply put a handful of nibs in the glass container and fill with vodka. Close it up, and let it sit for two or three days in the refrigerator before using. Give it a shake once a day or so. The liquid should turn a beautiful dark caramely color of brown.

Also published by me on Well Fed Network’s Spirit World.

Dark Chocolate Martini
1 part cocoa-nib infused vodka, chilled
1 part regular vodka, chilled
a tiny splash of fresh lemon or mandarin juice (optional)
unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa (for rim)
sugar (for rim)

On a flat plate, mix together about 1T of sugar and 1T dark chocolate cocoa. Slightly wet the rim of a martini glass, and dip into the sugar cocoa mixture. Then, pour in the regular vodka followed by the infused vodka, and your citrus splash if using. If your vodka isn’t cold, shake with ice first, and strain into the glass.

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0 thoughts on “Trick or Treat? Dark Chocolate Martini

  1. This is such a beautiful looking drink and I love how you infused the vodka with cacao! Great idea. On the topic of cacao nibs – have you ever heard of ‘sweetriot’? They are a company based in NYC and they make delicious dark chocolate covered cacao nibs which come in cool little tins – you can find them at most Whole Foods. A really yummy treat!

  2. This photo really shows off your beautiful new format. Not sure that I’ll try the drink, but it’s tempting the way you’ve photographed and described it. Thanks for such a beautiful, thoughtful blog.

  3. LOL – I had to laugh at your introductory paragraphs… When I was little my half-sister used to send my parents a tray of chocolate truffles from France each year. They were exquisitely packaged in a wooden box, filled with Denoix liqueur and rolled in cocoa powder. My parents used to ooh and aah about them so much that one day I snuck one out of the box to see what the fuss was about. Oh dear!! Nasty surprise does not begin to cover it! Although I’m sure that if I were to taste one I’d be in raptures… 😉

    Absolutely *gorgeous* pictures, as always.

  4. Hi Nicole – Thanks! And, yeah, this is definitely not the drink for everyone. If you like sipping straight cold vodka, it’s worth a try. But if you don’t, you’d probably want to skip it.

    Thank you anita!

    Geneve – I haven’t, but they sound wonderful. Do they have a shop in NYC (I’m just here visitng now).

    Elle – Thank you!

    Ellie – Thanks!

    Shaz – Thanks, and thank you for adding me to your blog roll too!

    Brilynn – Thanks!

    Jeanne – Ha! Funny story. and Thanks!

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