The History of the Pornstar Martini

In 2018, the Pornstar Martini was named as the UK’s favourite cocktail, cementing its
place on cocktail lists around the country. It may not be the most refined
drink, and its name is certainly more tongue-in-cheek than sophisticated, but
this sweet, fruity beverage is easy to drink and looks incredible.

There is a certain amount of theatre that comes from the ordering of a Pornstar Martini.
It requires all the usual cocktail tricks, using a shaker and strainer to
create a smooth experience, but it also comes with a shot of Prosecco. This can
be added to the drink or downed prior to the cocktail, depending on your
preference. Even the glass and garnish have a certain j’en ai sais quoi about
them that adds to the appeal. So, where did this modern classic come from?

Who Invented the Pornstar Martini?

In 1999, Douglas Ankrah was walking to work on a warm summer's morning and had an idea that would soon see his popularity behind the Lab Bar soar. He decided to take three of the most popular flavours of the moment: vodka, Prosecco and passion fruit and put them together in a drink. When he got to work he was able to play with the measures and the Maverick Martini was born.

This delicious combination of passion fruits, vanilla vodka, Passoa, lime juice,
sugar and Prosecco was an immediate hit, but the name didn’t seem to fit.
Ankrah chose to give his creation a new moniker: the Pornstar Martini, because
he felt that it was a drink that a pornstar would drink. This helped to elevate
the status of the cocktail further, as people were drawn to the jocular title
and irresistible ingredients.

Ankrah’s Legacy

Unfortunately for the cocktail world, Douglas Ankrah peacefully passed away in August, at the age of 51. As well as creating the Pornstar Martini, a top ten cocktail around the world, he was also responsible for the bottling of the drink so that people could enjoy a pre-mixed version of their favourite beverage. He helped to found the Lab Bar, which started life as a bartending course, churning out some of the world’s best bartenders. It soon became one of the most popular drinking spots in London. He then created Townhouse, another drinking establishment that quickly became a success. Ankrah also wrote many cocktail books, keen to help as many people as possible enjoy the bartending life.