Ingredients
- Lemon wedge and crushed pistachios for rim
- 1½ ounces pistachio liqueur
- 1 ounce vodka
- ½ ounce limoncello
- Ice
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
To prepare rim, rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the crushed pistachios on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the pistachios to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, pistachio liqueur, vodka, and the limoncello.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lemon slice.
Variations and Substitutions
No standard pistachio martini recipe exists, which means you can make it as rich and creamy or simple as crisp as you like with just a few substitutions.
- Use vanilla vodka for a sweeter taste.
- Add a few drops of cardamom, cherry, cranberry, lemon, orange, or peach bitters for another layer of flavor without adding sweetness.
- A creamy pistachio liqueur makes for a richer, dessert-style pistachio martini.
- Instead of limoncello, use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a crisper flavor.
- Skip the limoncello in favor of white chocolate cream liqueur for a truly luscious taste.
- Include a splash of simple syrup for a sweeter drink.
- Opt for silver or coconut rum instead of vodka as the base spirit. Limoncello can still be used but consider orange liqueur too.
- Include a splash of half-and-half to any variation to up the level of creaminess.
Garnishes
There's no traditional garnish for the pistachio martini, so long as the garnish complements the spirits, you're free to play and experiment with different choices.
- Use less or skip the rim if you don't want a crunchy sip.
- A lemon twist, peel, or coin gives a pop of color and subtle citrus touch.
- If you use orange liqueur, emphasize the orange flavors and include an orange in the garnish, be it a wheel, wedge, or slice or peel, twist, or coin.
- Dehydrated citrus wheels add a darker, unique look to the pistachio martini, especially in combination with the rim.
- Whipped cream, with or without crushed pistachios sprinkled on top, makes for an elegant look.
- A rosemary sprig gives an herbaceous flair.
About the Pistachio Martini
Although martini in spirit and name only, it's still a spirit-forward libation that should be respected. The key ingredients, pistachio liqueur or pistachio cream liqueur, mold the pistachio martini far better than any combination of available ingredients, no matter how clever, however, it's doable.
The pistachio liqueur is a careful blend of ingredients, crafted in small batches, with other Italian ingredients and spirits. It's smooth and flavorful enough to be enjoyed on its own, either neat or on the rocks. But does exceptionally well with other spirits, as seen in the pistachio martini. The cream liqueur carries similar flavors and care in its creation, but with a creamy profile at its heart. No less flavorful than the regular liqueur, it's enjoyable in its own right but makes for an even richer pistachio martini.
Go Nuts for the Pistachio Martini
While this may seem an unusual flavor for a martini, there's no difference between using almond liqueurs, hazelnut liqueurs, and pistachio liqueurs aside from the availability or even knowing that it exists. Skip the other liqueurs in favor of trying a new drink, the pistachio martini will quickly earn a place in your heart.
