This Salted Caramel Martini is a creamy, dessert-inspired cocktail with sweet caramel and a hint of sea salt. Quick, easy, and perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in.
With the holiday season here, I love sharing new cocktails for every festive gathering! From Bailey's Peppermint Martini to Eggnog Mudslide, White Chocolate Peppermint Martinis, and this Creamy Salted Caramel Martini, there's a drink for everyone. I first tried this at a friend's Christmas party and had to recreate it at home – creamier, perfectly balanced and easy to batch for a crowd. Quick, festive, and irresistible!
Quick Look: Salted Caramel Martini Recipe
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 1 minute
- 🥄 Shake Time: 2 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 3 minutes
- 🥂 Servings: 1 martini
- 🔢 Calories: 325 calories (may vary)
- 🍸 Flavor Profile: Creamy, smooth, and sweet with a hint of sea salt – like dessert in a glass!
- ✅ Difficulty: Easy
- 🍬 Garnish Ideas: Caramel drizzle, coarse sea salt, caramel candy, or mini candy cane
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dessert in a glass: Sweet, creamy, with just the right touch of salt
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 3 minutes, perfect for parties or date nights
- Perfect holiday cocktail: Great for Christmas, New Year's, or cozy evenings
- Customizable: Make it boozy, non-alcoholic, or dairy-free with simple swaps.
Love Salted Caramel? Also try my Salted Caramel White Russian!
Ingredient Notes
Here's what you'll need to make this caramel vodka martini. See the printable card below for exact amounts.
- RumChata– Creamy liqueur with Caribbean rum, cream, cinnamon, and vanilla – this gives the martini its rich, smooth base just like in my White Christmas Cocktail.
- Caramel Vodka– Any brand works! You can even make your own by adding soft caramel candies to a bottle of vodka for a few days.
- Caramel Syrup– Use salted caramel syrup for the perfect sweet-and-salty balance. If using regular caramel syrup, you can add a light sea salt rim for contrast.
- Sea Salt– Optional, but delicious – especially for that signature salted rim!
Variations
Once you've mastered the classic Salted Caramel Martini, try one of these fun twists!
- Espresso Salted Caramel Martini: Add 1 oz espresso or coffee liqueur for a cozy after-dinner drink.
- Chocolate Caramel Martini: Mix in 1 oz crème de cacao for a rich, dessert-style cocktail.
- Dairy-Free Version: Swap RumChata for oat cream and a splash of caramel syrup.
- Mocktail Version: Use caramel coffee syrup, cream, and milk instead of alcohol.
- Caramel Apple Martini: Add 1 oz apple cider and garnish with a thin apple slice.
- Low-Sugar Option: Choose sugar-free caramel syrup and skip the rim drizzle.
How to Make a Salted Caramel Martini (Step-by-Step)
Step 1. Add caramel syrup to one saucer and sea salt to another. Dip the rim into the caramel, then into the salt. PRO TIP: Drizzle extra caramel syrup inside your martini glass for a pretty swirl.
Step 2. In a cocktail shaker, combine ice and caramel vodka.
Step 3. Pour in the RumChata. Shake well until chilled.
Step 4. Strain into the prepared glass and enjoy your creamy cocktail!
Tips for the Perfect Dessert Martini
- Use caramel syrup, not sauce, for easier drizzling.
- If using salted caramel syrup, skip the added salt; with regular caramel syrup, a salted rim is delicious!
- For a fun cocktail bar idea, set up a mini martini station with caramel vodka, RumChata, sea salt, and candy canes so guests can mix their own festive drinks.
- Freeze or chill glasses 10 minutes before rimming to prevent dripping.
Serving Ideas & Storage
- For parties, batch in a pitcher and stir before serving.
- This Salted Caramel Martini pairs perfectly with Christmas Cookies like my Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies or Bacardi Rum Cake.
- With standard vodka (70 proof) and RumChata (35 proof), it's about 16% ABV (32 proof) – smooth, creamy, and easy to sip!
Salted Caramel Martini Recipe FAQs
Try a caramel drizzle, coarse sea salt, caramel candy, or even a mini candy cane for a festive touch.
Yes! Swap in Baileys or Irish cream for a similar creamy flavor, or use heavy cream with caramel syrup for a non-alcoholic twist.
Caramel vodka gives the richest flavor, but vanilla or whipped cream vodka also work great if you can't find caramel vodka.
Add 6-8 soft caramel candies to a small bottle of vodka and let sit 2-3 days, shaking occasionally until dissolved. Perfect for your next Salted Caramel Martini recipe!
More Holiday Cocktail Recipes
Whether you're hosting a Christmas party, ringing in the New Year, or just relaxing by the fire after a long day – this Salted Caramel Martini holiday cocktail is a holiday must-try. Sweet, creamy, and oh-so-easy to make, it's the perfect dessert in a glass.
Did you love this holiday cocktail recipe? If you make this recipe and love it, stop back, give it a 5-star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment.
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Salted Caramel Martini Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz Caramel Vodka
- 2 oz RumChata
- Caramel Syrup
- Coarse Salt
Instructions
- Rim martini glass with caramel syrup and coarse salt (optional).
- Drizzle caramel syrup inside the glass if desired.
- Shake caramel vodka and RumChata with ice until chilled.
- Strain into prepared glass and serve.
Notes
- Use caramel syrup, not sauce, for easier drizzling.
- Omit extra salt if using salted caramel syrup.
- Freeze glasses before rimming to prevent dripping.
- Batch for parties by mixing in a pitcher and stirring before serving.
Nutrition
Kristin H. says
Creamy and delicious!!
Rose Dymond says
What about adding a small candy cane to the glass ? For both flavor and a festive look??
Kristin says
That’s a great idea!! I love candy canes, so that would be a wonderful addition!!
Renae says
A “martini” is made with vodka or gin and dry vermouth. How is it a martini if you omit a key “martini” ingredient?
Kristin says
This has vodka in it, its just flavored vodka!
Jan says
How do you make your Carmel syrup
Kristin says
I typically buy the caramel syrup that is sold near the chocolate syrup. I haven’t made mine in years, but once I do, I will post that recipe to the blog and link it in this recipe!
KM says
Super easy to make and absolutely smooth & delicious!!! When I make it again I plan on chilling both the vodka and Rumchata beforehand.
Kristin says
Yea! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Christine @ myblissfulmess says
This drink is super easy to make and it’s SO delicious! This makes a wonderful dessert drink for fall and winter. This would also be great for a “Girls Night In”.
I noticed someone said (I know two years ago) that this recipe is shockingly similar to the on on Tipsy Bartender, and wanted to know who made it first? Well tipsy bartender is using your photos, so I’d say they got the recipe from right here.
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed this and I love the idea of making this for a Girls Night In! Good thinking!!
Michele says
How many Calories ?
Kristin says
60 calories per serving
Jenni says
While incredibly delicious, it is most definitely not 60 cal per serving. In your recipe itself it states that one martini is over 300 cal.
Kristin says
Very true! Yes, each martini is about 300 calories!
Ann G. says
Martinis can be a bit strong for me so I turned this into a cocktail by adding a splash of half and half to it. Then you can have more than one!😁
Kristin says
Oooo I like your thinking! Sounds just as tasty and TWO?? Yes please!!!
Sam says
Shockingly similar to “Tipsy Bartender’s” recipe.
Who made it first?
Kristin says
Good question, I am not sure! I received the recipe from a friend at a dinner party. He made us these and we loved them!
Shirley says
Salted?
Kristin says
Good catch, thanks! Sorry I forgot the “salted” step, haha! I have corrected recipe! Thanks again!!