
Wish to make an unimaginable espresso martini at house? Make this recipe! I’ve fallen in love with espresso martinis these days and perfected my method. Espresso martinis supply wealthy, daring espresso taste with a balanced degree of sweetness. They’re a stunning celebratory drink to clink after an extended week or earlier than a vacation gathering.
You may tailor your espresso martini to your preferences. You’ll discover clues in the way you order your morning espresso. Do you prefer it black or sweetened? Do you like espresso or chilly brew? In relation to cocktails, do you get pleasure from vodka, gin or tequila? My trick to creating the very best selfmade espresso martini is utilizing chilly brew espresso! Learn on to study why.


An espresso martini provides a jolt of caffeine, so it’s the right cocktail to sip earlier than a celebration. It additionally tastes wealthy and indulgent, making a stunning after-dinner drink as an alternative of scorching espresso. I usually can’t drink espresso previous midday and nonetheless go to sleep at evening, however I can handle one espresso martini—and gladly do.
Although the cocktail was invented within the 80s, I not often obtained a request for one throughout my time as a bartender round 2010. The espresso martini is experiencing a resurgence in reputation, and you’ll rely me as a fan. Let’s make one.


Espresso Martini Components
Vodka
Vodka is normal in an espresso martini. It’s the spirit to decide on if you would like an espresso martini that tastes like the type you order at eating places. (In case you’re all in favour of enjoyable selfmade variations, attempt the tequila or gin variations provided beneath.)
Any top quality vodka will do, resembling Tito’s or Gray Goose. I’ve heard that Costco’s Kirkland Signature French Vodka is a wonderful and budget-friendly choice, however I haven’t tried it but.
Chilly brew focus or freshly brewed espresso
Contemporary machine-brewed espresso is normal in espresso martinis and provides a fantastically foamy prime that helps a garnish of entire espresso beans (three for good luck!). You would order espresso to-go out of your favourite espresso store, however by the point you get house and make martinis, its foaming capability might be considerably diminished (I attempted).
This can be controversial, however I like to recommend chilly brew focus for selfmade espresso martinis for those who don’t have a flowery espresso machine at house. In reality, I desire the flavour of chilly brew in my espresso martinis. It’s smoother and nicer and doesn’t require as a lot sweetener for stability. Attempt it, and also you’ll see.
The photographs on this publish depict the chilly brew model. I wished to supply a practical depiction of this recipe, which, regardless of the dearth of froth, continues to be stunning with swirls on prime. In case you’re fortunate sufficient to have an espresso machine at house, you’ll discover steering within the recipe beneath. I discovered probably the most balanced taste through the use of much less espresso than chilly brew focus.
Purchase chilly brew focus on the retailer (I really like Chameleon model) or make your personal chilly brew focus with 12 to 18 hours of advance planning.
Espresso liqueur
I attempted a number of espresso liqueurs in my quest to make the very best selfmade espresso martini. Traditional Kahlúa got here out on prime! It provides wealthy espresso taste with an affordable degree of sweetness. Use your further Kahlúa to make White Russians.
For the document, I additionally tried Mr. Black, which might be my next-best advice. It’s cold-brewed and fewer candy than Kahlúa, so I didn’t love my drink till I added ¼ to ½ teaspoon maple syrup. Regardless of the gorgeous packaging, St. George NOLA Espresso Liqueur was my least favourite as a result of it tasted like previous espresso (possibly it was the chicory?). Negroni and Americano Cocktail lovers will get pleasure from J. Rieger Co.’s Caffé Amaro, which provides some bitter complexity.
Elective sweetener
I desire frivolously sweetened drinks, and my cocktail tastes properly balanced with the quantity of Kahlúa provided within the recipe beneath. Sweetness ranges are extremely private, so that you may like so as to add a contact of easy syrup or actual maple syrup.
The recipe beneath gives steering. Don’t hesitate to make use of maple syrup— its refined taste performs properly with the espresso notes.
Watch Tips on how to Make Espresso Martinis

Espresso Martini Variations
Tequila
That is my favourite variation. In case you are a tequila drinker, attempt making this recipe with silver (blanco) tequila. I examined this feature with Casamigos and liked it. Garnish with a twist of orange peel for a drink that tastes higher than a twenty-dollar cocktail out of your favourite speakeasy. I’m obsessed!
Gin
My mates instructed me to attempt gin in an espresso martini, they usually weren’t improper. In case you desire a gin-based martini, this feature is correct up your alley. I used a domestically produced, London-style dry gin made by J. Rieger Co. As anticipated, an espresso martini made with gin tastes extra complicated, with aromatic notes of juniper which can be considerably subdued by the espresso.
Affogato-Fashion
An affogato is a traditional dessert that includes a shot of scorching espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a dessert cocktail, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a sturdy cocktail glass and pour your drink on prime.

Extra Cocktails to Make
Listed below are a number of of my prime traditional cocktail recipes. Browse my cocktail archives for a lot of extra.
Please let me understand how your espresso martini seems within the feedback! I really like listening to from you.

Home made Espresso Martini
Make the very best espresso martini with this recipe! Use chilly brew focus for ease and superb taste, or contemporary espresso for a luxuriously foamy prime. Recipe makes 1 cocktail; you’ll be able to multiply the substances by 2 or 3 and make them all of sudden in a big cocktail shaker.
- Chill your martini glass or coupe glass by filling it to the brim with ice and water. Set your glass apart.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour within the vodka, espresso and Kahlúa (don’t add sweetener but). Securely fasten the lid and shake the combination for about 20 seconds, or till the skin of the shaker is totally ice chilly. Style a bit of sip, and if you need the combination to be sweeter, add maple syrup or easy syrup in ¼ to ½ teaspoon increments, then gently shake once more.
- Discard the ice water in your glass and gently shake out any cussed water droplets. Pressure the combination into your ready glass. In case you used contemporary espresso, you’ll be able to gently prime the drink with 3 espresso beans for good luck (they don’t float on the chilly brew model). Take pleasure in promptly.
Vitamin
The knowledge proven is an estimate supplied by a web-based vitamin calculator. It shouldn’t be thought of an alternative choice to knowledgeable nutritionist’s recommendation. See our full vitamin disclosure right here.