Easter Martini with Hot Cross Bun Flavours

Full of sweet raisin, cinnamon and nutmeg flavours this Hot Cross Bun Easter Martini is your favourite springtime treat in cocktail form. It’s easy to make and perfect to share with friends over the extended weekend. The infused vodka recipe at the heart of this Easter cocktail can be made well in advance and stored for a long time.

For a creamier seasonal tipple try my advocaat Easter cocktail – it’s a glorious pastel yellow.

Oh, how organised I’m feeling. Smug you might say. And all because I’ve actually got around to getting this Hot Cross Bun inspired Easter martini out in good time for Easter.

I’m particularly pleased that I’ve got this sneaky cocktail ready for you to enjoy since the vodka needs to infuse with raisins and spice for a week or so before you can make this libation.

I won’t be breaking new ground by reminding you that the traditional hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bread bun made with currants or raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and gobbled up on Good Friday.

I created an infused vodka recipe to enable these flavours to shine through in this cocktail for Easter. And since UK supermarkets are awash with variations on the classic hot cross bun, I’ve taken a few liberties. I’ve added a dash of apple juice and a twist of lemon to create my Hot Cross Bun Easter Martini.

The result is an off-dry cocktail that is fruity, sweetly spiced and faintly zesty. Although it is perfect for Easter, I’ve been enjoying it throughout the entire year for the last 3 years.

Try it with a hot cross bun or other traditional dried fruit bakes such as Eccles cakese, currant buns or fruit loaf.

How to make the infused vodka

Though very easy to make, this infused vodka recipe does need to sit for at least a week for the flavours to fully develop. Once made it keeps for months, so my advice is to get ahead of the game and make it well in advance of Easter:

• Pour the vodka into a wide-necked, screw-top jar
• Snap the cinnamon sticks and add to the jar along with the raisins
• Split the nutmeg clove using a pestle and mortar and add to the vodka
• Seal the jar and store for at least 1 week, preferably 2, gently shaking the jar every few days
• Strain through filter paper, a fine-meshed sieve or a nutbag to remove the spices and decant into a bottle (you can add a few raisins back in if desired)

Ingredients for the Easter cocktail

Once the infused vodka is ready, it’s a simple case of adding to this springtime festive mix with:

• Dry vermouth – I used Noilly Prat
• Clear apple juice – cloudy won’t give such a good look
• Lemon zest

The reward for those patient enough to make the infused vodka is a fantastic fruity yet spicy Easter cocktail.

How to make the Easter martini

It is very easy to make this Easter cocktail. Simply:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice
• Pour liquids into the cocktail shaker
• Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to chill and dilute the drink
• Pour into a martini glass
• Twist a strip of lemon over the glass to release the oils and aroma
• Garnish with a raisin and a spiral of lemon zest

Can I Make This Drink Without a Cocktail Shaker?

I’m well aware that not every household possesses a cocktail shaker. The good news is that you don’t actually need one to make this Easter martini. Any large, durable screwtop jar can make a great substitute for a shaker.

If you are considering buying a cocktail shaker, there are plenty to choose from. They can vary in price wildly, but this Boston shaker set wins my vote.

How to Store Infused Vodka

Whilst the vodka is infusing I recommend storing it somewhere cool and dark – a kitchen cupboard is ideal. Once ready, it’s up to you where to store this vodka – the fridge, the freezer, a cupboard or a shelf are all fine.

This vodka will keep for a long time and it’s really not fussy where it’s home is.

More boozy infusions

More Easter recipes

Browse all of my creative & tasty Easter recipes from chocolate gifts to desserts to cocktails and even a savoury pie, we have plenty. Here are a few favourites:

Have you made this hot cross bun Easter martini? I hope that you enjoyed it. Please let me know by leaving a review.

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