The Best Espresso Martini (2024)

Energize yourself through the night with the best espresso martini recipe. This dairy-free bold and boozy espresso martini is made with three simple ingredients— vodka, Kahlua, and espresso and is the perfect after-dinner co*cktail.

Espresso martinis are having a moment right now. I have seen them popping up all over social media, on almost every restaurant menu, and have heard rave reviews from family and friends. They are fun, flirty, bold, and delicious which is the perfect type of energy we need as we enter this new year. If “new year new me” was a co*cktail it would be the Espresso Martini. If you are looking for more holiday co*cktails, check out my Peppermint White Russian as well.

What is an espresso martini?

An espresso martini is a sweet, rich, smooth, and dangerously addicting co*cktail that is made with vodka, Kahlua, and espresso. It tastes similar to a lightly sweetened iced espresso with a splash of vodka in it. The rich coffee flavor cuts the alcohol flavor making this co*cktail dangerously easy to drink. So sip responsibly!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

This espresso martini recipe is really easy and only needs two items of kitchen equipment.

• co*cktail shaker: you will need a co*cktail shaker to shake up all the ingredients with ice in this co*cktail. I bought this co*cktail shaker kit on Amazon and have used it for all of my co*cktails!
• Espresso Machine: you will need an espresso machine to create this co*cktail at home. Alternatively, you can buy espresso at your local coffee shop and bring it home to create this co*cktail.

Ingredients

This espresso martini recipe only contains four ingredients.

1. Vodka: use your favorite vodka. My go-to is always Tito’s. If you want a sweeter and more vanilla-flavored co*cktail, I recommend using Absolut vanilla-flavored vodka.
2. Kahlua or coffee liqueur: Kahlua is a coffee and rum liqueur that adds a delicious bold flavoring to the co*cktail. (You can also use Kahlua in my Tiramisu cake recipe as well!)
3. Espresso: make sure to use strong espresso coffee preferably brewed in an espresso machine with a lot of froth.
4. Simple Syrup: this is used to sweeten the co*cktail. If you prefer a stronger bolder coffee flavor you can eliminate the simple syrup altogether. You can buy simple syrup in bottles or make it by boiling a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water until the sugar dissolves and cooling it before using.

Substitutions

If you want to level up this espresso martini recipe, here are some suggestions for different flavor profiles.

• Vanilla Vodka: instead of regular vodka, if you want a more subtle kick I recommend adding Absolut Vanilla vodka for a smoother finish.
• Vanilla Syrup: if you tend to like your co*cktails even sweeter then add vanilla syrup instead of simple syrup.
• Caramel Syrup: if you want a more caramel flavor add caramel syrup instead of simple syrup.
• Hazelnut Syrup: if you want a more chocolatey nutty espresso martini use hazelnut syrup instead of simple syrup.
• Peppermint Syrup: for a fun holiday spin try using peppermint syrup for a delicious minty taste!

Espresso Substitutes

If fresh espresso isn’t available, you can substitute it with a strong coffee alternative like Vietnamese Coffee or your choice of Cold Brew.

How To Make The Best Espresso Martini

With such a short ingredient list, the instructions for this espresso martini recipe are just as easy to follow. Here is exactly how you make the best Kahlua espresso martini:

1. Brew the espresso. Brew the espresso in your espresso machine, or Nespresso machine or simply buy espresso from your local coffee shop. Cool and set aside.
2. Shake. In a co*cktail shaker, combine the espresso, vodka, and Kahlua with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed and the foam has formed.
3. Strain and serve. Immediately, strain the Kahlua espresso martini into a co*cktail glass. Dust with espresso powder and coffee beans for garnish. Sip responsibly!

Frequently Asked Q&A’s

What makes the foam on top of an espresso martini?

The beautiful froth on top of this Kahlua espresso martini comes from the espresso that was used. Typically an espresso brewed from an espresso machine will naturally produce this result. You will not get this beautiful foam by using instant coffee or using a French press.

To create the foam, make sure you shake your shaker hard so that the natural oils in the coffee can combine with the air bubbles. After you shake the co*cktail, tap and swirl the shaker to ensure a creamy foam on the top of your martini.

What if I don’t have an espresso machine?

If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can simply brew really strong coffee and add an egg white to the shaker and shake vigorously. This will generate the foam you want as well.

What is the significance of the three coffee beans on top?

The three floating beans come from the traditional serving of Sambuca in Italy. The three beans are called con la Mosca, meaning “with the fly.” They represent health, wealth, and happiness.

Did you try this Espresso Martini recipe?