How to make a raspberry martini at home

January 1, 2026

A raspberry martini is one of those drinks that looks a lot fancier than it is, and if you've already got a bottle of neutral spirit in the cupboard you're most of the way there, because the raspberry vodka at the heart of it is something you can mix up yourself from an essence in about 5 minutes.

The raspberry vodka first

The Still Spirits Raspberry Vodka essence goes into a clean neutral spirit and gives you a pink, berry flavoured vodka to mix with. How much essence goes into how much spirit is printed on the bottle, so go by that rather than a number you've read somewhere. Then give it a good shake and a day to settle before you judge it.

One thing worth knowing before you start, because it trips people up. Mixing an essence into a neutral spirit you've bought isn't distilling and doesn't need a licence. Distilling that base spirit yourself does, though, and it's an excise manufacturer licence from the ATO even if you never sell a drop.

How I'd mix it

50ml raspberry vodka. The one you've just made up.
20ml triple sec. Made up from an essence the same way, or a bought one if that's what you've got.
20ml lemon juice. Squeezed fresh, because the bottled stuff tastes flat in a drink this simple.
Ice and a few raspberries. The raspberries are for the glass at the end.

Put everything except the raspberries into a shaker full of ice and shake it hard for about 15 seconds. Strain it into a chilled glass and drop a raspberry or two in. If it tastes too sharp, pull the lemon back a little next time, and if it's too sweet it's usually the triple sec doing it.

Getting it to look right

A martini glass that's been in the freezer for 10 minutes keeps the drink cold right to the bottom, and that matters more than any garnish. A sugar rim is nice if you like it sweet, and a strip of lemon peel works if you don't.

Shop related products

Still Spirits Triple Sec Liqueur essence 50ml. For the orange side of the drink.
Edwards Essences Vodka Essence. A plain vodka flavour for the cupboard.
Still Spirits Citrus Vodka 50ML. For a lemony martini instead.
Still Spirits Universal Z Carbon. For cleaning up a spirit before it's flavoured.

Did you know we also keep the Still Spirits Raspberry Vodka essence itself in the shop, along with 1125ml spirit bottles by the each or the carton of 12. They're not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what's on the shelf.