Best Espresso Martini Recipe

The perfect after-dinner drink, this Espresso Martini Recipe, sometimes called an Vodka Espresso, is the ultimate cocktail for coffee lovers. So whip out that espresso machine and get to shaking!

 

This strongly flavored cocktail can be enjoyed any time during the day (I won’t judge if you swap out your orange crush cocktail for a coffee infused drink) or night for a pick-me-up. Or even a morning eye-opener instead of Irish coffee.

History of the Espresso Martini

While there are probably a million recipes for this coffee cocktail out there, it is said that a man named Dick Bradsell is the original creator. He is a British bartender that is known for his innovative and fun cocktails like this classic espresso martini. Working in London, he created many classic cocktails that gained huge popularity through the decades.

In the grand scheme of things, this dessert cocktail hasn’t been around that long, only since the 1980s. It was created to be a boozy way to give you the after-meal pick up that an espresso would, but still keep that buzz.

Some might say it isn’t a true martini because it doesn’t have any gin or vermouth, but now days there are plenty of martini cocktails that don’t have either and still fall in to the category.

Are Coffee Beans Edible?

Sure, you grind beans to make coffee grounds and then use that to brew coffee; but are the beans themselves edible?

They sure are! In fact, you can actually buy them covered in chocolate. Coffee beans present come benefits like boosting energy with the caffeine and lowering your risk for certain diseases with antioxidants.

You can even use these to garnish your drink. I recently came across caramel mocha coffee beans that were delightfully delicious!

Espresso Martini Ingredients

If you enjoy cocktails and coffee, chances are you have these items in your kitchen or bar. So of course the next questions is naturally… what kind of alcohol is in an great espresso martini?

• Fresh espresso – You can have an espresso martini recipe without espresso, right? I prefer mine to be freshly brewed with a strong coffee flavor. However, you will need to allow time for it to chill.
• Vodka – Be sure to use a good quality vodka here. My favorite is Tito’s, but you can also use Grey Goose or even an espresso flavored vodka to really amp of the flavor.
• Coffee liqueur – The most common brand that we all know and love is Kahlúa. You can also use Bailey’s Irish Cream or creme de cocoa. This is what will make it creamy, if you are into that. If not, simply omit this ingredient.
• Simple syrup – This is simply a blend of sugar and water and easily made at home. You can also use any flavored syrup that you would add to coffee. This is optional, but I like how it balances the bitter.
• Bailey’s – This is a creamy liqueur that is super popular around St. Patrick’s Day. But adding some to our espresso martini makes it perfectly creamy.
• Coffee beans – I love the way a traditional espresso martini looks with a few coffee beans added for garnish!

Variations on the Best Espresso Martini

The best thing about the cocktail world? As long as you think it tastes good, that means it’s a good cocktail. Use these suggestions to make your best coffee cocktails.

• Flavored syrups – The original recipe calls for simple syrup (sugar syrup), but feel free to play around with the flavors. A vanilla or hazelnut syrup would be a great complement to the espresso flavor.
• Vodka – For an even stronger coffee flavor, you can use espresso vodka instead of plain. Van Gogh makes a great one.
• Coffee beans – Take your coffee beans up a notch and use chocolate covered espresso beans instead. They’re amazing and totally add to the experience.
• Pinch of Salt– Salt is great for a salty and sweet moment, but salt makes coffee less bitter. Just a pinch is all you need!

How to Make an Espresso Martini

Grab your shaker, this martini couldn’t be easier to make!

1. Make espresso. Brew the espresso and place it in the refrigerator to let it chill. 
2. Combine ingredients. Place the chilled espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with 1 cup of ice. Shake vigorously so it gets frothy- even get a foamy top. The amount of simple syrup will vary depending on your taste.
3. Strain into glass. Using a strainer, pour into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans, if desired. Martini glasses are fun, but use any cocktail glass you love, like a coupe glass.

Can I Make an Espresso Martini Without an Espresso Machine?

You sure can! There are a few hacks on how to make this jolty cocktail with a true espresso machine. If using regular coffee, opt for a dark roast.

• Cold brew – Don’t have an espresso machine? No problem! You can use a cold brew concentrate as an alternate to the espresso.
• Espresso powder – For best results, I like using fresh espresso, but you can always use espresso powder if you’re in a pinch. It’s like instant coffee, but commonly used to enhance chocolatey baked goods.
• Keurig or Pod Coffee Make– Many pod style coffee makers have a setting to make an espresso or a small up of coffee (6 ounces) and make it “strong”. Use this option.
• French Press– You know the fancy little machines you see real coffee snobs (sorry, not sorry!) using- grab one of those.

Tips & Tricks

Here are a few tips to make you the Tom Cruise Cocktail bartender you want to be and look like a professional!

• Cool the coffee after brewing it or it’ll melt the ice and you won’t have a nice chilled cocktail. No one wants a warm martini. Don’t dilute it by putting ice in, instead place it in the freezer. You can also make a large batch of espresso before you know you are making them and place it in a pitcher in the fridge for easy use.
• To get the iconic foam, shake the shaker super hard and use those biceps!
• When pouring the cocktail, do it fast so the foam stays on top. Gently place the coffee beans on top so they don’t sink.
• Use crushed ice instead of ice cubes, this will chill it faster without watering it down.

How to Make Simple Syrup at Home

If you don’t have bottled simple syrup you can easily make it at home.

1. The formula for simple syrup is one part water to one part sugar. Place these in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. It might still look a little watery, don’t worry, it will thicken as it cools.
2. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool completely before using.
3. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. It can also last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but will harden a tad, so take it out a bit before using it to let it come to temperature.

More Fun Cocktail Recipes

Cheers! We love a good cocktail and mocktail around this house. Here are a few more fun ones to serve.