Bitter Orange & Cardamom Martinis
These bright, aromatic martinis balance gin, Campari, dry vermouth, and a quick bitter orange-cardamom cordial. They are bracing, citrusy, and lightly spiced without turning sweet.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 martinis
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
A bitter orange martini is a lovely drink for people who like citrus cocktails with a little edge. Campari brings the bitter note, while marmalade adds orange peel flavor and just enough sweetness.
Cardamom gives the drink a warm, floral scent. You do not need to make a full bottle of syrup for this recipe. A quick steep with crushed pods, hot water, and marmalade does the job in minutes.
Shake these martinis hard with plenty of ice. That chills the drink fast and adds a small amount of water, which softens the alcohol and makes the citrus taste brighter.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
10 items · 2 martinis
- 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- 1 ounce hot water
- 1 tablespoon bitter orange marmalade, such as Seville orange marmalade
- 4 ounces London dry gin
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce fresh orange juice, preferably Seville, blood orange, or navel orange
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Ice, for shaking
- 2 thin orange twists, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glasses
Place two martini or coupe glasses in the freezer while you make the drinks. Cold glasses help keep the martinis crisp from the first sip.
2. Crush the cardamom
Lightly press the cardamom pods with the flat side of a knife or the bottom of a glass. You only need to crack them open so the seeds can flavor the liquid.
3. Make the quick cordial
In a small heatproof cup, stir the crushed cardamom pods, hot water, and bitter orange marmalade together until the marmalade loosens and looks syrupy. Let it steep for 3 minutes.
4. Strain the cordial
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a cocktail shaker. Press gently on the solids, then discard the cardamom pods and any large bits of peel left in the sieve.
5. Add the spirits and citrus
Add the gin, dry vermouth, Campari, orange juice, and lemon juice to the shaker. The lemon is there for balance, so measure it rather than guessing.
6. Shake until very cold
Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice. Seal it and shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels icy.
7. Strain and garnish
Strain the drink into the chilled glasses. Twist a strip of orange peel over each glass to release its oils, then drop it in or rest it on the rim.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Mix the marmalade, hot water, and cardamom, then strain and refrigerate the cordial up to 3 days ahead. Stir before using.
- Batching: For 4 martinis, double all ingredients and shake in two rounds. A shaker works best when it is not overfilled.
- Storage: A shaken martini is best served right away. If it sits, it warms up and the texture becomes flat.
- Swap the spirit: Vodka works if you want a cleaner drink, but gin adds herbal flavor that pairs well with cardamom.
- Adjust the bitterness: Use Aperol instead of Campari for a softer, sweeter drink. For more bitterness, add 1 or 2 dashes of orange bitters.
- No bitter orange marmalade? Use regular orange marmalade and add an extra 1/4 ounce lemon juice to the shaker for sharper balance.
Cook's note
Bitter orange marmalade varies a lot by brand. If yours is very sweet, start with 2 teaspoons instead of 1 tablespoon, taste the finished drink, and add a little more only if needed.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make these martinis without Campari?
Yes. Aperol is the easiest swap and makes a gentler drink. For a non-red option, use a bitter orange aperitif or add 2 dashes of orange bitters, though the color and flavor will change.
Do I have to use fresh orange juice?
Fresh juice tastes brighter and less cooked than bottled juice. If bottled is all you have, choose 100% orange juice with no added sugar and keep the lemon juice in the recipe for balance.
Can I stir this drink instead of shaking it?
You can, but shaking is better here because the drink includes citrus juice and marmalade cordial. Shaking blends the thicker ingredients and chills the cocktail quickly.
What does cardamom taste like in a cocktail?
Cardamom is warm, citrusy, and lightly floral. In this martini, it should smell aromatic but not taste like a baking spice mix.
How strong is this martini?
It is a spirit-forward cocktail. Serve it in small glasses, drink it cold, and offer water or snacks alongside it.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
2 martinis
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium5 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate13 g
- 5%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars12 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium7 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium54 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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