Espresso Martini is what you make for after dinner drinks, or when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to fall behind the pack on a night out with your mates! Dangerously drinkable with a good slog of liquor, this coffee cocktail is made with espresso, vodka and Kahlua.
Espresso Martini
As a shameless coffee addict, this is hands down one of my favourite cocktails. I order it when I need a pick-me-up at social gatherings. I order it at nice restaurants to have alongside dessert – or in lieu of dessert.
I’d happily order it all night long except that I try (operative word here being try!) to be sensible about my caffein intake so I usually limit myself to two at most!
What you need
Here’s what you need for an espresso martini – just espresso coffee, vodka and Kahlua!
What is Kahlua?
Kahlua is a coffee flavoured liquor from Mexico. It’s sweet and has a thin syrup consistency.
The best substitute for Kahlua is an alternative brand of coffee liquor. I’ve seen some at my local liquor store, and I’d be surprised if Aldi didn’t have a knock-off bargain version!
People quite often get confused of the difference between Kahlua and Baileys. The difference is that Baileys Irish Cream is made with Irish Whiskey and cream, and is a pale brown cream colour. On the other hand, Kahlua is a dark brown colour, the colour of coffee.
But more importantly, Kahlua has a coffee flavour which is necessary for a great Espresso Martini, whereas Baileys tastes like sweet rum flavoured cream. Both are delicious straight, over ice!
How much alcohol is in an Espresso Martini?
It’s got a fairly high alcohol content – 60 ml / 2 oz combined total of vodka and Kahlua which equals 2 standard drinks.
Even though it’s got a decent slog of alcohol in it, it’s highly drinkable because the coffee flavour disguises the alcohol – so be warned!!
How to make it
And here’s how to make it an espresso martini. Just shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice, and voila!
KEY TIP! Cool coffee prior to use otherwise it will melt the ice and dilute the flavour.
How do you make an espresso martini frothy?
To get the lovely signature frothy layer on the surface of your Espresso Martini, you need to use real espresso coffee from a proper coffee machine that gives you a nice crema (ie the velvety layer of foam on the espresso). Using instant coffee granules, a French Press or similar won’t give you the same result, no matter how vigorously you shake the cocktail shaker.
HOT TIP! If you don’t have a proper coffee machine, just add egg white. It won’t alter the taste or texture of the cocktail but once you shake it up, you’ll end up with an awesome froth on the surface. You need the foam for the coffee beans to float on the surface.
When and what to serve with Espresso Martini
Make this an after dinner cocktail by serving it alongside bowls of caramel popcorn (or Christmas Popcorn Candy if it’s that time of year!) or platters of Chocolate Covered Strawberries that people can graze on
If you’re a coffee lover, go all out with Tiramisu, everybody’s favourite coffee flavoured Italian dessert. Or try it with a classic Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting – because chocolate and coffee? 100% perfect!
Enjoy! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 40ml / 1 1/3oz Vodka
- 20ml (2/3 oz) Kahlua
- 20ml (2/3 oz) espresso coffee , cooled
- 3 coffee beans , garnish
Instructions
- Place the vodka, kahlua and espresso in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously 10 times, then pour briskly into a cocktail glass. (Scrape out foam inside if necessary)
- Garnish wtih 3 coffee beans and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes:
- Cool the coffee so it doesn't melt the ice = won't dilute drink flavour
- Espresso coffee from a proper coffee machine = nice crema (foam) on coffee = nice foam layer on surface of Espresso Martini
- Can't get foam on Espresso Martini with coffee granules, French Press coffee marker or similar. Need a proper machine!
- No coffee machine? Cheat! Add 1/2 egg white and shake, it will create a gorgeous foam layer but you will not be able to taste it at all!
- Need foam for the coffee beans to float!
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
That time he couldn’t figure out how to get out the dog door with this new toy snake…. 🙄
when I was in the Australian army back in the 1960’s, we used to make ‘pretend’ expresso coffee with instant coffee granules/powder. Cream your coffee granules/powder with a little bit of water until it becomes a pale paste. Top with hot water and voila! foam on top!!
This martini looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
I have never made or had a espresso martini but i have had a salted caramel espresso martini. Would this be something you would look into for your cocktail recipes
You can get foam with stove top coffee, and probably French press, without egg white if you use the right ice. A combo of one really big cube (like you would use in a rocks glass with whiskey) and regular cubes shaken hard produces excellent foam. Also recommend Mr Black coffee liqueur if you like a less sweet, more authentic coffee flavor. If you really want to take it up a notch, swap the vodka for coffee flavoured rum!
Thanks for those tips Karly!!! N x
Love recipetineats!
BUT! For this drink to be it’s best please try….
*fresh HOT espresso from yr machine. Really! Just add it to the shaker last and dilution will be perfect as long as you fill that shaker with ice (as if you wouldn’t!)
*Different vodkas/coffees/liqueurs offer different flavour profiles so taste it before you serve it. You may need sugar or maybe more coffee,
*it’s not standard but a dash of orange bitters and a dash of chocolate bitters really adds some eyebrow raising flavour.
Finally, this martini (like all martinis) really takes a twist well so any citrus peel you have laying around…..twist it.
The coffee beans are tradition but many folk see them as ballast to throw at friends. Not a lot of flavour or aroma added by a bean. It is a garnish in the true sense of the word.
Salut mes ami!
Love your recipes! Quick one – I can’t have vodka, would you recommend white rum as a substitute or do you have a better idea? Thanks!
What is a 1/2 egg white? If I’m getting it from the little carton of egg whites instead of an actual egg, would that work? If so, how much? Tablespoon? More/less?
After a work weekend, with energy levels down about ankle height, it probably would be wiser to have a healthy smoothie or something. I do not, however, listen to myself, so here I am watching Restaurants at the Edge on Netflix, fantasizing about traveling and really enjoying an Espresso Martini. It is GOOD❣️
Have a smoothie tomorrow.. tonight, relax! N x
This website is now complete!
And all it took was a Martini recipe?! 😂
Are you sure that Bailey’s is made with rum and not whiskey?
Not so much sugar cane in Ireland,you know?
Baileys is made with Irish whiskey
Clearly I had too many of these when I wrote the post! 😂 thanks Sean, updated – N x
The recipe for expresso martini is it for one
Thank you for sharing your recipes they are great …
Thanks for this recipe! How would you make this with instant coffee? Wish I had a proper machine but unfortunately I don’t
Like Emma, no espresso coffee machine, bummer. Would instant coffee be ok
You could always get a couple of coffees from your local cafe…
Thanks, I’ll definetly do this
I love this drink but leave the ice in. I’ve actually made a modified version for years using leftover coffee (half and half expresso beans). I just fill a glass with crushed ice and use about 1/3 of each of the coffee and liquors. It is easy to drink and is better your way but it lasts longer and is faster my way. Since I love it, the calorie count also stays down.