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Need an after-dinner drink with a caffeinated kick? This Espresso Martini recipe is a coffee-flavored cocktail made with espresso, Kahlúa, vodka, and simple syrup. It’ll boost your spirits (in every sense of the word) and it’s sweet and creamy enough to double as dessert, too.
Meggan’s notes
As a classically-trained chef with loads of cocktail-making experience, I nailed down the ideal Espresso Martini recipe. The secret to the best Espresso Martini is to layer the ingredients with overlapping flavors to magnify their taste.
Pair classic espresso with Kahlúa, a coffee-flavored liqueur, to double up on the coffee flavor. Accentuate the vanilla notes in Kahlúa with heavy cream so every sip tastes rich. Simple syrup adds to the sweetness of Kahlùa’s caramel notes without the grittiness of straight sugar.
This smooth, creamy cocktail recipe is said to have been created by British mixologist Dick Bradsell. It was originally called the “Vodka Espresso,” later renamed to “Pharmaceutical Stimulant,” and now, the easy cocktail recipe goes by its signature and simple name: the Espresso Martini.
Kahlua Espresso Martini Ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
- Vodka: Any quality brand vodka works here. Try Absolut, Grey Goose, Smirnoff, Belvedere, or Ketel One.
- Espresso: Cold brew coffee concentrate is an excellent alternative if you don’t own an espresso machine.
- Heavy cream: For the richest results, choose heavy cream. Light cream or half and half also work, but will give you a slightly less decadent texture due to the lower fat content.
- Kahlúa: Or substitute any coffee-flavored liqueur such as Tia Maria or Bailey’s espresso.
- Simple syrup: For homemade simple syrup, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool. You can also look for simple syrup in bottles at grocery and liquor stores.
- Coffee beans: To represent health, wealth, and happiness, the trademark Espresso Martini topping is three coffee beans. You could also sprinkle on chocolate curls or rim the glass with chocolate sauce.
How to Make a Perfectly Creamy Espresso Martini
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, add vodka, espresso, heavy cream, Kahlúa, and syrup. Stir or shake until well combined and chilled.
- Strain martini mixture into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Tips For Making An At Home Espresso Martini
- Yield: Each Espresso Martini recipe as written makes one 4-ounce cocktail.
- Glassware: Martinis are traditionally served in a cocktail glass with a very fitting name: martini glass.
- Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) vodka, 8 ounces (1 cup) espresso, and 8 ounces (1 cup) heavy cream, 4 ounces (½ cup) Kahlúa, and 4 ounces (½ cup) simple syrup in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, and coffee beans for garnish on hand so guests can help themselves.
- Non-alcoholic Espresso Martini: Omit the vodka and replace the Kahlúa and cream with 3 tablespoons of Kahlúa and Crème Flavored Coffee Creamer.
Best Vodka for Espresso Martini
I reach for a high-quality brand of vodka such as Grey Goose, Absolut, Smirnoff, Belvedere, or Ketel One. But honestly, whatever brand you already have in your cabinet will work. Vodka is a neutral-flavored alcohol here to provide buzz rather than flavor.
Best Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martini
I love Kahlùa for its strong coffee flavor and soft caramel and vanilla notes. I think it’s the best coffee liqueur for an Espresso Martini. You may substitute any coffee-flavored liqueur. Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur is a popular choice for Espresso martinis, too. Bailey’s Espresso cream works too and has actual cream in the bottle along with hints of cocoa.
How to Make Espresso Martini
Espresso Martinis can be shaken or stirred. You can either stir in a mixing glass or add to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Simply combine the vodka, espresso, heavy cream, Kahlúa, and simple syrup. Stir or shake until well combined and chilled, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with three coffee beans or your other favorite garnish(es). A dusting of cocoa powder works well, too, especially if you’re using Bailey’s Espresso Cream instead of Kahlúa.
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Espresso Martini With Cream
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka (4 tablespoons)
- 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso (2 tablespoons, see note 1)
- 1 ounce heavy cream (see note 2)
- 1/2 ounce Kahlúa (2 tablespoons, see note 3)
- ½ ounce simple syrup (see note 4)
- 3 coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, add vodka, espresso, heavy cream, Kahlúa, and syrup. Stir or shake until well combined and chilled.
- Strain martini mixture into a well-chilled martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Espresso: Cold brew coffee concentrate is an excellent alternative if you don’t own an espresso machine.
- Heavy cream: For the richest results, choose heavy cream. Light cream or half and half also work, but will give you a slightly less decadent texture due to the lower fat content.
- Kahlúa: Or substitute any coffee-flavored liqueur such as Tia Maria or Bailey’s espresso.
- Simple syrup: For homemade simple syrup, in a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 c. water and 1 c. sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool. You can also look for simple syrup in bottles at grocery and liquor stores.
- Yield: Each Espresso Martini recipe as written makes one 4-oz. cocktail.
Amazing and super simple! I used a cold brew espresso concentrate and it worked perfectly!
Hi Jackie, thank you so much! I appreciate the comment and I’m so happy that you loved it. It’s such a tasty cocktail. Thank you again! -Meggan