Cocktail of the Week/Bailey's Chocolate Martini

Baileys Irish Cream is a liqueur, made by Gilbey's of Ireland, that contains Irish whiskey and cream. It has 34 proof, or 17 percent alcohol. Baileys was introduced to the market in 1974 as the first liqueur of its kind; it is difficult to combine cream with whiskey and maintain stability between the two liquids. Baileys isn't low calorie at all, clocking in at around 145 calories per 1.5 ounce serving. It is commonly combined with coffee, but it is also used in many delicious cocktail recipes. Aside from the original Baileys Irish Creme, you can also try versions with a hint of mint, caramel, chocolate or coffee.

While you can make a basic Baileys vodka Martini by combining one ounce of vodka with one and a half ounces of Baileys, shaking with ice and straining into a martini glass, why not take it a step further to create a delicious chocolate concoction?

To add a subtle chocolate flavor without changing the basic recipe, use Baileys with a hint of chocolate in place of the original version. If you only have original Baileys on hand, shake it with a chocolate infused vodka, or try vanilla vodka with a half ounce of chocolate liqueur. You can also drizzle some chocolate syrup in the glass before you pour your cocktail, or garnish it with a chocolate stick or flakes for an extra chocolatey concoction.

Mixing Tips

To make a chocolate Martini with Bailey's that suits your tastes, try these suggestions:

• Experiment with the proportions of Baileys and vodka. Don't worry about following exact recipes, but rather eyeball amounts to discover what works for you.
• To save calories, use sugar-free chocolate syrup or garnish with unsweetened cocoa powder instead of syrup.
• Try a frozen Baileys chocolate Martini recipe by combining the ingredients in a blender with ice. Chill the Martini glass beforehand for the best results
• For a stronger cocktail, stir the vodka, Baileys and chocolate syrup or liqueur rather than shaking them with ice.
• Using dark chocolate syrup provides a more bitter and less sweet taste than using milk chocolate syrup.

Variations

Once you've mastered the Baileys chocolate Martini recipe, try one of these variations:

• Baileys Mint Chocolate Martini - Use Baileys with a hint of mint, and garnish the drink with fresh mint sprigs.
• Baileys Chocolate Coffee Martini - Add a splash of Kahlua to give your cocktail a caffeinated kick.
• Baileys Caramel Chocolate Martini - Shake Baileys with a hint of caramel with vodka, and add a swirl of caramel syrup in the bottom of the glass.
• Baileys Chocolate Raspberry Martini - Add half an ounce of raspberry liqueur to the classic recipe.
• Baileys Orange Chocolate Martini - Add a splash of triple sec or fancier Grand Marnier for a subtle, fruity flavor.
• Baileys White Chocolate Martini - Add an ounce of creme and half an ounce of white chocolate liqueur and garnish the drink with white chocolate shavings.

---

As you can see, mixing the perfect Baileys chocolate Martini is really a matter of suiting your own taste. Try the different versions listed here, but don't be afraid to branch out and experiment on your own. You never know where you'll find that ideal flavor.