How To Make an Espresso Martini

Andrew Marchant
December 14, 2022
Coffee Blog

The espresso martini has grown in popularity in recent years, and no surprise considering how great it tastes. We have two different recipes for you, one uses an actual espresso, if you have access to one, the other uses cold brew coffee which you can find out how to make here.

Espresso Martini Recipe 1 (with Espresso):

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 ounces of vodka
  • 1.5 ounces of coffee liqueur
  • 1 ounce of fresh espresso
  • 2 teaspoons of sugar or sugar syrup (optional)
espresso-martini

Instructions:

    1. 1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes and pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso.
      1. 2. If desired, add sugar or sugar syrup to sweeten.
        1. 3. Shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
          1. 4. Strain into a martini glass.
            1. 5. Garnish

 

          1. Enjoy your espresso martini!

Recipe 2 (with cold brew)

Cold brew is easier to store and you don’t need an espresso machine to make it. We have our guide to make it here, so go there, make some cold brew coffee and come back to make your pretty delicious Espresso Martinis. We’re being quite loose with the term espresso martini and really we only mean coffee flavoured martini.

espresso-martini-2

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 ounces of vodka
  • 1.5 ounces of coffee liqueur
  • 1.5 ounces of cooled cold brew coffee
  • 1-2 teaspoons of sugar or sugar syrup (optional)

Instructions:

    1. 1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes and pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur, and cold brew coffee.
      1. 2. If desired, add sugar or sugar syrup
        1. 3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
          1. 4. Strain into a chilled martini glass or a rocks glass with ice.
            1. 5. Garnish with a coffee bean or chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

What Coffee Liqueur is best for Espresso Martini?

    There are so many coffee liqueurs available and even though the liqueur in the espresso martini is an optional extra if making with actual espresso, it can provide an interesting depth of flavours. Our pick of the bunch for liqueurs best for espresso martinis are;

    Kahlua

    is the most widely available and reasonably price liqueur and has that deep sweet taste with a full rum undertone from it’s base. It sweetens the martini a bit much to the point you might lose some of you coffee beans flavour.

    ABV 20% 

    kahlua
    Check Prices
    cazcabel
    Check Prices

    Cazcabel

    Cazcabel is the more alcoholic of the recommendations here and has flavour notes of chocolate, caramel and coffee mixed with the familiarity of the tequila.

    Adjust your servings of vodka to balance it out and to reduce the booziness of it.

    ABV 34%

    Mr Black

    Mr Black Coffee Liqueur is sold as an artisan cold brew coffee liqueur, made from wheat vodka so has a soft and smooth taste. This will give your espresso martini a smooth finish and we have found can actually enhance the taste of your specialty beans.

    ABV 25%

    mr-black
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    What garnish works well for Espresso Martini?

      The espresso martini is a great conversation starter so why not make it look the part. Depending on what you have available, here are the best garnish options we think work well for this drink.
      2. – Chocolate Shavings or chocolate powder
        • – Coffee beans
          • – Whipped cream
            • – Crushed Palma Violets
      3. These recipes are just a base for your own exploration, there are many different tweaks that can be made, but if you are starting from a base of great espresso, then the outcome is down to you to experiment until you find something that works for you.
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