The Pornstar Martini is one of those cocktails that sounds outrageous but tastes absolutely divine. Created in London in the early 2000s by bartender Douglas Ankrah, this drink was designed to be exciting, passionate, and a little bit provocative, just like its name suggests. Despite the cheeky title, there’s nothing scandalous about this cocktail except how dangerously delicious it is. The combination of vanilla vodka, fresh passion fruit, and a shot of sparkling Prosecco on the side creates a flavor profile that’s tropical, sophisticated, and utterly addictive. The passion fruit provides a sweet-tart punch while the vanilla adds smooth richness, and that float of Prosecco bubbles brings everything together in perfect harmony. It’s become one of the most ordered cocktails in bars worldwide, and once you make it at home, you’ll understand why.
This recipe makes two cocktails and takes just five minutes to prepare, making it perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special. Each serving contains approximately 210 calories, so you can indulge in this luxurious drink without overdoing it.
1. Ingredients
- Vanilla vodka – 100 milliliters (about 3.4 ounces)
- Passion fruit liqueur – 30 milliliters (about 1 ounce)
- Fresh passion fruits – 2 whole
- Fresh lime juice – 30 milliliters (about 1 ounce)
- Simple syrup – 20 milliliters (about 2 teaspoons)
- Vanilla extract – 1/4 teaspoon
- Ice cubes – 2 cups
- Cold Prosecco – 60 milliliters (about 2 ounces)
- Passion fruit half – 1 (for garnish)
2. Prepare the Passion Fruit
Cut the two fresh passion fruits in half using a sharp knife. Use a spoon to scoop out all the pulp, seeds, and juice into a cocktail shaker. Don’t worry about the seeds because they add wonderful texture and a slight crunch to the drink that’s part of its signature appeal. The fresh passion fruit is what really makes this cocktail special, giving it that authentic tropical flavor that bottled juice just can’t match. If fresh passion fruits are unavailable, you can use passion fruit puree, but fresh is always better when you can get it.
3. Add the Liquid Ingredients
Pour the vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and vanilla extract into the cocktail shaker with the passion fruit pulp. The vanilla vodka provides a smooth base while the passion fruit liqueur intensifies that tropical flavor. Fresh lime juice is essential for balancing the sweetness and adding brightness to the cocktail. The simple syrup rounds everything out and the extra dash of vanilla extract amplifies that creamy vanilla note that makes this drink so special.
4. Shake Vigorously
Fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes until it’s about two-thirds full. Seal the shaker tightly and shake hard for about 15 to 20 seconds. You want to shake this drink really well to properly chill it, dilute it slightly with melting ice, and create that lovely frothy texture on top. The vigorous shaking also helps break down some of the passion fruit pulp and incorporates all the flavors together. You’ll know it’s ready when the outside of the shaker becomes frosty cold to the touch.
5. Strain into Glasses
Place a fine-mesh strainer over a chilled martini or coupe glass. Some people prefer to strain out the passion fruit seeds for a smoother drink, while others love the seeds for their texture and visual appeal. If you want to keep the seeds, just use a regular cocktail strainer. Pour the cocktail through the strainer, filling the glass about three-quarters full. The drink should have a beautiful pale yellow color with flecks of passion fruit throughout if you kept the seeds. You should also see a light foam on top from the vigorous shaking.
6. Prepare the Prosecco Shot
Pour about 30 milliliters or one ounce of cold Prosecco into a small shot glass for each cocktail. This is traditionally served on the side rather than mixed directly into the drink. The idea is that you can sip the Pornstar Martini and then chase it with the Prosecco, or you can pour the Prosecco into the martini glass to add sparkle and change the flavor profile as you drink. Either way works beautifully and it’s part of the fun presentation that makes this cocktail so memorable.
7. Garnish Beautifully
Take the remaining passion fruit half and float it on top of the cocktail as a garnish. This not only looks stunning but also gives your guests extra passion fruit pulp to scoop out and enjoy as they sip. Some bartenders place the passion fruit half directly in the drink while others balance it on the rim of the glass. Choose whichever presentation you prefer. The contrast of the pale cocktail with the vibrant purple and yellow passion fruit on top is absolutely gorgeous.
8. Serve Immediately
Place the martini glass and the shot glass of Prosecco on a small serving plate or cocktail napkin and serve right away. The drink is best enjoyed ice cold, so don’t let it sit around. Instruct your guests to either sip the Prosecco between sips of the martini or pour it directly into the cocktail about halfway through drinking it. Both methods are authentic and change the drinking experience, so there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.
9. Nutritional Information Per Serving
- Calories – 210
- Protein – 1 gram
- Total fat – 0 grams
- Saturated fat – 0 grams
- Carbohydrates – 18 grams
- Fiber – 2 grams
- Sugar – 14 grams
- Cholesterol – 0 milligrams
- Sodium – 5 milligrams
10. Helpful Tips
Always use quality vanilla vodka because it makes a huge difference in the final taste of the cocktail. Cheap vodka will give you a harsh, burning flavor that overpowers the delicate passion fruit. If you can’t find vanilla vodka, you can use regular premium vodka and increase the vanilla extract to half a teaspoon. Make sure your passion fruits are ripe by choosing ones that feel heavy for their size and have slightly wrinkled skin. Smooth-skinned passion fruits aren’t ripe yet and will be too tart. If you’re making multiple cocktails for a party, you can batch the vodka, liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, vanilla extract, and passion fruit pulp together in a pitcher and keep it chilled, then shake individual portions with ice as needed. This saves time and ensures consistency. The Prosecco shot is an essential part of the experience, so don’t skip it even though it might seem unusual at first. Use a good quality Prosecco rather than the cheapest option because you’re drinking it on its own and the flavor matters. For an extra special touch, chill your martini glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving. You can make a simple syrup easily at home by heating equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves, then cooling it completely before using. Store leftover simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month. If your cocktail tastes too tart, add a little more simple syrup. If it’s too sweet, add a squeeze more lime juice. The balance should be tropical and fruity with a nice vanilla smoothness and a tart edge that keeps it refreshing. Some variations include adding a splash of pineapple juice for extra tropical flavor or using champagne instead of Prosecco for a more luxurious twist. This cocktail pairs wonderfully with appetizers like shrimp cocktail, ceviche, or light Asian dishes, and it’s the perfect drink for celebrations, girls’ nights, or any time you want something that feels fancy and fun.
