Cruise passengers tend to like tropical drinks, at least when cruising in warm climates. Many order classics like daquiris, pina coladas, mojitos and other tropical favorites.
Most cruise lines, however, have leaned into mixology trends where the definition of a martini has gone far beyond the classic vodka or gin variations. Calling a drink that doesn't have much spirit a martini gives it a more elegant feel and makes it more accessible.
Related: Drink of the Week: Caribbean Mule on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
Many adults would balk at ordering a Mudslide away from the pool or beach, but would be happy to drink “Chocolate Martinis” all night. There's a subtle difference between the frozen concoctions popular when people are in swimsuits and the fancier variations served at night in martini glasses.
Aggie from India joined Dennis Post of Postcard Travel Planning on the Norwegian Jade to demonstrate a version of this growing trend.
Meet the Chocolate Banshee Banshee Martini
Many cruise ships now have signature Martini bars. The most famous are the cold bars found on many Celebrity cruises. At those popular bars, the bartenders put on a show and the menu offers dozens of versions of the classic drink.
Norwegian Jade offers multiple Martini variants and Aggie shows us one of the most popular drinks she makes, the Chocolate Banana Martini at the cruise line's exclusive O'Sheehan's Bar & Grill.
Chocolate and Banana Martini Recipe:
- 1.5 ounces Kettel One vodka
- 1 oz banana cream
- 1 ounce Irish cream
- Pour into a chilled tall glass and shake.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
After pouring the drink into her glass, Aggie has a few tricks left. She takes half and half and beats it with grenadine to make a foam that covers half the glass. She then uses chocolate syrup to decorate the top of the drink (in this case, she adds chocolate hearts and the word “postcard” for Postcard Travel Planning).
