Black currants pack a lot of flavor into a small fruit. Their flavor is something similar to a combination of raspberries, blackberries, and passionfruit. If you're unfamiliar with currants, think of them as a tart berry, with the currant vodka having a similar profile. With that knowledge in hand, it's easy to see how currant vodka and black currant martinis would be so tasty and alluring.
Black Currant Vodka Martini
A classic black currant martini is made with relatively few ingredients and doesn't take much time or effort to enjoy that decadent first sip.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces currant vodka
- ¼ ounce sherry
- ¼ ounce crème de cassis
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, sherry, and cassis.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Black Currant Lime Martini
Lime juice is a staple for many martini drinks, and the currant vodka relies on the juice to balance out the sweetness.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces currant vodka
- 1½ ounces crème de cassis
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, crème de cassis, lime juice, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Red Currant Lychee Martini
This muddled martini uses the red of the berries to give it a colorful pop and loaded juicy flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces currant vodka
- ½ ounce lychee liqueur
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 8-10 red currants
- Ice
- Red currants for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle lemon juice and red currants.
- Add ice, vodka, and lychee liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with red currants.
Kir Martini
This martini is both visually striking and flavorful, combining two currant flavored ingredients seamlessly, making for a martini you can't help but fall in love with.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces currant vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce crème de cassis
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice and currant vodka.
- Shake or stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Slowly pour crème de cassis, allowing the liqueur to sink to the bottom.
- Garnish with lemon twist.
Jack London Martini
Unlike some of the previous currant vodka creations, the Jack London contains a blanc, similar to the Vesper martini.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces currant vodka
- 1 once Lillet blanc
- 1 ounce maraschino or cherry liqueur
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, Lillet blanc, and liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon twist.
Currant Lemon Drop Martini
A variation on the classic lemon drop, the currant vodka adds a juicier flavor for an unexpected twist.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce currant vodka
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Lemon wedge, sugar, and lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add currant vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Scarlet Martini
Similar to a cosmo, the currant flavors add a little extra tartness and depth to this classic.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces currant vodka
- ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon wheel.
Blackberry Martini
Fruity martinis don't need to be sweet to pack flavor, give this beautiful red one a try.
Ingredients
- ½ ounce currant vodka
- ½ ounce blackberry syrup or blackberry simple syrup
- ½ ounce Lillet blanc
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe or cocktail glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, blackberry syrup, Lillet blanc, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel.
Cherry Crush
The cherry crush is a tasty treat if you want something tart with a hint of sweet or you're looking for an after-dinner drink.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces currant vodka
- ¾ ounce cherry liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, cherry liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cherry.
Coconut Ball
The tropical flavors of this martini make for a strong but flavorful drink.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce currant vodka
- ½ ounce vanilla vodka
- ½ ounce coconut liqueur
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Orange peel and orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, currant vodka, vanilla vodka, and coconut liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with orange peel and orange wheel.
Cocktails Worth Trying
If you're a fan of currants, it's worth diving into the world of black currant vodka and currant martinis. Each has a subtle difference in flavor, and you may find that one or two of these cocktails become your favorites. If currants are new for you, it's still well worth giving this approachable flavor a try. Since black currants mix well with other fruits, you can easily swap this spirit in next time you're shaking something up.
