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Sometimes you just need a drink that looks like a daydream. This Cloud Nine Martini is exactly that; a frothy, pastel blue cocktail that tastes like a creamy vanilla milkshake with a kick. Max took one look at the frosty glass and the pile of white chocolate "snow" on top and asked if he could have a sip of the "sky juice." Don't worry, we made him a non-alcoholic blue milk version so we could clink glasses!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Cloud Nine Martini
- How To Make Cloud Nine Martini
- What Pairs Well With Cloud Nine Martini
- Cloud Nine Martini Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Cloud Nine Martini
- Cloud Nine Martini Frequently Asked Questions
- A Dreamy Nightcap
- Related
- Cloud Nine Martini
Why You Will Love This Cloud Nine Martini
You will love this recipe because it is pure escapism in a glass. It isn't just a drink; it's a dessert experience. The texture is incredibly velvety thanks to the heavy cream and white chocolate liqueur, while the splash of vanilla vodka keeps it smooth. It hits that sweet spot between a sophisticated cocktail and a fun, whimsical treat. Plus, that dreamy baby blue color is a guaranteed conversation starter at any party.
How To Make Cloud Nine Martini
This cocktail comes together in under 5 minutes with a simple shake-and-strain method. The secret to the "cloud" look is shaking the heavy cream vigorously with the ice—it aerates the dairy, creating a frothy layer that sits beautifully on top. We use just a hint of Blue Curaçao to get that soft sky-blue hue without overpowering the delicate white chocolate flavor.
Cloud Nine Martini Ingredients
The Boozy Base
- 2 oz vanilla vodka (chilled)
- 1 oz white chocolate liqueur (like Godiva or Mozart)
- ½ oz Blue Curaçao (adjust slightly for color depth)
The Creamy Cloud
- 1 oz heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- Ice cubes (plenty for shaking)
The Garnish
- 1 block of high-quality white chocolate
- Optional: A rim of sugar or coconut flakes
Step by Step Method
Chill the Glass
- Place your martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes. A frosty glass is essential for this drink to keep it crisp and "cloud-like."
Prep the Garnish
- While the glass chills, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to shave the white chocolate block into curls or rough shavings. You want a generous pile to float on top.
Mix the Spirits
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and Blue Curaçao.
Add the Cream & Shake
- Pour in the heavy cream and fill the shaker halfway with ice.
- Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds. You want to hear the ice breaking up; this creates the froth and ensures the drink is ice-cold.
Strain and Serve
- Strain the mixture into your chilled martini glass.
- It should pour out a beautiful, opaque pastel blue.
Top it Off
- Gently pile the white chocolate shavings in the center of the drink. They should float on the frothy surface like little clouds.
MAX’S REACTION
"It looks like the sky tasted like candy! Mom made me one with blue Gatorade and Sprite and cream, and it was awesome. I felt like I was drinking a potion from a video game."
What Pairs Well With Cloud Nine Martini
Since this is a very sweet, dessert-forward cocktail, it pairs best with simple treats that won't compete with the flavor. A plate of buttery shortbread cookies or plain vanilla macarons works beautifully. If you want to lean into the chocolate theme, a square of salted caramel chocolate helps cut through the sweetness of the drink.
Cloud Nine Martini Variations
The Cotton Candy Cloud
Instead of white chocolate shavings, place a small tuft of white cotton candy on top of the glass. When you serve it, push the candy into the drink and watch it dissolve instantly!
Coconut Dream
Swap the vanilla vodka for coconut rum and use coconut cream instead of dairy cream. It gives it a tropical, piña colada vibe while keeping the blue color.
Frozen Cloud 9
Add all the ingredients to a blender with a cup of ice. Blend until smooth for a frozen slushie version that is perfect for hot summer days.
Minty Sky
Add a splash of Crème de Menthe (white) for a mint-chocolate flavor profile that tastes like a winter wonderland.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring glass
- Martini glass
- Strainer
- Vegetable peeler (for chocolate shavings)
- Mom Tip: If you don't have a shaker, a mason jar with a tight lid works perfectly fine. Just shake it hard!
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Make Ahead
You can mix the vodka, liqueur, and Blue Curaçao in a pitcher ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Do not add the cream or ice until you are ready to serve, or the cream might separate.
Temperature Key
This drink must be served ice cold. If the ingredients are warm, the texture feels heavy rather than fluffy. Always use a frozen glass if possible.
Blue Control
Blue Curaçao is very potent in color. Start with a little less than the recipe calls for if you want a very pale, baby blue. Add drops to darken it.
Top Tips for Best Cloud Nine Martini
To get the look exactly like the image, don't skip the white chocolate shavings. They add a texture contrast that makes the drink feel fancy. Also, use heavy whipping cream rather than milk; milk is too thin and won't give you that opaque, creamy look that makes the blue color pop against the white chocolate.
Cloud Nine Martini Frequently Asked Questions
Does it taste like orange?
Even though Blue Curaçao is orange-flavored, the vanilla vodka and white chocolate liqueur mask it. The drink tastes mostly like creamy vanilla and white chocolate.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes! You can use a sweetened oat creamer or canned coconut milk. Just make sure it is thick enough to give the drink body.
Is this drink very strong?
It is a "dessert martini," so while it tastes sweet and goes down easy, it is almost entirely alcohol. It packs a punch, so sip slowly!
Why did my cream curdle?
This rarely happens with vodka, but if you add acidic ingredients (like lime juice) to this mix, it will curdle. Stick to the sweet ingredients listed!
A Dreamy Nightcap
This Cloud Nine Martini has become my favorite way to end a dinner party or just treat myself after a long week. It’s whimsical, beautiful, and tastes like a hug in a glass. If you are looking for more cozy and fun drinks to try, you have to check out our rich French Hot Chocolate Recipe, the fun and messy Dirty Snowman Recipe, or the classic minty Grasshopper Cocktail Recipe.
Share your Cloud Nine Martini! Tag us @HannahCooking with #CloudNineMartini — we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Cloud Nine Martini recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
Related
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Cloud Nine Martini
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail shaker (Standard size)
- 1 Martini glass (Chilled)
- 1 Vegetable peeler (For chocolate curls)
- 1 Jigger (Measuring tool)
Ingredients
- 2 oz vanilla vodka - Chilled
- 1 oz white chocolate liqueur - Or white crème de cacao
- ½ oz Blue Curaçao - For color
- 1 oz heavy cream - For creaminess
- white chocolate - Shaved for garnish
- ice cubes - For shaking
Instructions
- Place martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill.
- Use a vegetable peeler to create white chocolate shavings from the block.
- Add vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Blue Curaçao, and cream to a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 20 seconds until frothy and ice-cold.
- Strain into the chilled glass and top with chocolate shavings.
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