Pornstar Martini: A Sexed Up Modern Classic

Sex sells. And so does the Pornstar Martini. 

Whether named such because creator Douglas Ankrah thought it was what a pornstar would drink, or because he was inspired by the smell of a stripper’s perfume, one thing is for sure: its evocative name and illustrious taste have helped catapult it head and shoulders above nearly any other cocktail. 

A smash hit in bars all over the world (and especially up and down the nonstop party scene of the cocktail connoisseurs in the UK), the Pornstar Martini has a grip on modern-day drinkers like no other cocktail does. 

I’m sure you’ve had plenty of these while out, so now it’s time to bring out the shaker, pop the prosecco and learn how to make your very own Pornstar Martini!

What Is a Pornstar Martini? 

It’s probably easier to start with what is a Pornstar Martini: not a martini. 

Containing no gin or vermouth, the only similarity this drink shares with its namesake is the coupe glass in which it is served.

A brilliantly sweet mix of vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit syrup, and some sort of tropical fruit juice (we’ll get to that in a minute), the Pornstar Martini comes classily garnished with half a passion fruit and a shot of prosecco on the side. 

Where did the Pornstar Martini come from? 

Well, it exploded out of Knightsbridge, London in 2002 like the big bang and hasn’t stopped growing in popularity since. 

After leaving Townhouse soon after and founding his own LAB Bar, Ankrah continued to draw people in with his sexy, sugary new cocktail and it wasn’t long before the drink spread across the UK, Europe, and then over the pond to The United States. 

It hasn’t seen a drop off in its 20 years on the market and it looks unlikely to anytime soon. 

So let’s settle the age-old (well, 20-year-old) debate. 

Prosecco as a shot or poured into the drink? Originally, the prosecco was intended to be shot before drinking the cocktail, so if you want to stay true to the genesis of the Pornstar Martini then that’s how it’s done. 

However, as anyone who has tried this will know, prosecco doesn’t lend itself well to being a shot. No sparkling drink does.

So nowadays many people choose to pour their shot into the drink and enjoy their Pornstar Martini with a bit of fizz. In truth, there really is no ‘right’ way to do it. 

I personally love the smooth, silky texture of a Pornstar Martini, so I enjoy the prosecco on the side but if you want a bit of fizz and pop in your drink, nothing is stopping you from pouring it in!

So, when is it best to have a Pornstar Martini? 

In short, when you’re there for the night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone stop at just one drink with the Pornstar Martini. 

The sweetness of the drink makes it go down much easier and faster than most cocktails, in which the strong alcoholic punch is the overriding taste, and so they’re great to drink when you’re out for a dance and a late one. 

It’s a proper city drink this one, so just remember to be responsible!

Quick & Easy Pornstar Martini Cocktail Recipe 

The recipe for the Pornstar Martini isn’t quite as rigid as you’d find when making a Negroni or Old Fashioned, or any classic cocktail for that matter. 

Each bartender changes the ratios and ingredients slightly to suit their taste. I have a recipe here that is slightly unconventional but beats any bog-standard way of making the drink with lime and pineapple or orange juice. 

So, let’s get into it: 

Step One: The Shake

Add 1 ½ ounce of Stolichnaya Vanilla, ½ ounce of Passoa, 1 ounce of Passion Fruit Puree, 1 ounce of Apple Juice, and ½ ounce Vanilla Syrup to your Boston Shaker.

Fill with ice and shake until the shaker is chilled to the touch. I’m using apple juice instead of the conventional pineapple juice because it gives the drink more body and flavor. 

Step Two: The Strain

Double strain your drink into a chilled coupe glass. Be sure to swirl the drink around the shaker and get that nice bubbly, foamy head when you think there’s nothing left. 

Step Three: Garnish and Sidecar

Chop up half a passion fruit and place it inside up in the drink to float. Finally, get a shot glass and fill it with prosecco to serve on the side. And, simple as that, your Pornstar Martini is done.

An incredibly easy drink to make for one that’s so popular. 

So there it is: a killer Pornstar Martini recipe with a little apple juice twist that’ll impress anybody and everybody that tries it!

Pornstar Martini Variations 

Whilst the classic Pornstar Martini is fun, it’s always great to mix it up a bit with a few variations. Some of these are a bit more out there than others but if you like the sweet taste of a Pornstar Martini, you’ll almost certainly love these. 

Fruit Juice: 

The best way to change it up is by switching out the 1 ounce of apple juice for either pineapple or orange juice.

It’s not going to have a drastic effect on your drink, but the subtle differences will be noticeable enough for you to decide what your favorite is. Try them all out and see what’s best. 

Vodka: 

The original recipe calls for vanilla-flavored vodka, which is very well known. However, passion fruit has a lovely tropical taste which pairs well with so much more.

Absolut Vodka is going to be your best friend here, with its extensive range of flavored spirits.

Whilst their passion fruit vodka is worth a try, it could become a bit too overpowering so for that reason I’d suggest sticking with mango, mandarin, or if you find the conventional Pornstar Martini just that touch too sweet, their standard, unflavored vodka will bring a bit more of that traditional bite into your drink. 

Egg Whites:

Another intriguing ingredient you can try adding to the recipe is egg white.

Add one egg white to the shaker before shaking and you’ll have a drink that tastes almost the same, but with a totally new texture.

The frothy, foamy head on the Pornstar Martini is only going to intensify with this twist, leaving you with a thick, creamy passion fruit punch rather than the silky smooth texture you’re getting with the classic.

It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely worth a try if you want to add that something extra into your Pornstar Martini. 

French Martini: 

Yachts, champagne, supermodels, fashion, and film festivals. Have I missed anything? All of these spring to mind when you mention France and the French Martini encapsulates all of them with its chic and class.

Made in the same way as a Pornstar Martini, just add 1 ½ ounces vanilla vodka, 1 ounce Chambord (a French raspberry liqueur), and 2 ounces pineapple juice to your shaker before garnishing with a pineapple wedge.

You can serve either with a shot of champagne or prosecco on the side, or top with your sparkling wine. Like the classy older sister of the Pornstar, the French Martini is a must-try for sweet cocktail lovers across the globe. 

Pornstar 75: 

Now, this isn’t a thing I’ve seen done commonly but since a lot of people just pour the prosecco shot into their Pornstar Martini, why the heck not?

Strain your cocktail evenly between two flutes, then top with champagne or prosecco to create a fruity, bubbly surprise that none of your friends are going to expect.

If you’re a pourer, rather than a shotter, then this is 100% the way to make your Pornstar Martini stand out from the rest!

Pornstar Martini Cocktail: Done Your Way 

Here we have it: an absolute belter of a Pornstar Martini recipe that’s guaranteed to get the party started in even the quietest of towns, and with a few different ways to mix it up and make it your own.

Whether you switch out the fruit juice, add in some egg whites, or swap the passionfruit for a raspberry hue, you’re guaranteed to enjoy this one and impress whoever you’re making it for, be it friends, family, or even a date!