Start your weekend with the smooth and beautifully bitter Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini.
Sunday morning had creeped into my hotel room quietly, almost politely. The party the night before had been epic. So many cocktails, tipples and libations were imbibed, quaffed and guzzled that there wasn’t any liquor left over at the bar. The jukebox kept getting louder with every round of drinks that was served, and eventually a conga line was formed and ended up snaking its way through the hotel’s lobby and onto the street. Some passersby remarked that the line had to be at least a mile long, with every drunken participant dancing and singing in time to Harry Belafonte’s “Coconut Woman”. The rest of the night? A blur.
The morning after our Saturday night soirée was a quiet one, thankfully. As the sun began to creep through the curtains, I felt my head throbbing slightly. I made sure to pace myself, but once the tray of Adios, Motherf***ers came out, well, it was all over for me. I wasn’t driving, so the only trip I needed to make after the party had wrapped was to the elevator, up a few floors, and then down the hall to my room. After sleeping like the proverbial log, I felt pretty well-rested, despite feeling a tad crispy from the night before. I shambled out of bed, slipped on some comfy clothes and sauntered down to the hotel bar in search of some breakfast and maybe a morning cocktail.
When I arrived, I was alone, save for the barkeep. I nodded in their direction and requested an Espresso Martini… some caffeine with a little “hair of the dog” ought to start my day with a little zip, I thought. Instead, the bartender just shook their head mournfully, then reminded my slightly hungover self that the party I attended literally drank the bar dry. If I wanted what I ordered, it would have to be a Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini.
“So just an espresso in a martini glass?” I sarcastically quipped. They smirked and started mixing my drink. Fresh espresso, whipping cream, simple syrup, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt all shaken together and poured into a chilled coupe, rimmed with cocoa powder. This may have been a booze-free mocktail, but once I started sipping on its frothy, creamy and bittersweet charms, my head began to clear and those morning cobwebs started to fly away.
And honestly, if I didn’t know, I never would have guessed this was a virgin elixir.
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini?
You don’t need any alcohol to make a delicious and smooth Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini. In fact, it’s right there in the drink’s name. Just make sure that you’re working with the freshest ingredients possible. Use a freshly brewed and chilled espresso as the base to ensure a balanced and tasty experience on every sip.
Ingredients
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- 2 ounces freshly brewed espresso
- 2 ounces heavy whipping cream
- 1 ounce simple syrup plus a little extra for the rim
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Dip the rim of your martini glass in a little extra simple syrup and lightly dust it with cocoa powder. Set the glass aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the freshly brewed espresso, heavy whipping cream, simple syrup, vanilla extract, and add a pinch of salt. Shake well for 20-30 seconds until the mixture becomes frothy.
- Strain into the prepared martini glass. Dust a little more cocoa powder on top and garnish with three coffee beans.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Use a chilled martini glass for this recipe, with a rim lined with cocoa powder if you like. Garnish with a few espresso beans on top to complete the look.
CAN THIS DRINK BE SERVED OVER ICE?
Sure thing. If you’re not feeling fancy, you can pour this beverage over ice in a highball glass, or even take it on the go with you since there isn’t any liquor in it. Think of it as a heightened iced coffee.
Other Mocktails Worth Trying
If you’re looking for something delicious to drink, it doesn’t always have to include booze. Mocktails and virgin recipes still retain the identity and texture of many of their more “grown-up” counterparts, but without the presence of liquor, one doesn’t have to worry about who’s driving anybody home or waking up the next day feeling like you’ve been hit with a sledgehammer. Try out some of these family-friendly mixtures, especially if you’ve been thinking about taking a break from the more potent versions.
- Jalapeño Paloma Mocktail – Give this spicy, refreshing and fizzy sipper a spin.
- Virgin Piña Colada – Fruity and creamy, this drink needs no spirit to be enjoyable.
- Disneyland Mint Julep – Relive your last trip to the Haunted Mansion with this Southern California favorite.
- Virgin Mojito – Minty, bubbly and bright, this booze-free recipe is perfect for the summer.
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