Breakfast Martini Recipe

Prepare glass

Place the cocktail glass or coupe in the freezer for at least 5 minutes or fill with ice water while you build the drink so it's well chilled.

Combine ingredients

In a cocktail shaker, add the orange marmalade and the optional simple syrup. Pour in the gin, Aperol, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice.

Muddle/emulsify

Using a bar spoon or a muddler, press and stir the marmalade vigorously against the shaker's side for 10–15 seconds to break it up and begin dissolving it into the liquids. This helps emulsify the marmalade so it integrates cleanly.

Add ice and shake

Add the ice to the shaker, seal, and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds until the shaker is very cold and slightly frosted. The vigorous shake helps further emulsify the marmalade and aerate the drink for texture.

Double strain

Empty the chilled glass of ice water if used. Using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer, double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to remove any marmalade solids and small ice shards, yielding a clean, silky drink.

Garnish

Express the oils from an orange zest over the surface by holding the zest about 2–3 inches above the drink and giving it a firm twist skin-side down. Rub the zest around the rim if desired, then drop the twist into the drink or lay it on the rim as garnish.

Serve immediately. Recommend stirring once with a spoon if separation occurs after a short rest; best enjoyed chilled within a few minutes.

Ensure the cocktail glass is well chilled and the fine strainer is ready. Clean tools between cocktails for consistent texture and appearance.