The Story Behind The Pornstar Martini
While the drink’s name might raise a few eyebrows, the Pornstar Martini will win over uptight drinkers with its easygoing profile. Tart bursts of passion fruit, rich vanilla, and a side of bubbly wine combine in this modern classic.
The cocktail was created by the late Doug Ankrah, a bartender familiar with the London and New York City drinks scenes. It’s believed that he first conceptualized the recipe on an early-2000s visit to Cape Town, South Africa while working on his book, “Shaken and Stirred.” The Pornstar Martini then landed on the menu at Ankrah’s London bars Lab and Townhouse. There, it further developed into the cocktail that’s so beloved today.
The Pornstar Martini should be served in a coupe glass with a sidecar of sparkling wine, usually Prosecco or Champagne. The cocktail is shaken, yielding a fluffy texture, while a fresh passion fruit garnish is floated on top of its foamy head. The build often doesn’t include any citrus (some recipes include a half- ounce of lime juice), though its profile often resembles that of a sour. The Pornstar Martini is typically highly acidic and tart with an unexpected sweetness, playing well with the base spirit, vanilla vodka. Meanwhile, the bubbly sidecar can be sipped as a separate shot or poured into the cocktail.
Learn how to make Ankrah’s iconic modern classic via the recipe below.
