Indulge in the sophisticated world of the Espresso Martini with this delicious step-by-step recipe. You’ll discover the perfect balance of coffee, liqueur, and vodka in this modern classic cocktail.
![Espresso Martini recipe](https://twistandtoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Step_4-5-m.jpg)
An Espresso Martini! is a fabulous combo of fresh espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur. It is seriously perfect for any get-together. Trust me, I’ve made it a bunch of times, and everyone just obsesses over it. When you take a sip, you’ll be like, “OMG, this is pure boujee bliss!” It’s got that luxe vibe that’ll make your taste buds feel oh-so-fancy.
So, just a lil’ fun fact: The Espresso Martini is part of this really cool vodka cocktail family, kinda like the delish White Russian and the gorgeous Black Russian. They’re all about that coffee liqueur goodness that we just can’t get enough of, right? But the Espresso Martini stands out as it incorporates freshly brewed espresso into the blend, offering a darker, richer coffee flavor with a caffeinated kick.
![Espresso Martini ingredients](https://twistandtoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Ingredient-Shot-15-m.jpg)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. Kahlua or any Coffee Liqueur
- 1 oz. espresso freshly brewed, cooled
- Optional 1/4 oz. simple syrup for a sweeter taste
- Optional coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Load a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour in vodka, coffee liqueur, and chilled espresso.
- Give it a strong shake for roughly 10-15 seconds to guarantee thorough blending and chilling.
- Pour the concoction through a strainer into an icy martini glass.
- For a chic finish, adorn with a trio of coffee beans. Serve immediately.
Variations
There are so many ways you can customize the Espresso Martini. Here are some great variations:
- Low-Carb Espresso Martini: Try swapping out the regular coffee liqueur for a sugar-free liquor and use a sugar-free syrup. You’ll get a fierce cocktail, but with way fewer carbs and calories.
- Spiced Espresso Martini: Add a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg and you’ve got the perfect cocktail for chilling by the fire.
- Bourbon Espresso Martini: Use some bourbon instead of vodka, the caramel notes from the bourbon and the rich coffee are a match in heaven.
- Salted Caramel Espresso Martini: Add a bit of salted caramel syrup, you won’t regret it.
- Mocha Espresso Martini: This one is for our chocoholics friends! Add chocolate liqueur or mix a bit of cocoa powder into the espresso before shaking. Trust me, chocolate + coffee = fire.
![Espresso Martini recipe glass side shot](https://twistandtoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Featured_2-4-m.jpg)
FAQs
You’re looking at around 230-250 calories depending on the brands you use. You can easily bring that down to sub 150 calories by using sugar-free or low-calories coffee liqueurs and syrup.
The right way to enjoy this cocktail is to sip it slow from a super cool martini glass. You’ll love how the frothy layer mixes in with the rest of the drink. Yum!
You can make it a mocktail by swapping vodka and coffee liqueur with a coffee-flavored syrup.
Just mix the ingredients in a big glass or jar with a tight lid. Add ice, close it up tight, and shake, shake, shake for 10-15 seconds. It might not be as frothy as with a shaker, but it’ll still taste amazing!
![Espresso Martini glass side shot](https://twistandtoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Featured_3-6-m.jpg)
Tips and Tricks
- Quality Ingredients: Make sure to use good-quality vodka, top-notch coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso. You’ll totally taste the difference in your drink!
- Chilled Martini Glass: Keep your martini glass in the fridge or freezer a few hours before serving, a cold glass will keep your drink cool and frothy.. And if you are In a hurry, you can fill it with ice and water to chill it quick.
- Vigorous Shaking: The secret to that fabulous frothy top is giving your cocktail shaker a good, 10-second shake.
- Double Strain: Use a fine-mesh strainer with your regular cocktail strainer to catch any ice bits. You will get a smooth and silky cocktail.
- Garnishing and Presentation: It’s all about the garnish. Pop three coffee beans on top of the froth for a gorgeous aroma. You can also sprinkle some cocoa powder for a fancy touch.
How to Store An Espresso Martini
You can make your Espresso Martini ahead of time: Mix the vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso (no ice!) in a pitcher or container and store it in your fridge. It’ll stay great for a whole day.
You can even freeze your Espresso Martini: Mix your Espresso Martini (again, minus ice!) and pour it into an ice cube tray or freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, just grab one from the freezer and let it thaw a bit.
Shake well before serving: Make sure to give it a good shake with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds, then double strain a chilled martini glass. Top it off with 3 coffee bean garnish, and you’re good to go!
Don’t wait too long before drinking: while it’s super convenient to store your martinis in the fridge or freezer, remember that they won’t stay perfect forever. Have it withing 24 hours if refrigerated and up to one month if frozen.
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