Espresso Martini

This perfect espresso martini is an easy and delicious cocktail to make at home, with a rich coffee flavor and creamy Kahlua texture.

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Table of Contents

Espresso Martini Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Espresso Martini Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Our classic espresso martini is a delicious cocktail that will delight coffee lovers. With the rich taste of espresso combined with Kahlua and vodka, this drink will make you feel extra elegant as you sip it.

Espresso Martini Ingredients

Espresso Martini raw ingredients that are labeled

An espresso Martini is a creamy, luxurious cocktail with a delightful blend of flavors.

Coffee lovers will appreciate the taste of rich espresso combined with the sweetness of Kahlua and the smoothness of vodka.

It’s a complex flavor profile that makes this drink truly special – perfect for any special occasion!

You’ll need:

1 cup of ice
1½ ounces of cold-brew espresso coffee concentrate
1½ ounces of Kahlua brand coffee liqueur
1½ ounces of vodka
½ ounce of simple syrup
3 whole coffee beans, optional garnish

PRO TIP:

Be sure you are not using a pre-sweetened or creamed option for your espresso contrate.

Substitutions And Additions

KAHLUA: There are many brands of coffee liqueurs on the market. The most common is the Kahlua brand and Tia Maria, but your favorite brand will work in this recipe.

VODKA: Be sure that you are using a middle-to-top-shelf brand of vodka. Since this is such a simple recipe, you want to make sure you are using good-quality brands.

COFFEE: You can find the espresso cold brew concentrate, where you find standard cold brew in the refrigerated coffee section of your grocery store.

Be sure to use a very strong brew option. The mild or mellow ones are not quite as good in this classic coffee cocktail recipe.

SIMPLE SYRUP: I keep a bottle of store-bought simple syrup in my pantry to use in multiple cocktails. You can make your own simple syrup and store it in your refrigerator, in a squirt bottle, for up to 2 weeks.

You will boil equal parts water and granulated sugar (1 cup & 1 cup) just until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the sugar syrup from the heat and allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a food-grade squirt bottle and refrigerating.

How To Make This Espresso Martini Recipe

This classic martini cocktail will come together in no time in a cocktail shaker. Once you add all the ingredients, give it a good shake and pour it into a martini glass before garnishing it with coffee beans and serving.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can brew fresh espresso if you desire. It needs to be chilled before adding it to this recipe, or the recipe will not turn out as it should.

Do NOT use instant coffee, from the packets, for this espresso vodka cocktail recipe. It just does not turn out quite as tasty.

STEP ONE: Add the ice-cold espresso concentrate, Kahlua coffee liqueur, vodka, and simple syrup to the cup of a cocktail shaker.

ice, espresso concentrate, coffee liqueur, vodka, and syrup added to a cocktail shaker

STEP TWO: Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds or until your espresso martini is nice and frothy.

STEP THREE: Slowly pour, while straining out the ice, the espresso martini into a 6-ounce martini glass.

STEP FOUR: Garnish with 3 whole coffee beans if desired.

PRO TIP:

Do NOT eat the whole coffee beans. They are for garnish only!

Martinie drink garnished with 3 coffee beans

How To Serve

These homemade espresso martinis are the perfect after-dinner drink as a refreshing and unique way to end the meal.

It pairs nicely with sweet desserts like chocolate cake or tiramisu and can also be enjoyed alongside an aged cheese plate.

For something heartier, try serving it with grilled salmon, steak, or pork tenderloin. If you’re looking for something lighter, serve it with fresh fruits like berries and green apples.

Fun cocktails are always the life of the party. Check out our pink flamingo drink and Jolly Rancher drink for two that we love.

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Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: This easy espresso martini needs to be enjoyed immediately. It won’t keep for any length of time in the fridge.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing this coffee martini recipe. It is best made fresh.

Our best espresso martini recipe is an easy and delicious cocktail to make at home. It’s a great after-dinner drink that packs a punch of bold espresso flavor along with the creamy texture of Kahlua.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this espresso martini ahead of time?

This vodka espresso martini is a cocktail that should be made right when you are ready to enjoy it, as it won’t keep for any length of time.

How should I serve an espresso martini?

This great espresso martini should be served chilled in a martini cocktail glass and immediately enjoyed – it won’t keep for any length of time in the fridge.

What is the best vodka to use for this recipe?

We recommend using a decent vodka for this recipe. Choose a good-quality brand that you enjoy drinking.

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Espresso Martini

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This perfect espresso martini is an easy and delicious cocktail to make at home, with a rich coffee flavor and creamy Kahlua texture.

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Ingredients

1 cup ice
1½ ounces cold-brew espresso concentrate
1½ ounces Kahlua brand coffee liqueur
1½ ounces vodka
½ ounce simple syrup
3 whole coffee beans, optional garnish

Instructions

Add the ice, cold-brew espresso concentrate, Kahlua coffee liqueur, vodka, and simple syrup to the cup of a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds or until your espresso martini is nice and frothy.
Slowly pour, while straining out the ice, the espresso martini into a 6-ounce martini glass.
Garnish with 3 whole coffee beans if desired.

Notes

Be sure you are not using a pre-sweetened or creamed option for your espresso contrate.
You can brew fresh espresso if you desire. It needs to be chilled before adding it to this recipe, or the recipe will not turn out as it should. Do NOT use instant coffee, from the packets, for this espresso vodka cocktail recipe. It just does not turn out quite as tasty.
Do NOT eat the whole coffee beans. They are for garnish only!

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!