The espresso martini is a dessert for any coffee lover, and the perfect after dinner drink. Our classic espresso martini is rich with flavor and smooth with its velvety top. This post is meant for an audience 21 and over.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
When I can have a cocktail and coffee at the same time, you bet I'll be enjoying this party! Whether you're using machine-brewed espresso, instant espresso, or even freshly made espresso in your French press you'll still be able to enjoy an espresso martini too!
Espresso martinis can truly be enjoyed any time of the year. Our delicious Bourbon Martini, Hennessy Sidecar, and last but not least this warm Irish Coffee can as well.
Espresso Martini Ingredients
- Vodka - Use your favorite unflavored vodka. You could opt for a coffee flavor vodka if you want the extra strong coffee flavor, or are missing other key ingredients.
- Freshly brewed espresso - Not everyone has access to fresh espresso coffee. You can use instant espresso, instant coffee, or a cold brew concentrate.
- Coffee liqueur - Like Kahlua or other coffee liquor.
- Simple syrup - Optional for sweetness. Simple syrup can be store-bought or homemade with an easy recipe of 1:1 sugar and water for sweet sugar syrup.
- Coffee beans - A few coffee beans for garnish.
Tools needed for this recipe
- Cocktail Shaker
- Martini Glass
How To Make An Espresso Martini
Brew a fresh shot of espresso and let it cool
Add the vodka, cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to the cocktail shaker and fill the shaker with ice.
Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This ensures all the ingredients are well mixed and the cocktail has a little foam.
Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish the espresso martini with 3 coffee beans. Serve immediately.
How to serve an espresso martini
For the best experience with an espresso martini, you'll want to serve it in a chilled glass and enjoy it immediately.
Serve your freshly made coffee cocktail with a side of other dessert items like chocolate-covered coffee beans, chocolate biscotti, or even a small scoop of French vanilla ice cream.
Espresso Martini Variations
Chocolate: Swirl chocolate syrup around the inside of your glass or just on the rim. You can also, along with the coffee beans, add some shaved chocolate to the top.
Spiced: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cocktail shaker or just lightly dust some on top of your finished cocktail.
Vanilla: Use a vanilla vodka, or a dash of vanilla syrup or extract to the cocktail shaker before shaking.
No Cocktail Shaker, No Problem
You can still whip up a delicious cocktail without a shaker. Here are a couple of options if you find yourself without one:
- Mason Jar with a lid tightly sealed
- Blender
- Any container with a secure enough lid to endure shaking for 20-30 seconds without falling off.
Strain using a fine mesh strainer, or sifter.
FAQ's
The three coffee beans represent health, happiness, and wealth.
To acquire that silky foam on top, first, you'll want to shake the cocktail ingredients with ice for 20-30 seconds. Secondly, double straining your cocktail either through the shaker cup or a Hawthorne shaker, then again with a fine mesh strainer will introduce more air and greatly reduce the amount of ice that comes through leaving your cocktail silky smooth with a nice layer of foam on top.
Expert Tips
- If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use instant espresso.
- For the best experience, chill the martini glass ahead of time.
Looking for more cocktail recipes? Try these out:
- Peanut Butter Cup Martini
- Watermelon Mimosa
- Sour Apple Martini
- Bourbon Martini
- Classic Margarita Recipe
- Jamaican Guinness Punch
If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 1 ounce Freshly brewed espresso *see note
- 1 ounce Coffee liqueur such as Kahlua
- .5 ounces Simple syrup optional, to taste
- Ice
- 3 Coffee beans garnish
Instructions
- Brew a fresh shot of espresso and let it cool
- Add the vodka, cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to the cocktail shaker and fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This ensures all the ingredients are well mixed and the cocktail has a little foam.
- Strain the mixture into a martini glass. Garnish the espresso martini with 3 coffee beans. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use instant espresso.
- For the best experience, chill the martini glass ahead of time.
- The three coffee beans represent health, happiness, and wealth.
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