The Pornstar Martini is probably notorious thanks to its risqué, name 😉 Whatever the name, this passion fruit cocktail served with a shot of Prosecco on the side is deliciously seductive and photogenic!
You will also love my French Martini or my fave Passionfruit Martini
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I debated blogging this flavoured martini recipe for such a long time… but the cheeky name had no place on this blog. Especially since I had my 8 year old son literally reading over my shoulder as I was typing up this post. Now that he is safely occupied playing I can whisper it… it’s actually a Pornstar Martini.
I don’t know about you, but the name would actually put me off ordering this cocktail which would be a shame because it is delicious, especially if you love passion fruit drinks and Prosecco which I do!
What’s in a name
The Pornstar Martini cocktail has probably shot up in popularity thanks to the playful name – it supposedly is the most popular cocktail in the UK! It certainly appears to be very instagrammable…
These days you can even find pre-mixed bottled versions at your local supermarket, but I will always maintain making a cocktail from scratch is the only way to enjoy it.
It was created by Douglas Ankhra (of LAB bar and later Townhouse fame) and it was originally known by another name – the Maverick Martini. The creator named it after a disreputable gentleman’s club in Cape Town.
He later changed the name to reflect the “evocative and tantalising” essence of the cocktail, perhaps influenced by the passion fruit. The cocktail remains wildly popular – take a look at a list of Leeds bars giving their twist on the the Porn Star Martini!
Here’s what you will need
There’s a few different versions of this cocktail but the main ingredients are:
- Vodka or Vanilla vodka (such as Absolut Vanilia or Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka)
- Juice from fresh passion fruit or store-bought purée. If using store-bought purée you might need to adjust the lime juice and leave out the sugar syrup. Commercial passion fruit purées are a lot sweeter generally than the fresh fruit
- Passion Fruit Liqueur, such as Passoa. There aren’t many passion fruit liquor alternatives to Passoa but you might want to try this Boe Passion Gin which would replace both the vodka and the Passoa in this cocktail recipe
- Fresh lime juice – optional, to cut the sweetness
- Simple syrup (sugar syrup)
- Vanilla – you can use Vanilla vodka or use vanilla extract, paste or even a fresh vanilla pod. Or you can make vanilla simple syrup, recipe in notes below
- A large shot of chilled Prosecco or Champagne served on the side
- Fresh passion fruit slice to garnish
How to make a Pornstar Martini
Take a look at this step by step tutorial – please note you will find the full recipe, including ingredients in the recipe card at the end of this post.
CHILL THE GLASSES Put two martini glasses (<– these are the ones in the photos) in the freezer to chill.
EXTRACT THE JUICE Slice the passion fruit and scoop out the seeds into a small sieve set over your cocktail shaker. Press on the seeds with the back of a spoon to extract the juice. Alternatively scoop the pulp directly into your shaker – a lazier option!
GET SHAKING! Half fill your cocktail shaker with cubed ice. Add the vodka, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, sugar syrup and vanilla extract. Shake hard for 30 seconds. Taste your cocktail – is it too sweet or too sour? Adjust the lime juice or sugar syrup (a.k.a simple syrup/ gomme syrup).
READY TO SERVE Strain the cocktail into the chilled glasses and garnish with a thin slice of passion fruit. Serve the shots of Prosecco on the side. Snap a couple of Instagram shots and enjoy!
How to drink a Porn Star Martini
The first time I was presented with one I was a bit perplexed by the shot served on the side. According to the creator you were supposed to scoop out and eat the passion fruit garnish, drink the Prosecco, then sip the cocktail at your leisure.
I have to say that sparkling wine doesn’t really lend itself to drinking as a shot! I have seen plenty of people pour the Prosecco into the martini, and usually do this myself.
Pornstar Martini Mocktail
A few readers have asked if it is possible to make a Virgin Pornstar Martini – I know that really sounds like an oxymoron in more ways than one! While you can’t quite imitate the flavour of the cocktail without any alcohol you can still make a very refreshing drink.
Simply add 60ml (1/4 cup) passion fruit juice (or purée), 80ml (1/3 cup) cloudy apple juice, a tablespoon each of lime juice and Monin Premium Passion Fruit Syrup and a few drops of vanilla extract into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of fresh passion fruit and serve with a shot of chilled alcohol-free sparkling wine on the side.
Tips and FAQs
USING FRESH PASSION FRUIT One large passion fruit contains approximately one tablespoon of strained juice and two tablespoons of pulp.
Passion fruit with slightly wrinkly skin are a little sweeter than the smoother ones. If you can only find smooth ones then store them for a couple of days until the skin gets all crinkly!
You can add the pulp of the passion fruit directly into your shaker instead of extracting the juice first. Make sure to double strain the drink using a cocktail strainer when serving.
USING STORE-BOUGHT PASSION FRUIT PUREE You can replace the fresh passion fruit with store-bought purée. The only slight drawback is that they usually come in large containers and need to be used quite quickly. Monin and Funkin Pro (<– this would be my preference) both do versions, available on Amazon.
TOP TIP: Bottled passion fruit purée can be very sweet – you might need to adjust how much to add to your cocktail. Always taste before serving and adjust by adding a little lime juice to balance the drink if needed.
WHAT ABOUT THE VANILLA VODKA? You don’t really need it, simply add a couple of drops of real vanilla extract (used in baking) or scrape the seeds from a vanilla pod. Alternatively you can make vanilla simple syrup (see recipe notes). Vanilla can be an overpowering flavour so make sure not to add too much!
More refreshing cocktails
Pornstar Martini
Ingredients
- 4 fresh passion fruit aproximately 60ml /2 fl oz of juice
- 100 ml 3 ½ fl oz Vodka or Vanilla vodka
- 2 tbsp Passoa liqueur (passionfruit liqueur)
- 1 tbsp lime juice or more to taste
- 1 tsp sugar syrup (optional – adjust to taste)
- Drop of vanilla extract (leave out if using Vanilla vodka)
- chilled Champagne or Prosecco to serve on the side
- 1 fresh passion fruit , sliced or halved to garnish
Instructions
- Put two martini glasses in the freezer to chill.
- Slice the passion fruit and scoop out the seeds into a small sieve set over your cocktail shaker. Press on the seeds with the back of a spoon to extract the juice. For a lazier option scoop the passion fruit fresh directly into the shaker.
- Half fill your cocktail shaker with cubed ice. Add the vodka, passionfruit liqueur lime juice, sugar syrup, vanilla extract and shake hard for 30 seconds.
- Dip a straw into your drink and have a taste. Is it too sweet or too sour? Adjust by adding lime juice or sugar syrup as needed.
- Double strain the drink into the chilled cocktail glasses and garnish with a thin slice of passion fruit.
- Serve with shots of chilled Prosecco or Champagne on the side.
Video
Notes
Passion Star Martini tips and FAQs
- I can’t find fresh passion fruit – what can I use instead? You can replace the fresh passion fruit purée with store-bought versions. The only slight drawback is that they usually come if large containers and need to be used quite quickly.
- I don’t have Vanilla vodka – you don’t really need it, simply add a couple of drops of real vanilla extract (used in baking) or scrape the seeds from a vanilla pod. Alternatively use homemade vanilla simple syrup, recipe below.
- Do I pour the prosecco into the cocktail? The prosecco or Champagne is meant to be drunk on its own and served on the side. You can certainly pour it into your martini if you prefer, I usually do.
lacey says
It’s 2020, not 1950. Don’t know why you’ve got such an issue with the name.
Lucy Parissi says
I don’t but how my site is seen by search engines does… let’s just say it’s complicated 😂
Rick Yao says
Loved this drink!
Caz R says
Love this and want to make it – cant see the measures for the recipe?!
Lucy Parissi says
At the end of the post, there’s a recipe card x
Aimee Shugarman says
Love the name, LOL. And the flavor was spot on, the passionfruit makes all the difference 🙂
Lucy Parissi says
It does, never as good with store bought mixes
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I love passion fruit! This was so freaking delicious!
Renee Goerger says
I’m super excited to try this recipe. It looks delicious and that name is quite intriguing!!
Ashley says
Great flavor combo! Delicious. Will make it again.
Lucy Parissi says
It’s pretty addictive! Cheers and thanks for the comment 😉
Kate Hackworthy says
This looks so flavourful and refreshing. I’ve never actually had one before – must amend that!
Lucy Parissi says
It’s one of my absolute favourite drinks – though I usually drop the vanilla element
Kellie Anderson says
I love the new name you’ve given this otherwise very delightful cocktail. I’ve never ordered one just because of it’s name, although I’ve certainly enjoyed one or two in my time. I’d be very happy to order your iteration whatever the name though. And, can I just say, I love how you’ve colour-matched your dress to the drink.