Looking for a patriotic twist on a classic cocktail? The Stars and Stripes Martini brings American flair to your glass with its red, white, and blue layers.
This eye-catching cocktail combines grenadine, blue curaçao, and vodka to create a drink that’s perfect for Fourth of July celebrations, election night parties, or any patriotic gathering.
Making this showstopper is easier than it looks. The secret is understanding how liquids with different sugar contents layer naturally when poured just right.
If you follow the proper steps, the technique creates those distinct color bands that won’t mix.
This recipe only needs a few basic ingredients but delivers big on visual impact. Your guests will probably be impressed by both the presentation and the refreshing taste, which balances sweet and tangy flavors with the clean finish of quality vodka.
Stars And Stripes Martini Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Martini glass
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Strainer
- Bar spoon
- Small plate for rimming
- Ice cube tray (for blue ice)
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz blue curaçao
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- Red sugar for rimming
- Star-shaped lemon peel or small star fruit slice for garnish
- Blue ice cubes optional
Instructions
- Prepare the glass by running a lemon wedge around the rim and dipping it in red sugar.
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add vodka, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared martini glass.
- The drink should separate naturally, with blue at the bottom and red at the top.
- Garnish with a star-shaped lemon peel or small star fruit slice.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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|---|---|---|
 | Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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 | Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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 | Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
 | LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
 | Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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 | WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
 | Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
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 | 1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
 | Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
 | Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
The Stars and Stripes Martini delivers a bright, refreshing taste profile that balances sweet and tart flavors. The combination of vodka, blue curaçao, and grenadine creates a patriotic layered effect that’s honestly pretty striking in the glass.
On your first sip, you’ll get that clean, crisp vodka base. The blue curaçao brings in a sweet orange note, but it doesn’t overpower anything.
The grenadine layer adds a touch of pomegranate sweetness to round things out. These flavors play together to create a smooth, easy-drinking cocktail—not too strong, not too sweet.
Flavor Profile:
- Primary: Crisp vodka, orange notes
- Secondary: Pomegranate, subtle sweetness
- Finish: Clean with a hint of citrus
The mouthfeel is smooth and a little syrupy, thanks to the liqueurs. Temperature matters—a lot. Serve this martini really cold for the best experience.
Food pairings that work well include:
- Light appetizers like shrimp cocktail
- Cheese plates with mild cheeses
- Grilled chicken or fish
For best results, sip slowly and see how the flavors shift as the layers start to mix in the glass. The Stars and Stripes Martini works as a pre-dinner drink or as a celebratory holiday cocktail—take your pick.
Substitute
If you don’t have blue curaçao for the Stars and Stripes Martini, there are a handful of alternatives you could try.
For the blue color, toss in a drop or two of blue food coloring with a splash of orange liqueur—think Grand Marnier or Triple Sec. That way, you still get that orangey note, just with a blue twist.
No grenadine on hand? Try cranberry juice or maybe even pomegranate syrup for the red layer. Both options bring a similar color and a bit of that sweet kick.
Color Substitutes:
- Blue layer: Blue food coloring + orange liqueur
- Red layer: Cranberry juice or pomegranate syrup
If you want to skip the booze, swap out vodka for lemon-lime soda or white grape juice. For the blue, those bright blue sports drinks actually work surprisingly well, and you can stick with grenadine for the red.
The layering trick still works with all sorts of liquids, as long as they’re not the same density. Heavier (usually sweeter) stuff sinks, lighter stuff floats—it’s kind of fun to play with, honestly.
Just keep in mind, swapping ingredients might nudge the flavor a bit. You may want to tweak the amounts to get the sweetness or tartness where you like it.
