Snickerdoodle Martini

Tonight might be the kind of night where you want something sweet, cozy, and a little over the top in a fun way. That is where this Snickerdoodle Martini comes in. It tastes like a cinnamon sugar cookie turned into one of those dessert cocktails you would normally order at a restaurant and then try to copy at home.

I love this because it feels like a treat from the first step. The maple-and-cinnamon rim hits your nose before you even sip, and that alone sets the mood. Then you get the creamy RumChata base, vanilla vodka, and a little nutty warmth from amaretto. It is rich, but it still goes down smooth. This is a great cocktail for holiday parties, birthdays, girls’ night, or a chill weekend when you want dessert without baking anything.

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Why You’ll Love This

Snickerdoodle cookies are all about cinnamon sugar and that soft, sweet flavor. This martini brings the same idea, but in a creamy cocktail format that feels like dessert in a glass. It is sweet, but you can control it with the milk and the garnish choices, so it does not have to taste like straight candy.

• Dessert-style cocktails at home: It tastes like a cookie-inspired drink you would pay for at a bar.
• Great for sharing: Make a round and watch everyone react to the first sip.
• Fun garnish options: Snickers, cacao bits, caramel drizzle, or all three.
• Big aroma payoff: The cinnamon rim makes it smell amazing before you sip.
• Easy to customize: Adjust sweetness, swap the garnish, or tweak the milk.
• Perfect for colder months: It feels cozy, but it still works year-round.

If you want a creamy martini that leans into cinnamon and vanilla without being complicated, this one is a solid choice.

Ingredients

This recipe works because it layers flavors the same way a snickerdoodle cookie does. You start with creamy sweetness from RumChata and milk, then add vanilla vodka for a clean base, and amaretto for that nutty warmth that makes it feel “baked.” The rim and toppings do the rest, giving you cinnamon sugar vibes and candy-bar crunch.

• 1 oz Milk
• 1.5 oz Rumchata
• 1 oz Amaretto
• 1.5 oz Vanilla Vodka
• Caramel Syrup
• Small Snickers Bar
• Cinnamon
• Maple Syrup
• Cacao Bits

A few ingredient notes that help:

Milk keeps this drink from feeling too heavy. If you use heavy cream, it becomes thicker and more like a milkshake martini. RumChata brings that cinnamon-vanilla creaminess, so it is doing a lot of flavor work. Amaretto is sweet, but it also adds almond notes that make the drink taste more cookie-like. Vanilla vodka keeps everything smooth and ties the flavors together.

Warning: Because this is creamy, serve it right away. It is best cold and fresh.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Since this cocktail is basically a dessert martini, smooth bottles matter. Anything harsh will poke through the sweetness. I usually choose mid-range brands that mix well and taste clean, then I let the rim and garnish make it look fancy.

• Vanilla vodka: Absolut Vanilia, Smirnoff Vanilla, or Stoli Vanil are all easy to find and work well in creamy cocktails.
• Amaretto: Disaronno is the classic. It has a strong almond flavor that fits this drink perfectly.
• RumChata: Stick with RumChata for the signature creamy cinnamon profile.
• Milk swap: Use half and half for a richer drink, or oat milk for a lighter, dairy-free feel. Oat milk tends to blend smoothly and still tastes creamy.
• Maple syrup swap for the rim: Honey thinned with a tiny splash of warm water works, or caramel syrup if you want a sweeter rim.
• Snickers swap: Any small chocolate bar works. Think Milky Way, Twix, or even a mini peanut butter cup if you want more nut flavor.

If you want the drink less sweet, cut the amaretto to ¾ oz and keep the rest the same. That one change can make a big difference.

Equipment and Glassware

You do not need a lot of tools, but you do need a shaker. This drink tastes best when it is very cold, and shaking is what gives it that smooth, creamy texture.

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Martini Glass
• Cocktail pick

Tip: Chill your martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes if you can. A cold glass helps the cocktail stay thick and creamy longer, especially if you are serving it at a party.

How to Make It

This is a pretty easy martini, but it has a few steps because of the rim and garnish. I like to prep the glass first, then shake, then finish with toppings. If you are making more than one, rim all the glasses before you start shaking so you can pour quickly.

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
   You want plenty of ice here, since the drink should be extra cold.
2. Add the liquors and milk.
   Pour into the shaker:
   • 1.5 oz RumChata
   • 1 oz amaretto
   • 1.5 oz vanilla vodka
   • 1 oz milk
3. Shake for at least 30 seconds.
   This is longer than most cocktails, but it is worth it. The goal is very cold, fully blended, and smooth.
4. Prepare the rim.
   Pour a small amount of maple syrup on a plate. On a second plate, spread cinnamon.
5. Rim the martini glass.
   Dip the rim into maple syrup, then dip it into cinnamon until coated. Set the glass down carefully.
6. Strain into the glass.
   Strain the cocktail into your prepared martini glass. Pour slowly so you do not mess up the rim.
7. Add the garnish and toppings.
   Cut a small Snickers bar in half, place both pieces on a cocktail pick, and set it across the rim. Sprinkle a few cacao bits on top. Add caramel syrup if you want.

Common tweaks are easy here. If you want it sweeter, add a caramel drizzle. If you want it less sweet, reduce the amaretto a bit and skip the caramel.

Pro Tips

These little moves make the drink taste better, look cleaner, and stay creamy longer. Dessert cocktails are all about texture, so small details matter.

• Chill the glass first: A cold martini glass keeps the cocktail thick and cold longer.
• Shake longer: 30 seconds helps everything blend and come out smooth.
• Use fresh ice: Old freezer ice can taste like the freezer. Fresh ice keeps flavors clean.
• Go light on the rim coating: Too much maple syrup can drip and turn sticky fast.
• Strain carefully: A slow pour keeps the rim neat and photo-ready.
• Add toppings last: Cacao bits and caramel look best right before serving.
• Balance sweetness: If it is too sweet, cut the amaretto slightly or use half and half instead of milk for a richer, less sugary feel.
• Serve right away: Creamy cocktails are best freshly shaken and cold.

Once you find your favorite sweetness level, try changing just one garnish at a time. That keeps it fun without losing the snickerdoodle vibe.

Variations

You can take this base recipe and push it in different directions depending on the season or your crowd. The core flavors are cinnamon, vanilla, and cream, so most dessert-style add-ons work well.

• Cinnamon sugar rim version: Swap the plain cinnamon rim for a cinnamon-sugar mix to make it more cookie-like.
• Chocolate snickerdoodle: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring.
• Caramel cookie version: Use caramel syrup on the rim instead of maple and add a caramel drizzle on top.
• Stronger martini: Reduce milk to ½ oz for a more liquor-forward drink.
• No-alcohol version: Mix milk with a splash of cinnamon syrup and vanilla extract, then top with cacao bits and a caramel drizzle. Rim the glass the same way for the full effect.

If you are serving a crowd, offer two garnish options like Snickers and chocolate shavings so guests can pick their favorite.

When to Serve and Pairings

This Snickerdoodle Martini is built for nights when dessert is the main event. It also works for holidays because cinnamon and vanilla always feel right when it is cold outside. It is a great “final drink” for a dinner party since it can double as dessert.

Best times to serve it:

• After dinner dessert cocktail
• Holiday parties
• Birthday celebrations
• Girls’ night
• Cozy weekends at home

Pair it with:

• Sugar cookies or snickerdoodles
• Chocolate brownies
• Cheesecake
• Salted pretzels for a sweet-salty bite
• Fresh strawberries for something lighter on the side

For internal links on mybartender.com, this is a great spot to link to other RumChata cocktails, dessert martinis, White Russians, and cookie-inspired cocktails.

Storage and Serving Notes

This is not a cocktail you want to store for later. Since it has dairy and cream liqueur, it tastes best freshly shaken and served cold. If it sits too long, the texture gets thinner and the toppings can sink.

If you want to prep for a party:

• Measure the RumChata, amaretto, vanilla vodka, and milk into a sealed container.
• Store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
• Shake each drink with ice right before serving.

Serving notes:

• This recipe makes one martini.
• For a batch of 6, multiply the liquid ingredients by 6, then shake in batches.
• Rim the glasses ahead of time, but keep them chilled so the rim stays neat.

Tip: Garnish each glass right before serving so the Snickers stays firm and the cacao bits look fresh.

FAQs

Dessert martinis always bring questions, especially when people see the rim and candy garnish. Here are the answers that help most.

Can I use cream instead of milk?
Yes. Heavy cream makes it richer and thicker. Half and half is a good middle option. If you use heavy cream, consider skipping caramel drizzle so it does not get too sweet.

Can I make this without amaretto?
You can, but it will lose some of that cookie-like warmth. If you skip amaretto, add a tiny splash of almond extract to the shaker, but go very light since it is strong.

What if I do not have maple syrup for the rim?
Honey works well if you thin it with a tiny splash of warm water. Caramel syrup also works, but it makes the rim sweeter.

How do I keep the rim from dripping?
Use a thin coat of maple syrup, then let the glass sit for a minute before pouring. Also, avoid overloading the rim with syrup.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, you can try oat milk, which blends smoothly. RumChata is cream-based, so it will not be fully dairy-free unless you use a dairy-free cinnamon cream liqueur alternative.

Is this cocktail very sweet?
It can be, especially with caramel drizzle and candy garnish. If you want it less sweet, skip the caramel and reduce amaretto to ¾ oz.

More Cocktails to Try

If you liked this Snickerdoodle Martini, you will probably enjoy other creamy dessert cocktails that lean into cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, or chocolate. Here are a few great next picks.

• Easter Sugar Cookie Martini
• Pumpkin Rum Milkshake
• Gingerbread Simple Syrup
• Piloncillo Simple Syrup
• Cinnamon Amaretto Sour