PREP TIME 10 min
There’s nothing like a coffee cocktail for a shot of energy and the crowd-pleasing Espresso Martini is best served as a digestif or after-dinner drink due to its rich caffeine content. Our divinely simple Espresso Martini recipe makes it easy to adapt to your guests’ tastes, such as adding sweeter liqueurs like coconut or salted caramel for a more indulgent treat.
Add all of the liquid ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice
Shake vigorously until chilled (this is crucial to give the cocktail it’s iconic foamy top)
Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass
Garnish with whole coffee beans, if you want, and enjoy!
Legend has it that the Espresso Martini was invented by British bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Club in London. One day, a top model walked into his bar and asked for something strong for a quick wake-up. Bradsell mixed vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of fresh espresso, creating the perfect after-dinner drink that’s still one of our favorite types of Martinis today.
It’s typically garnished with three coffee beans atop the foam, laid out in a triangle shape to represent health, wealth, and happiness. Aw!
The foam is arguably the most enjoyable part of an Espresso Martini. To get the perfect foam, make sure you shake your cocktail very vigorously for at least 20 seconds, as the natural oils in the coffee must combine with the air bubbles in order to create the foam.
Another tip is to use freshly brewed espresso, including the crema (foam that comes out of the espresso machine). The quantity of coffee liqueur is also a key factor in creating an impressive foam. If, after shaking, your drink is still looking quite flat, try adding more liqueur before shaking again and it should do the trick.
Finally, don’t let your shaken cocktail sit for too long or the foam will start dissolving.
The simplicity of the Espresso Martini lends itself to many tasty variations. If want a more luxurious dessert cocktail that’s sweeter and creamier, combine a Chocolate Martini with an Espresso Martini to create a Mocha Martini. For extra indulgence, choose a vanilla-flavored vodka.
You can also swap the vodka for bourbon, if you’re more of a whisky lover, or you can even swap in tequila for an unexpected twist. Adding a dash of nut liqueur, like amaretto, will enrich your drink with a flavourful aftertaste.
