Courgette Martini
This clean, garden-fresh martini uses courgette juice to add a cool, lightly vegetal note to classic gin and dry vermouth. It is crisp, simple, and especially good when summer courgettes are firm and sweet.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mDrinks
A courgette martini may sound unusual, but it works for the same reason cucumber drinks do. Courgette, also called zucchini, is mild, juicy, and refreshing. It gives the drink a green freshness without making it taste like a salad.
This version keeps the martini structure simple: gin, dry vermouth, fresh courgette juice, and a small pinch of salt. The salt does not make the drink salty. It just helps the courgette flavor come forward.
You do not need special equipment beyond a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, a strainer, and a fine sieve if you have one. Grating the courgette first helps release enough juice for one bright, chilled drink.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 1 cocktail
- 1/3 small courgette zucchini, enough to make 1 ounce fresh courgette juice
- 2 ounces London dry gin, well chilled if possible
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth
- 1 tiny pinch fine sea salt, about 1/32 teaspoon
- Ice, for stirring
- 1 thin courgette ribbon or lemon twist, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Put a martini glass or small coupe in the freezer for at least 5 minutes. A very cold glass helps the drink stay crisp after it is poured.
2. Grate the courgette
Grate the courgette on the small holes of a box grater. You need about 1/3 of a small courgette to get 1 ounce of juice, depending on how fresh and juicy it is.
3. Press out the juice
Place the grated courgette in a fine sieve over a small bowl. Press firmly with the back of a spoon until you have 1 ounce of pale green juice. If you do not have a sieve, wrap the grated courgette in clean cheesecloth or a thin tea towel and squeeze.
4. Build the drink
Add 1 ounce courgette juice, the gin, dry vermouth, and the tiny pinch of salt to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker. Do not add the garnish yet.
5. Add ice and stir
Fill the mixing glass with ice. Stir for about 25 to 30 seconds, until the outside of the glass feels very cold. Stirring chills and slightly dilutes the drink while keeping it clear and smooth.
6. Strain into the glass
Take the chilled glass from the freezer. Strain the martini into the glass. For the smoothest texture, pour it through a fine sieve as well to catch any tiny courgette bits.
7. Garnish and serve
Add a thin courgette ribbon or a lemon twist. Serve right away, while the martini is icy cold.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can grate and press the courgette juice up to 4 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the fridge and stir before using, as it may separate.
- Storage: This cocktail is best mixed just before serving. A stirred martini loses its clean texture if stored with ice or left to sit for a long time.
- Gin swap: Use vodka for a softer courgette vodka martini. If using vodka, a lemon twist is especially helpful because it adds aroma.
- Vermouth matters: Use fresh dry vermouth and store the bottle in the fridge after opening. Old vermouth can taste flat or stale.
- No fine sieve: Strain through a regular cocktail strainer, then let the drink settle for a minute. It may be a little cloudier, but it will still taste good.
- For a drier martini: Reduce the vermouth to 1/4 ounce. For a gentler drink, increase the vermouth to 3/4 ounce.
Cook's note
Use a young, firm courgette with glossy skin. Large overgrown courgettes can taste watery or slightly bitter, which will show up in such a simple drink.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Does a courgette martini taste strongly of courgette?
No. The flavor is light, fresh, and green. It is closer to cucumber than to cooked courgette.
Can I make this without a cocktail mixing glass?
Yes. Use a shaker tin, sturdy measuring jug, or pint glass. Stir with plenty of ice, then strain into a chilled glass.
Should I shake or stir this martini?
Stir it if you want a clear, silky martini. Shaking is fine if you like a colder, slightly cloudier drink with more texture.
Can I use bottled courgette juice?
Fresh is better here because the flavor is delicate. Bottled vegetable juices are often seasoned or pasteurized, which can make the martini taste dull or salty.
What garnish works best?
A thin courgette ribbon keeps the flavor focused. A lemon twist adds brightness and is a good choice if your gin is very herbal.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium78 mg
- 3%
- Total Carbohydrate2 g
- 1%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars1 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium5 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium85 mg
- 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksVodka Martini
A vodka martini is crisp, cold, and simple, which means the small details matter. Use good ice, chill the glass, and adjust the vermouth to suit your taste.
DrinksEspresso Eggnog Martini
Creamy eggnog meets bold espresso in this holiday-ready martini. It is smooth, lightly sweet, and easy to shake for two after dinner drinks.
DrinksPassion Fruit Martini
Bright, tangy passion fruit gives this vodka martini a tropical edge without making it too sweet. Shake it hard with lime and vanilla simple syrup for a cold, silky cocktail that feels special but takes about 10 minutes.
DrinksAmaretto Espresso Martini
This amaretto espresso martini is smooth, nutty, and lightly sweet, with a fresh coffee kick and a creamy foam top. It is a simple shaken cocktail for after dinner, holiday parties, or any night that calls for a coffee-l