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 stores for a long time.

This post was first published in March 2017 and updated in March 2020

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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.

The Infused Vodka Recipe

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 This 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.

Try More Infused Vodka Recipes:

• Cardamom vodka
• Chilli-vodka
• Cranberry infused vodka
• Apple & ginger vodka

Find More Easter Recipes:

• Mini egg brownies
• Millionaires shortbread caramel Easter eggs
• Easter white chocolate pots
• White chocolate and mint speckle cake

Hot Cross Bun Martini

Jane Coupland

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 so perfect to share with friends over the extended weekend. Just don’t forget to infuse the vodka a week or so in advance.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cocktail, Drink – alcoholic

Cuisine: Worldwide

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cocktails

Calories: 117kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

For the Raisin & Spice Infused Vodka

• ▢ 500 ml/ 2 cups Vodka
• ▢ 3 Large cinnamon sticks (each 12-15 cm long)
• ▢ 1 Whole nutmeg
• ▢ 45 g/ ¼ cup Raisins

For the Hot Cross Bun Martini – serves 2

• ▢ 80 ml/ ⅓ cup Raisin & Spice Infused Vodka
• ▢ 45 ml/ 3 tbsp Dry vermouth
• ▢ 30 ml/ 2 tablespoon Clear apple juice
• ▢ 2 Strips lemon

Garnish

• ▢ Raisins
• ▢ Lemon twists

Instructions

Make the Infused Vodka

• Put the raisins and vodka into a wide necked, screw top jar
• Snap the cinnamon sticks and add to the jar
• Use a pestle and mortar to split the nutmeg clove 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 to remove the spices and decant into a bottle (you can add the raisins back in if desired)

Make the Cocktail

• Put the vodka, vermouth and apple juice into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds
• Strain into 2 martini glasses and twist a strip of lemon over each glass (to release the oils and aroma)
• Garnish with a raisin and a twist of lemon in each glass
• Serve immediately

Notes

The infused vodka will keep for a very long time in an airtight bottle.

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)

Calories:117kcal | Carbohydrates:3g | Protein:1g | Fat:1g | Saturated Fat:1g | Sodium:1mg | Sugar:1g

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