Tonight is the kind of night that calls for something playful, and this Strawberry Sweetheart Martini understood the assignment. I first made a version of this when I was putting together a small at-home Valentine’s spread, and I wanted one drink that felt festive without needing a long list of ingredients. The moment I started smoothing strawberry frosting around the rim, I knew it was going to be a photo-friendly win.

What surprised me was how good it tastes, not just how cute it looks. The whipped vodka keeps it light and smooth, the strawberry cream liqueur brings that creamy berry vibe, and the strawberry puree makes it taste like fresh fruit instead of straight candy. I love this because it’s sweet, but it still feels like a real cocktail, especially when you keep the milk measured and the shake quick.

Why You’ll Love This

A Strawberry Sweetheart Martini is basically a party in a coupe glass. It’s creamy, strawberry-forward, and it has that whipped, dessert-like finish that makes it feel special. Then you add the frosting rim and conversation hearts, and it turns into a full-on theme drink with almost no extra effort.

It’s one of those cocktails that looks amazing in photos
The flavor is creamy and strawberry-forward without tasting heavy
You can prep the rims ahead, so serving is fast
Great for Valentine’s Day and any “cute drink” occasion
Easy to adjust sweetness based on your liqueur and puree
The conversation hearts make it fun for parties and social shares

It’s the kind of drink that gets a reaction before anyone even takes a sip, and that’s always a good sign.

Ingredients

This martini works because it layers strawberry flavor in a few different ways. You get fruit from the puree, creamy strawberry from the liqueur, and a smooth base from whipped vodka and milk. The frosting rim is mostly for looks, but it also adds a sweet hit right at the start of each sip.

Here’s what you need:

2 oz whipped vodka
1.25 oz strawberry cream liqueur
.5 oz strawberry puree
1 oz milk
Whipped strawberry frosting
Conversation hearts

A few notes that make this drink better:

Whipped vodka: This is what gives the martini that soft, dessert-style finish. If you use plain vodka, it will taste sharper.
Strawberry cream liqueur: Brands vary a lot. Some are sweeter and thicker, some are lighter. That’s why tasting your mix before pouring is smart.
Strawberry puree: Homemade puree tastes freshest. If you use store-bought, look for one that tastes like real fruit, not syrup.
Milk: Whole milk gives the best texture. Lower-fat milk works, but it can taste a bit thin. Half-and-half makes it richer, so keep the amount small if you go that route.
Frosting + candy rim: This is the “wow” factor, but it’s also the messiest part, so a little planning helps.

Warning: Frosting and candy can slide if the glass gets wet. Make sure the coupe rim is dry before you start.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

This recipe is flexible, which is helpful because strawberry cream liqueurs are not all the same everywhere. The goal is a smooth, creamy strawberry profile that still lets the vodka come through.

Equipment and Glassware

This drink is simple, but the rim work means you’ll want a clean setup. A coupe glass is the best choice because it looks classic and gives you a wide rim for frosting and candy.

What you’ll need:

Home tip: If you don’t have a coupe glass, a martini glass works too. Just be careful carrying it once the rim is decorated.

How to Make It

This is a quick shake-and-strain martini, but you’ll want to build it in the right order so your rim stays neat. I always do the glass first, then the cocktail second. That way you’re not rushing while the shaker sits.

Rim your coupe glass with strawberry frosting.
Use a knife or small spatula to smooth frosting along the outside rim of the glass. Keep it even, and avoid putting frosting inside the glass where the drink will touch it.
Add the conversation hearts to the frosting rim.
Press the candies gently into the frosting. You don’t need a full ring of candy. A few hearts spaced out looks cleaner and is easier to sip from.
Set the glass aside.
Place it somewhere stable while you mix the cocktail. If your kitchen is warm, you can chill the glass for a minute, but don’t let moisture form on the rim.
Add the whipped vodka, strawberry cream liqueur, strawberry puree, and milk to a shaker.
Add ice and seal the shaker tightly.
Shake for 10 seconds.
A short shake chills and blends without making the drink too foamy or watery.
Double strain into the coupe glass without disturbing the rim.
Use a fine mesh strainer along with your shaker strainer so you catch puree bits and ice chips. Pour carefully to keep the rim neat.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
This drink looks best right away, while it’s cold and smooth.

Common tweak: If you want it less sweet, reduce the frosting rim or cut the strawberry cream liqueur slightly. If you want it richer, use half-and-half instead of milk.

Pro Tips

This drink is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but the little details are what make it look clean and taste balanced. These tips help you avoid frosting mess, candy slips, and overly sweet martinis.

Dry the rim completely before frosting. Any water makes frosting slide.
Do a half frosting rim if you want a cleaner sip and less sweetness.
Press candy hearts in gently, not hard. If you push too much, frosting squeezes out and looks messy.
Use a fine mesh strainer. Double straining gives you the smoothest texture and the nicest pour.
Shake only 10 seconds. A longer shake can thin the drink and make it taste watered down.
Taste your mix before pouring if your strawberry liqueur is new to you. Some bottles are much sweeter than others.
Chill the coupe glass (without getting the rim wet) for a colder drink. You can chill it before decorating, then wipe it dry.
Keep frosting out of the inside rim. That’s the fastest way to make the drink taste overly sweet.

Once you get the basic version down, you can play with the garnish style. Different candy colors and rim patterns make it feel new each time.

Variations

This martini is easy to customize for different vibes, different sweetness levels, or even a mocktail option. The base idea stays the same: strawberry + creamy + cute garnish.

Chocolate Strawberry Sweetheart: Add a small drizzle of chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring.
Strawberries and Cream version: Swap milk for half-and-half and reduce puree slightly for a smoother texture.
Frozen version: Blend the liquid ingredients with a cup of ice for a slushy style drink, then skip the candy rim.
Dairy-free version: Use oat milk and a dairy-free frosting, then keep the shake short and strain well.
Mocktail version: Use a zero-proof vodka alternative or skip the vodka and use strawberry puree + milk + a splash of vanilla syrup. Shake with ice and strain.

If you’re serving a group, the easiest variation is just changing the rim. Half-rim, full rim, or candy-free. Same drink, different look.

When to Serve and Pairings

This is a themed cocktail, so it shines when the event has a reason to be cute. Valentine’s Day is the obvious one, but it also works for Galentine’s, bridal showers, engagement parties, and birthdays. It’s sweet enough to feel like dessert, which makes it great after dinner.

Best times to serve it:

Valentine’s Day date night at home
Galentine’s parties and girls’ night
Bridal showers and bachelorette weekends
Dessert course replacement for small gatherings

Pair it with:

Chocolate-covered strawberries
Shortbread cookies or sugar cookies
Vanilla cupcakes, strawberry cake, or cheesecake bites
A light snack board with fruit and salty nuts (salt helps balance sweetness)
Other pink or creamy cocktails for a themed lineup (like a classic Cosmo, a strawberry margarita, or a dessert martini)

Storage and Serving Notes

This martini is best served right away. Milk-based cocktails change texture as they sit, and the shake chill is part of what makes it taste smooth. The frosting rim also looks best when it’s fresh and dry.

If you want to prep ahead for a party:

Decorate the rims 10 to 20 minutes before guests arrive.
Keep prepared glasses in a cool, dry spot so the frosting holds. Avoid the fridge if it causes condensation.
You can pre-mix the liquid ingredients (vodka, liqueur, puree, milk) in a sealed container and keep it cold for a few hours. Shake with ice right before serving.
Keep conversation hearts dry until you’re ready to use them so they don’t get sticky.

FAQs

This martini is simple, but people usually have questions about sweetness, dairy, and the candy rim. Here are the answers that help the most.

Can I use regular vodka instead of whipped vodka?
Yes, but the drink will taste sharper and less dessert-like. If you only have plain vodka, add a tiny splash of vanilla syrup or use a little more strawberry cream liqueur to soften it.

What’s the best milk to use?
Whole milk gives the best balance of texture and drinkability. Half-and-half makes it richer, but it can feel heavy. If you want dairy-free, oat milk is usually the smoothest.

Do I have to double strain?
It’s not required, but it makes a big difference. Double straining removes puree bits and ice chips, so the drink pours clean and feels smooth.

How do I keep the candy hearts from falling off?
Make sure the rim is dry, use enough frosting to hold the candy, and press gently so they stick without sliding. Also, don’t over-handle the glass once it’s decorated.

Can I make this less sweet?
Yes. Do a half frosting rim, reduce the strawberry cream liqueur slightly, or use less puree if your strawberries are very sweet. A tiny pinch of salt in the shaker can also help balance sweetness.

Can I make a big batch for a party?
You can pre-mix the liquid ingredients and keep them cold. Shake individual servings with ice right before serving so the texture stays smooth and chilled.

More Cocktails to Try

If you liked this Strawberry Sweetheart Martini, you’ll probably enjoy other fun, sweet, and party-friendly cocktails.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini
Raspberry Rosé Float
Dubai Chocolate Martini
Boozy Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate
Pecan Pie Martini