I didn’t realize how infatuated I would become with porn star martinis until I was tasked to make a perfect one in the Delish Test Kitchen. Now, I’m officially OBSESSED. While I’m always happy to enjoy a martini, every time I have one of these, it makes me wanna… let’s just say, have another one. 😉 If you’re unfamiliar with this provocatively named cocktail, it’s made up of vanilla vodka, simple syrup, tart passion fruit (purée and liqueur), and bubbly Prosecco. It’s a summertime mood in a glass, and is ideal for when you’re hot, sweaty, and thirsty. It was our the drink of the summer 2024, but I’ll still be enjoying them for many summers to come, and you should too—here’s why:
What Is A Porn Star Martini?
You may be asking—how did the name porn star martini come about? Well, it has nothing to do with porn and instead was invented by a London bartender named Douglas Ankrah after a trip to a strip club in South Africa in 2002. Originally, Ankrah called it the Maverick Martini—after a club in South Africa—but later renamed it the “Porn Star” because of all the passion fruit in it, according to Bols Vodka. Considering the fruit is often noted as an aphrodisiac, the adult-movie reference seemed spot-on: Both could get you in the mood, if that’s what you’re into. His invention also perfectly encapsulates the sweet ‘tini trend of the time, and immediately skyrocketed in popularity in the U.K. and beyond.
How To Make A Porn Star Martini
INGREDIENTS
• Vanilla Vodka: If you’re looking to achieve this drink’s unique subtly sweet, vanilla-tart flavor, you’re going to want to seek out vanilla vodka. Once you’ve got some on hand, you’ll be able to use it for many other recipes, like our Key lime pie martinis, our strawberry shortcake mimosas, and our Prosecco punch. If you really can’t find (or don’t want to buy) vanilla vodka, use vanilla simple syrup to add that subtle marshmallow-y flavor instead.
• Passion Fruit Purée: There are many options out there, from professional pastry chef level to more accessible varieties. As long as whatever you can find is 100% purée and not juice, you’ll be okay. Just keep in mind to avoid any purées with seeds (no one wants those in your drink!). My favorite brand is the Goya because of its authentic flavor and easy attainability.
• Passion Fruit Liqueur: This is the perfect way to add more sweetness and passion fruit flavor without compromising the booziness or drinkability of this drink. My go-to brand is Passoã, but whatever you can find works.
• Fresh Lime Juice: Hot take: Fresh lime juice isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Because of the different kinds of limes and the season you’re buying them in, they can be varying levels of juicy and dry, and can be a pain sometimes. So I say to think of it like this: If you’re making just a couple of drinks, go for the fresh, but if you’re making a batch, give yourself a break and use a good quality bottle of lime juice instead. Major emphasis here on good. My go-to brand is Santa Cruz fresh lime juice, but any one that doesn’t have any added sugar will do good.
• Simple Syrup: This will give your drink some much needed sweetness to balance out the alcohol and the tartness from the passion fruit. Feel free to use store-bought or make your own simple syrup at home (it’s super easy!).
• Fresh Passion Fruit: Listen up: Don’t even try to find out-of-season passion fruit to garnish your drink; it really isn’t worth the hassle of going around everywhere to find it (as someone who trekked all over Manhattan to find it, you can really trust me on this). Does it look absolutely stunning on the drink? Yes, nobody can deny that. But get creative! Use berries, or maybe another tropical fruit. Whatever you do, don’t skip the garnish, for porn’s sake. It’s part of what makes this drink sexy!
• Prosecco: As always, buy a Prosecco that you can drink with pleasure but that isn’t absurdly expensive. There is no need for you to pay the big bucks for a bubbly that is just a sidecar for this drink. And please do not buy Champagne! I mean, you can buy it and drink it while you’re making this martini, but that’s up to you, sweetheart.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Your first step is to make sure your purée is defrosted and ready to use (tip: Put it into your fridge the night before you’re planning to make these!). Next, in a cocktail shaker full of ice add the vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit purée, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.
Cover with the lid and shake vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds (now’s your time to go full Tom Cruise in Cocktail). When your hands start to feel very, almost painfully cold, that’s when you’ll know it’s ready. This is key to creating a perfectly cold drink and that beautiful froth we’re looking for in this cocktail.
Pour the drink into the coupe or martini glass of your choice, garnish with half a fresh passion fruit, and serve with a shot of Prosecco alongside (or, poured into your drink—choose your own adventure here).
The full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.
Recipe Tips
• How to serve the Prosecco shot. Traditionally, Prosecco is served in a shot glass alongside this martini. People take this chaser in different ways, but for the most classic experience, it’s supposed to be sipped on before your martini to cleanse the palate. Do you not have a shot glass? Do you not trust the person to pour in the shot glass because they might be already too drunk? Just skip it and add it directly into the drink.
• How to create the frothy top. The key is to shake it very, very well. I’m talking until your hands are freezing cold and you’ve shaken for about 30 seconds. On top of making it look amazing, the froth makes it taste creamier and silkier.
• Porn star martini variations. This drink is already dairy- and everything-free, but if you wanna try something different, try it with different tropical fruit purées like mango, pineapple and even kiwi! See what you like most and keep experimenting with it.
