Fabulous Non-Alcoholic Chocolate Martini – The Perfect Valentine Day’s Mocktail
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and have we got some divine decadence for you! Check out this virgin chocolate cherry martini today.
If you’re taking a little time off alcohol, or just don’t feel like having alcohol today, we’ve got a treat for you! It’s silky, chocolatey and oh so darn good.
For this one, I’m channeling my Nana who always had a box of chocolate covered cherries under the seat of her old parlor chair.
Think dark deep chocolate, wild cherries, and creamy cool whipped cream.
A few years back, (in the midst of my drinking career) we invented a martini in honor of our friend, “New Debbie.” We called it the Chocolate Cherry Bomb. It was made with cherry infused vodka, chocolate liqueur, milk and maraschino cherry juice well shaken and super icy.
Yummy but deadly.
Martini’s are sort of outside my wheelhouse right now, but I wanted to have that awesome chocolate cherry flavor and it seemed like Valentine’s Day was the perfect time to create this virgin chocolate martini mocktail recipe.
I searched the web, cuz that’s where all good things start, right?
Nope. Nada. Nothing!
And anything that was even close was packed with sugar, corn syrup, and other “off putting “ stuff. So I set out to create the best almost guiltless Valentine’s Day mocktail drink ever. By the way, the more often I experiment with being alcohol free, the less I miss it. The real high comes from settling in with a gorgeous, creative and well crafted cocktail. It’s about the ritual. I never, and I mean never miss the alcohol. And this one checks all the boxes.
They say we eat with our eyes (I wish someone would tell my a$$ that) and I guess it’s the same for drinking. So I’ve added a few tips for making this, or any other cocktail or mocktail shine. I’m thinking I knocked the flavor on this one out of the park first time out, let me know what you think.
You will probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry or fridge already. I did.
Your shopping list:
Cocoa mix (sweetened) – Use Light Hot Cocoa Mix to take the calories down to 25 calories per packet if you choose.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Hershey’s will do but I used Ghirardelli cause I’m fancy.
Hershey’s Dark Syrup – If you already have regular chocolate syrup, use that. It’s just a swirl. See tip below for drizzling like a pro.
Frozen Dark Cherries (I always have these in the fridge)
Almond Extract (ditto)
Milk (ditto) Low fat option is fine.
Optional Garnish:
Whipped cream
Red sugar (just for looks!). You can actually make your own if you want. See tip below for that below too.
Maraschino cherries with long stems
Ok. So I see how this looks at first glance.
But really, it’s not that bad.
Most of the sweet stuff is for garnish. You’ll see.
And if you use the light options, this is no biggy. Even without substitutions it comes in lower in calories than most standard Chocolate Martinis which FYI, can range from 340 – 438 calories.
The regular cocoa mix I used comes in around 50 cals per tablespoon. And we only use 1 and 1/2 tablespoons for 2 drinks.
Low fat milk at 110 calories (for 2 ) and Reddi-wip whipped cream comes in at 15 calories for 2 tablespoons. The Hershey’s syrup just lays there on the glass unless you sop it up with your finger. No judging if you do. And the cocoa powder and sugar are just a dusting on the glass.
So do the math based on which ingredients you choose to lighten up on, if any.
Did I say there are 340 – 438 calories in a regular chocolate martini. Just saying it again.
Besides, it is Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Cherry Martini Mocktail (from SecondMojo.com)
Notes
Allow an hour or so to chill the Cocoa Mixture or make ahead of time.
Recipe from secondmojo.com
Ingredients
- Note: This makes two martinis
- One packet or 1-2 TBSP of Hot Chocolate Mix (I used Sillycow Farms)
- 6 oz milk (2% or lo-fat is fine)
- 10-12 Frozen Dark Cherries
- 1 teaspoon of Almond Extract
- For garnish:
- Hershey’s Dark Chocolate
- 2 teaspoons 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- Whipped cream (Light Whipped is fine.)
- Red sugar (optional)
- Maraschino cherries - long stems (optional)
Instructions
- Mix 1/1/2 tbsp (or ½ - ⅔ packet) of cocoa mix with 6 oz of milk. Experiment, but I prefer ½ packet or 1 to 1 and 1/2 tbsp to keep the sweetness in check. Bring to a simmer and mix well. Place in the refrigerator to cool for a half hour to an hour.
- Put 10-12 frozen unsweetened pitted dark cherries in a NutriBullet or blender and let them soften a little before mixing.
- Prepare your martini glasses:
- Chill your glasses
- Drizzle the dark chocolate around inside the glasses to make a beautiful (and tasty) design. (See Mojo Tip below) Put them in the freezer to set.
- When you're ready to make your drink sprinkle the Unsweetened cocoa powder on a flat plate and add the red sugar, mixing it with a fork. Run one of the softened dark cherries along the rim of the glasses for moisture and lightly dip the rims into the chocolate and sugar mixture. (See Mojo Tip below.)
- Put the glasses back in the fridge to chill.
- Pour the cooled chocolate mix, almond extract and 2-3 ice cubes into the NutriBullet with the cherries and blend for a minute or so. (I like the small pulpy bits in the drink so I don’t overdo it.) If you prefer a slushy drink just add more ice.
- Pour into your glass, give it a dollop of whipped cream, and plop on a long stem Maraschino. Enjoy!! No need for dessert after this one.
How to decorate the perfect martini
Presentation is everything! We are creating a treat for your eyes as well as your palate, right? Here are some tips to up your bartending game and create the perfect Valentine’s mocktail experience. Follow us and you’ll be serving up a beautiful and scrumptious crafted cocktail like a pro! Your tip is to not expect a tip. (Uncle humor)
Choose the perfect martini glass
The right glass will help create the perfect vibe. Think “Sex in the City.” But it also serves a purpose and contributes to your enjoyment of the taste, the aroma and the temperature, not to mention the elegance of that sexy stem in your fingers. The design is meant to allow you to slowly sip while you enjoy the aroma of the contents.
Chill the glasses
Nobody wants a warm martini. So chill that puppy up, not that this drink will last long enough to get warm. Be sure to rinse your glasses first if they live on the top shelf like at my house. You can put them in the freezer wet and they’ll be ready in 15 minutes. If you lack space, no worries. The refrigerator will do the trick but start with a dry glass.
How to make a perfect drizzle in your martini glass
Nothing takes your drink up a notch like a deep chocolate drizzle. It’s not rocket science, but there is a tiny bit of artistry to it. You can pour it straight from the squeeze bottle, but we prefer putting it in an icing bag (or small baggie) with a tiny hole in the corner. This makes for a very fine drizzle and avoids the “glops” from the container method. Hold the glass in one hand, bag in the other and slowly rotate the glass as you drizzle. Place the glass in the freezer after to allow it to set up.
How to properly rim a cocktail glass
To add some magic to your martini and make it Valentine’s Day worthy, rim it with a mix of deep chocolate cocoa powder and red granulated sugar. This is also known as “frosting the glass.” If you’re fancy and a frequent rimmer (oh, now that’s just wrong), you can spring for a rimming dish. A regular dish or saucer is just as effective and one less thing to store. This is super simple. Just pour your cocoa and sugar mixture on the plate. Moisten the rim with cherry juice, (or chocolate syrup) and dip the upside down glass in the mix. Twist it a little to get more mix on it. Voila. Pour the drink off the insides of the glass avoiding the rim.
Want to make your own colored sugar?
After all, St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and you’ll be wanting the green stuff soon enough. Just pour a little granulated sugar into the food processor and slowly add drops of food coloring until you hit your color. (Do people still use food coloring? ) Pour it on the plate and you’re done.
Dusting your martini.
Talk about the next level. So normally “dusts” are made from reduced alcohol of some sort. In our world, we are simply sprinkling a tiny bit of the cocoa powder on the top of the drink just before serving. Think of it as pixie dust.
Garnishes
Whipped cream and the cherry. I am assuming there is nobody in this group that has not enjoyed a banana split or hot fudge sundae. You know what to do!
Cocktail napkins
And the final touch, the cocktail napkin is one more chance to customize the experience. Treat yourself and pull out the linen. And enjoy.
Make a batch in advance
If you’re serving this for guests, just mix up the cocoa and milk mixture in advance and let it cool, drizzle and chill your glasses in the refrigerator, and you’re good to go.
Sit back, enjoy your alcohol free indulgence, and party like you know tomorrow’s coming!
xox, cyn
Some Related Blogs You May Enjoy
For an alternate Valentine’s Day Mockie, check out “Raise the Bar!” 5 Great Alcohol Free Craft Cocktails
More great ideas for spoiling number one on Valentine’s Day Beat the Valentine’s Day Blues – Be Your Own Valentine
Tires of thinking about drinking and considering taking a break ? Crush The Alcohol Experiment ! [Forget Dry January]
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Please let us know your thoughts or share your favorite mocktail with us below.
And remember, sharing is caring. If you know someone who might enjoy our community please share with them by social media or email Thanks again!! Cyn
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