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If you love citrus-forward cocktails with a creamy twist, the clementine martini is about to become your new go-to. This bright, smooth drink combines the freshness of clementine juice with the subtle richness of whipped vodka, plus a splash of triple sec to bring it all together. Whether you’re entertaining or just treating yourself, this drink feels elegant without being fussy. Served ice-cold in a martini glass, it’s vibrant, easy to sip, and perfect for citrus lovers who like a little flair.
The clementine martini is light, citrusy and smooth with a hint of creaminess. This fresh cocktail is easy to shake up and looks beautiful with simple garnishes.
Also try a rum White Claw slushie, lemon lavender drop martini or a strawberry gin rickey cocktail.
Why You’ll Love It
Fresh citrus flavor: Real clementine juice brings natural sweetness and brightness (and helps top up your Vitamin C levels!)
Creamy twist: Whipped vodka adds a smooth, mellow base without the need to add cream.
Visually impressive: Garnishes like citrus wheels or edible flowers add wow-factor.
Easy to make: Just juice, shake, pour, and serve.
Great for parties: Scales easily for a batch cocktail.
Clementine Martini Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Clementine juice: Freshly squeezed juice adds brightness and sweet citrus flavor.
Vodka: Whipped cream-flavored vodka provides a smooth, slightly sweet twist to the summer cocktail.
Triple sec: Orange liqueur that deepens the citrus profile and adds balance.
Clementine wheel: Optional garnish for extra color and freshness. You can prep these ahead if you like.
Edible flowers: An optional garnish that makes your cocktail look beautiful and elegant.
How to Make a Clementine Creamsicle Martini
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Add ingredients to shaker: Fill the shaker halfway with ice and add juice, vodka and triple sec.
Shake well: Secure the lid and shake until the drink is well chilled.
Strain and pour: Pour into a martini glass, add a clementine wheel or edible flower, if using, and serve.
Substitutions and Variations
Use orange juice: If clementines are out of season, fresh orange juice is a good stand-in.
Swap vodka flavors: Vanilla vodka works well in place of whipped cream-flavored vodka. If you don’t have whipped vodka and want the creamy flavor, you might like to use plain vodka and add some cream liqueur such as RumChata or Irish Cream.
Make it boozy: Add a splash of orange bitters or limoncello for extra punch.
Non-alcoholic version: Use citrus sparkling water and a dash of cream soda for a mocktail.
Serving Suggestions
With savory snacks: Enjoy a clementine martini (or two!) with savory bites such as party nuts or boiled peanuts or steak and shiitake bruschetta.
With something sweet: Orange bars, million dollar pie or orange biscotti would pair well with this vodka cream martini.
How to Store Clementine Martinis
Store: Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You’ll need to stir or shake it before serving, as the ingredients tend to separate over time. Don’t add the ice until you’re ready to serve.
Freeze: This summer cocktail is best served fresh or chilled, so I don’t recommend freezing it.
Top Tips
Use fresh juice: Bottled juice won’t give the same bright, sweet flavor.
Chill your glass: Pop your martini glass in the freezer beforehand for the best presentation.
Shake long enough: Make sure your shaker feels frosty to the touch before pouring.
Garnish just before serving: So the garnish looks fresh and vibrant.
Clementine Vodka Martini FAQs
This is completely up to you. You can include the pulp from the citrus if you want to, or strain it if not with a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve. You can always substitute readymade juice from the grocery store instead of juicing your own fruit.
Yes, just keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a day or 2 and then shake it well before serving. I’d prepare it without the ice and then either shake it with ice before serving or serve it chilled from the refrigerator if that’s cold enough for you. If you’re looking for another way to cool down this summer, consider homemade ice cream too.
It’s an orange liqueur which comes from France. This liqueur is rarely drunk neat as a shot but it’s a popular additive to various cocktail recipes and it’s also an ingredient in flambéed pancakes. Cointreau can be used instead or you could try Grand Marnier or orange curacao. If you have some Triple Sec left over, try this lemon drop martini recipe next!
Clementines are brighter than oranges and smaller. They have a smooth skin and a sweeter flavor than oranges. Oranges are a pomelo-mandarin hybrid while clementines are a mandarin-orange hybrid. Tangerines are similar to clementines but clementines are sweeter. You can use orange, tangerine or clementine juice in this clementine martini. They all taste pretty similar.
Clementine Creamsicle Martini Recipe
Clementine Martini
Equipment
- Martini Glass
Ingredients
- 3 Ounces clementine juice, freshly squeezed from 3 to 4 small clementines
- 3 Ounces vodka, whipped cream-flavored such as Smirnoff Whipped Cream Vodka
- 2 Ounces triple sec, such as DeKuyper Triple Sec
- ice, as needed
Optional Garnishes
- clementine wheel
- edible flowers
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Add the clementine juice, whipped cream-flavored vodka and triple sec.
- Secure shaker lid and shake until well chilled (20 to 30 seconds).
- Pour chilled cocktail into an 8-ounce martini glass.
- Garnish with a clementine wheel and/or edible flowers, if liked.
Notes
Chill your glass: Pop your martini glass in the freezer beforehand for the best presentation.
Shake long enough: Make sure your shaker feels frosty to the touch before pouring.
Garnish just before serving: So the garnish looks fresh and vibrant.
Nutrition
This clementine martini is as bright and charming as it is easy to make. With just a few ingredients and no complicated steps, it’s the kind of cocktail you can enjoy with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Fresh clementine juice brings a natural sweetness, while whipped vodka and triple sec round things out for a smooth, balanced drink. Whether it’s cocktail hour or a special brunch, this martini adds a bit of sunshine to any moment.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
This would be perfect for summer backyard parties. So good!
My mouth is literally watering reading about this. yummy!