Learn how to make an espresso martini! This caffeinated cocktail recipe is rich, foamy, smooth, and sweet. Coffee lovers, you have to try it!
Let’s make an espresso martini! This coffee cocktail has had a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. If you like coffee and you’ve never tasted one, you should definitely give this recipe a try.
An espresso martini is smooth, rich, and sweet, with a delightful layer of foam on top. The coffee gives it a kick of caffeine, so it’s a fun beverage to sip at the start of a party (or with brunch!). Its luxe coffee flavor also makes it a perfect post-dinner drink.
I’m sharing a classic espresso martini recipe below, along with tips for making the best version of this cocktail at home. With just 4 ingredients, it’s super simple. You don’t need to be a bartender to master this delicious drink!
Espresso Martini Ingredients
A classic espresso martini consists of these four ingredients:
- Vodka – It gives the cocktail its boozy kick. Use your favorite brand—we like Tito’s.
- Coffee liqueur – The star ingredient in an espresso martini. A coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, gives this cocktail its rich, indulgent coffee flavor.
- A shot of espresso – Freshly brewed is best! Allow it to cool slightly before making your drink.
- Simple syrup – To sweeten your drink to taste. It’s easy to make your own simple syrup with equal parts sugar and water. Learn how with my simple syrup recipe.
You’ll also need ice for shaking the cocktail, and, if you like, coffee or espresso beans for garnish!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make an Espresso Martini
This espresso martini recipe is easy to make. Here’s how to do it:
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled. (Don’t hold back here! Shaking the cocktail well is key for a frothy espresso martini.)
- Pour the mixture through a strainer into a chilled cocktail glass. Use a coupe or martini glass to achieve the classic look!
- Garnish with espresso or coffee beans, and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Let the espresso cool slightly. Fresh espresso is best here, but it shouldn’t be piping hot. If you add hot espresso straight to the cocktail shaker, it will melt the ice and dilute the drink. I like to stick the espresso in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes after brewing to help it cool down.
- Cold brew works too. Don’t have an espresso machine? Use cold brew concentrate instead! If you plan ahead, you can easily make homemade cold brew coffee, but a store-bought concentrate will work too. I like Chameleon Cold Brew and Bizzy Cold Brew.
- Sweeten as desired. I call for 1/2 ounce simple syrup in this recipe. I like this level of sweetness—it’s sweet, but not too sweet. That said, the coffee liqueur already adds some sweetness to this recipe. If you don’t want your drink to be verging on a dessert cocktail, you can omit the simple syrup or use less.
- Use a different liquor. Love a gin martini? Try using gin in this recipe instead of vodka.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you love this espresso martini recipe, try one of these classic cocktails next:
Espresso Martini
Serves 1
This classic espresso martini recipe is easy to make at home! Rich, smooth, and frothy, this coffee cocktail is great for brunch, happy hour, or as an after-dinner drink.
Prevent your screen from going dark
-
Place the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso or cold brew, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until well chilled.
-
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, ideally a coupe glass or martini glass.
-
Garnish with coffee beans and serve.
*Allow the espresso to cool slightly before adding it to the cocktail shaker. You don’t want it to melt the ice!
+ There are no comments
Add yours