What is World Martini Day?

World Martini Day is a worldwide annual event held on the third Saturday in June celebrating the Martini in all its glorious forms.

Just like people, Martinis are wonderfully diverse, each drink is completely unique. Shaken, stirred, dry or wet, how you enjoy a Martini is very much down to personal taste.

When you think of a Martini, chances are you think of a classic gin or vodka Martini with a green olive or lemon twist. But the fact is, there are as many Martini variations as there are bottles in a well-stocked liquor cabinet.

First, there are the classics – the Dry Martini, Vesper Martini and Dirty Martini, all built on the traditional vodka or gin and dry vermouth foundation. Then there are the Neo-Martinis and Fresh Fruit Martinis, or Fruitinis – think the Pornstar Martini (aka Passion Star Martini), Appletini and Pineapple Martini.

Strictly speaking, neither Neo-Martinis nor Fruitinis are true martinis since they skip the dry vermouth, but they’re served in a martini glass, which is good enough for most people. And then there’s the Espresso Martini – only the most popular cocktail in the world.

At Absolut, we love Martinis and so to celebrate World Martini Day, we’ve put together five of the best Vodka Martinis around.

Pornstar Martini / Passion Star Martini

The Pornstar Martini (aka Passion Star Martini) is one of the hottest drinks today. Even if it doesn’t quite fit the classic Martini mold, instead belonging to the Fresh Fruit Martini category, it’s quite simply one of the best drinks out there.

Made with Absolut Vanilia – our delicious Vanilla-Flavored Vodka, Passion Fruit Purée, muddled Pineapple, and Vanilla Syrup, served with a side of Champagne or Prosecco, the Pornstar Martini is glitzy, glamorous, and so damn delicious.

Discover the recipe for a Passion Star Martini!

The Vodka Martini

“This is a Martini for a BBQ. This is a Martini for a backyard party,” shares Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

The Vodka Martini is more than just a drink; it’s a symbol of sophistication. Yet in the video below, you’ll see Rico stirring things up by serving his Vodka Martini in a rocks glass with a large ice cube instead of the classic Martini glass. This way, you can mingle at your gathering with your Martini securely in hand, without worrying about dropping a delicate Martini glass. Genius!

So, what makes a great Martini? Personal choice. Ask ten people how they take theirs and you’ll get ten different answers. Some want more vermouth, some want less. Some like it ice cold with maximum dilution, others prefer it short and punchy. It’s your drink, you decide.

Check out the recipe for a classic Vodka Martini.

Hot tip! Always keep your vermouth in the fridge. It’s a wine, not a spirit and it will spoil if it’s not refrigerated.

Lemon Drop Martini

The Lemon Drop Martini blends the smoothness of Absolut Citron, our incredibly popular and versatile lemon-flavored vodka, with zesty fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Add the sweet orange notes from triple sec and a hint of simple syrup, and you’ve got one delicious and incredibly citrusy Martini. And it’s no surprise – vodka and triple sec is one of the most popular flavour combinations in cocktail making, forming the backbone of some of the most loved drinks around.

Just like Rico says, “When life gives you lemons, you get a bottle of Absolut Citron and make Lemon Drops!”.

Check out the video below to see how to make a classic Lemon Drop Martini.

Espresso Martini

Few cocktails have had the cultural impact of the Espresso Martini. Born from a happy accident in a London bar in the 1980s, it has grown into a global phenomenon that shows no sign of slowing down.

Made with Absolut Vodka, fresh espresso and coffee liqueur, shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass, it delivers something unmistakably distinct – bold, sophisticated and creamy in equal measure. Garnish with three coffee beans for the ultimate finish.

Check out our recipe for the perfect Espresso Martini.

French Martini

An 80s classic, the French Martini is made with Absolut Vodka, pineapple juice and French black raspberry liqueur, garnished with a slice of pineapple. Elegant, fruity and subtly sweet, the French Martini is one to serve when you want to impress without overcomplicating things.

Hot tip! Absolut Global Brand Ambassador Rico Dynan suggests adding just a touch of fresh lime juice to balance things out. With both pineapple juice and French black raspberry liqueur bringing sweetness to the glass, that small squeeze of citrus cuts through beautifully – and trust us, it makes all the differenc

Watch the video below to see how to make a French Martini.