Cherry Ocho Martini

Martini & Riffs April 09, 2026

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Cherry Ocho Martini

Directions

  • Add ice to mixing glass
  • Add all ingredients to mixing glass
  • Stir well with bar spoon
  • Strain into chilled cocktail glass
  • Express orange zest twist over drink and drop into glass

Cocktail Description

If you think a martini glass can only hold gin or vodka, this rum-based beauty will open your eyes to a whole new world of stirred cocktails.

The Cherry Ocho Martini brings together aged Jamaican rum with the deep, slightly sweet richness of cherry liqueur and a touch of tiki bitters for a drink that tastes like a sophisticated grown-up cherry cordial with a tropical edge. The Appleton Estate 8 Year Old provides a warm, woody backbone with hints of vanilla and spice, while the Heering adds luxurious cherry notes without turning things cloying. Those Elemakule Tiki Bitters tie everything together with a whisper of cinnamon and allspice, and the orange zest garnish adds a bright citrus aroma that lifts each sip. This is a drink for slow evenings when you want something refined but not fussy—perfect as an after-dinner sipper or a classy nightcap. Making it couldn't be easier since you're just stirring three ingredients together, though you'll want to use a proper mixing glass and strain it well for that silky texture. Pair it with dark chocolate desserts, duck confit, or a cheese plate featuring aged gouda or manchego to complement the rum's complexity and the cherry's fruity sweetness.

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