If you want a cocktail that tastes like a slice of birthday cake, this birthday cake martini is it. It's creamy, sweet, and just boozy enough, and it comes together in one shaker in about five minutes. Add a frosting and sprinkle the rim, and you've basically got dessert in a glass.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click on the links and make a purchase. I will never recommend a product that I don't support 100%.
This post shows you how to make a birthday cake martini, a dessert cocktail made with vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto, shaken and served in a martini glass with a frosting-and-sprinkle rim. It's for anyone who wants a fun, festive drink for a birthday, celebration, or dinner party. The recipe takes about five minutes, uses four ingredients you can find at any liquor store, and includes a big batch version so you can make it ahead for a crowd.
You'll love this birthday cake martini
It's the perfect dessert cocktail. Vanilla, white chocolate, and amaretto come together to taste like actual birthday cake, no baking required.
It's a celebration in a cup. The frosting and sprinkle rim make it feel festive before you even take a sip. This is the drink you want on the table for a birthday dinner.
It's so easy to make. Four ingredients, one shaker, five minutes. You don't need any special bartending skills to pull this off.
Ingredients
Vanilla Vodka. This is the base of the cocktail and where most of the cake flavor comes from. I like Smirnoff or Absolut vanilla, but any vanilla vodka works.
White Chocolate Liqueur. This adds the sweet, creamy flavor that makes this drink taste like frosting. Godiva white chocolate liqueur is my go-to.
Irish Cream. Bailey's or any Irish cream you like adds a smooth, dairy richness that ties the whole drink together.
Amaretto. This adds a subtle almond flavor that rounds out the sweetness and gives the drink more depth than a straight vanilla-and-chocolate combination.
How to make a birthday cake martini
- Rim a chilled martini glass with frosting and dip it in sprinkles. Set it aside.
- Add the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well for about 20 seconds, until the shaker is cold to the touch.
- Strain into your prepared glass and serve.
Tip: Chill your martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes before you rim it. The frosting sets faster, and the drink stays cold longer.
Substitutions and variations
Chocolate Liqueur. If you don't have white chocolate liqueur, regular chocolate liqueur works too. It gives the drink a more classic chocolate cake flavor instead of vanilla frosting.
Cake vodka. Swap the vanilla vodka for a cake-flavored vodka, like Pinnacle Cake, for an even more pronounced cake flavor.
Heavy cream. If you want the drink extra rich and creamy, add a splash of heavy cream on top of the Irish cream.
Non-dairy version. Skip the Irish cream and use a splash of coconut cream or oat milk creamer instead. The drink will be a little less rich but still taste like cake.
Sprinkle vodka. Some brands make a vodka pre-infused with sprinkles. Use it in place of the vanilla vodka for a shortcut version of this drink.
Garnish ideas
- Frosting rim with sprinkles
- A small piece of birthday cake or cake pop on the rim
- A dusting of edible glitter for extra sparkle
How to make a big batch of this birthday cake martini
This recipe scales up beautifully, which makes it perfect for a birthday party. Here's how to make a batch that serves 10.
Big Batch Birthday Cake Martini (Serves 10):
- 15 oz vanilla vodka (about 1 ⅞ cups)
- 10 oz white chocolate liqueur (1 ¼ cups)
- 5 oz Irish cream (⅝ cup)
- 5 oz amaretto (⅝ cup)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours ahead.
- Rim your martini glasses with frosting and sprinkles before your guests arrive.
- When ready to serve, shake each individual portion over ice and strain into a prepared glass.
You can also pour this straight over ice in rocks glasses if you want to skip the shaking step, though shaking each portion gives you that classic frothy martini texture.
FAQs
What is a birthday cake martini?
A birthday cake martini is a dessert cocktail made with vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto, shaken and served up in a martini glass. It's finished with frosting and a sprinkle rim, so it tastes and looks like a slice of birthday cake.
What alcohol is in a birthday cake martini?
This recipe uses vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto. Some versions swap in cake-flavored vodka or skip the amaretto, but this combination gives you the most well-rounded cake flavor.
What is the best vodka for a birthday cake martini?
Any good vanilla vodka works well here, like Smirnoff or Absolut vanilla. If you want an even stronger cake flavor, look for a cake-flavored vodka instead of a plain vanilla one.
Can I make a birthday cake martini without amaretto?
Yes. You can leave the amaretto out and add a little more white chocolate liqueur in its place. The drink will taste a bit sweeter and less nutty, but it still works.
How do you get sprinkles to stick to the rim of a glass?
Dip the rim of your glass in frosting, honey, or corn syrup first, then dip it straight into a plate of sprinkles. The sticky base acts like glue, so the sprinkles stay in place throughout the drink.
Can you make this drink ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto, then refrigerate the batch for up to 24 hours. Shake individual portions over ice right before serving.
Is a birthday cake martini very sweet?
Yes, this is a dessert cocktail, so expect it to be on the sweeter side. If you want it less sweet, cut back slightly on the white chocolate liqueur or add a splash of extra vodka.
Pin it for later!
Want more dessert cocktails??
Birthday Cake Martini
If you want a cocktail that tastes like a slice of birthday cake, this birthday cake martini is it. It's creamy, sweet, and just boozy enough, and it comes together in one shaker in about five minutes. Add a frosting and sprinkle the rim, and you've basically got dessert in a glass.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz vanilla vodka
- 1 oz white chocolate liqueur
- 1 oz Irish cream
- ½ oz amaretto
Instructions
- Rim a chilled martini glass with frosting and dip it in sprinkles. Set it aside.
- Add the vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well for about 20 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch.
- Strain into your prepared glass and serve.
Notes
Substitutions and variations
Chocolate Liqueur. If you don't have white chocolate liqueur, regular chocolate liqueur works too. It gives the drink a more classic chocolate cake flavor instead of vanilla frosting.
Cake vodka. Swap the vanilla vodka for a cake-flavored vodka, like Pinnacle Cake, for an even more pronounced cake flavor.
Heavy cream. If you want the drink extra rich and creamy, add a splash of heavy cream on top of the Irish cream.
Non-dairy version. Skip the Irish cream and use a splash of coconut cream or oat milk creamer instead. The drink will be a little less rich but still taste like cake.
Sprinkle vodka. Some brands make a vodka pre-infused with sprinkles. Use it in place of the vanilla vodka for a shortcut version of this drink.
Garnish ideas
- Frosting rim with sprinkles
- A small piece of birthday cake or cake pop on the rim
- A dusting of edible glitter for extra sparkle
How to make a big batch of this birthday cake martini
This recipe scales up beautifully, which makes it perfect for a birthday party. Here's how to make a batch that serves 10.
Big Batch Birthday Cake Martini (Serves 10):
- 15 oz vanilla vodka (about 1 ⅞ cups)
- 10 oz white chocolate liqueur (1 ¼ cups)
- 5 oz Irish cream (⅝ cup)
- 5 oz amaretto (⅝ cup)
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 24 hours ahead.
- Rim your martini glasses with frosting and sprinkles before your guests arrive.
- When ready to serve, shake each individual portion over ice and strain into a prepared glass.
You can also pour this straight over ice in rocks glasses if you want to skip the shaking step, though shaking each portion gives you that classic frothy martini texture.
FAQs
What is a birthday cake martini?
A birthday cake martini is a dessert cocktail made with vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto, shaken and served up in a martini glass. It's finished with frosting and a sprinkle rim, so it tastes and looks like a slice of birthday cake.
What alcohol is in a birthday cake martini?
This recipe uses vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, and amaretto. Some versions swap in cake-flavored vodka or skip the amaretto, but this combination gives you the most well-rounded cake flavor.
What is the best vodka for a birthday cake martini?
Any good vanilla vodka works well here, like Smirnoff or Absolut vanilla. If you want an even stronger cake flavor, look for a cake-flavored vodka instead of a plain vanilla one.
