17 Elegant Martini Recipes to Bring Out Your Inner 007

The classic martini was made as a gin cocktail, but you can substitute for vodka if preferred.

Shaken or stirred? Vodka or gin? We see merits in both methods of chilling and believe each person must make the vodka-or-gin decision on his or her own. A shaken cocktail will be a bit cloudier and is likely to get colder faster; a stirred cocktail will maintain its crystal-clear complexion free of foam and bits of ice.

Make the perfectly pickled pearl onions to accompany this martini with this recipe: Pickled Pearl Onions.  Make these up to a week ahead, and toss them in your favorite martini for a savory, salty kick. Enjoy these up to a month in the refrigerator.

This delicious chocolate martini gets its German chocolate flavor from a blend of Godiva Original Liqueur, Captain Morgan Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, and Smirfnoff Black Cherry vodka.  Garnish with chocolate shavings for extra presentation points.  

This sweet-tart, chilled lemon martini is perfect served on warm summer evenings.

Tamarind, a common ingredient in Indian, Thai, and Mexican cuisines, adds an acidic, slightly tart flavor to food. The pulp is sold in cakes at ethnic markets and some large supermarkets. Use a fork or your hands to break up the paste and separate it from the seeds before straining. If you make these martinis ahead, be sure to shake the drink in a martini shaker or stir it with the crushed ice just before serving.

This luxurious chocolate martini is both creamy cocktail and sweet dessert.

We dare you-- look at this cocktail and try not to fall in love. Raise a glass and toast friends and family this holiday season.

Re-invent a favorite flavor of the holiday season into a tasty Gingerbread Martini. Carry the flavor even further by dipping martini glasses in ginger liqueur and crushed gingersnaps.

Serve this ruby sipper in miniature, sugar rimmed martini glasses... try orange and yellow sugar sprinkles for a festive flair!

This easy chocolate martini only requires two ingredients: Godiva Original Liqueur and Cîroc Vodka. Stir together and enjoy!

This savory martini will help you celebrate summer flavor all season long.  Simply muddle fresh basil with crushed ice, then add more ice, vodka, and vermouth.  For the blue cheese tomato garnish, stuff a grape tomato with a little blue cheese and place in each glass.  

This sweet, cocktail-inspired take on eggnog highlights traditional spiked eggnog's flavor, all while adding hints of ginger and not being too thick. Choose whichever brand or variation of eggnog works for your crowd. You can make these ahead of time as well, and then rim the glasses and store them in the freezer or fridge. Stir together eggnog, vodka, and ginger liqueur in a pitcher and store until it's time to serve. Then, stir again before serving.

This pineapple juice vodka martini has a surprise addition--the Greek liqueur ouzo. The results? A shaken, not stirred Ouzotini!

Transform your favorite libation into a martini. A splash of ginger ale adds a welcome bite of fizz.

This classic gin-based cocktail develops a smooth, deep flavor after being aged in an oak barrel for 3 weeks.

A sweet (but not cloying) precursor to the martini, this cocktail dates back to the 1880s. At Alfred's Steakhouse in San Francisco, the bar manager, Aaron Paul, scales up the booze and chills it ahead of time, so it's simpler to serve a crowd. For just 1 cocktail, use 2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. vermouth, 1/4 oz. maraschino, and 2 dashes bitters.