Espresso Martini

If you love coffee, I urge you to try any coffee lovers dream cocktail, the Espresso Martini! Technically, it’s not a true martini because it doesn’t contain any vermouth, but it’s served in traditional martini glasses and has become just as iconic. It’s strong but sweet, rich, smooth, and utterly delicious! It’s pretty much like your after-dinner coffee, liqueur, and dessert all in one.

The best part is how quick and easy it is to make; all you need is four easy ingredients and a cocktail shaker. I retested this recipe to show you why a cocktail shaker is so important in creating that iconic foamy top! More on that below. If you want to impress at your next dinner party, serve this alongside your dessert to really blow your guests away, at a happy hour, or serve it at the start of the night to really kick things off!

A reader, Sandy, says: “Espresso Martini is EXCELLENT. So easy and so good. Shaking hard really works. Got mine to foam perfectly.” ★★★★★

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

These are the main ingredients you need to make the perfect espresso martini. You can find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.

Coffee – make sure to use strong, fresh espresso coffee, preferably brewed in a machine with plenty of crema on top! If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can substitute the espresso with a cold brew concentrate (however, it won’t be as foamy on top with this swap— more on that below). One kind of coffee to avoid when making this cocktail is instant coffee. It just won’t taste like a true Espresso Martini without proper espresso or brewed coffee.

Coffee Liqueur – this is essential to sweetening the martini and imparting a stronger coffee flavor to the martini. I prefer Mr. Black brand— this is a coffee and vodka liqueur that tastes amazing, is slightly sweetened, and really gives this cocktail the best flavor. If you can’t find Mr. Black, use any other kind of coffee liqueur like Tia Maria or Kahlúa! Kahlúa is a rum-based coffee liqueur that is most commonly used in espresso martinis and will taste delicious in this recipe, too.

Vodka – use your favorite vodka here; it doesn’t need to be expensive!

Simple syrup – this is used to add a touch of sweetness to the cocktail and mellow the flavors of the strong coffee and vodka. You can buy simple syrup in bottles or make it by bringing equal amounts of water and sugar to a boil, then leaving it to cool completely. You can adjust the level of sweetness in your cocktail by using more or less simple syrup.

Coffee beans – these are a traditional and fun garnish, but not necessary for taste.

What Makes An Espresso Martini Frothy?

There are two answers to this question: using brewed espresso and vigorously shaking the cocktail mixture. Let me put my science teacher hat on and start with the first one! When you pull an espresso shot, it forms a creamy, foam layer on top that is light brown color. This is called “crema,” and it forms from the high pressure of the brew process by emulsifying carbon dioxide with the oils in the coffee beans. The same type of action happens with an espresso martini, which brings me to the second factor: shaking the martini.

When the espresso is vigorously shaken, air bubbles form in the cocktail shaker and get trapped by the oils in the coffee. When you pour the cocktail into the glass, those bubbles float to the surface forming the foam layer on top. Cold brew or drip coffee has more of the oils filtered out than espresso, which is why if you make the cocktail with cold brew instead of a pulled shot of espresso, the martini won’t be as foamy.

I had my team test this recipe by vigorously shaking it (as the recipe directs) and stirring it with ice. In the image below, the martini on the left has no foamy top because stirring it doesn’t produce air bubbles or an emulsification in the cocktail mixture. The takeaways: use a fresh shot of espresso for the best foam formation, and shake, shake, shake!

Alternative to a coffee machine: If you don’t have a coffee machine, you can add one egg white to the cocktail shaker along with the other ingredients, shake it for 15 seconds before adding the ice. Add the ice and shake again. It doesn’t affect the taste of the cocktail, but it will give the cocktail a creamier feel, along with a beautifully luscious and thick foam layer on top.

Alternative to egg whites: If the thought of raw egg whites puts you off, you can buy cocktail foam in small bottles online. You only add one or two drops to each cocktail, and it creates a lovely foam on top of your cocktail after shaking. This is a professional bartender’s trick, and can greatly enhance your cocktail skills, if you wish to go this route!

Pro Tips For The Perfect Espresso Martini

Chill the cocktail glass before you make the martini. I like to put my martini glass (or a coupe glass) in the freezer for at least 20 minutes before shaking up the cocktail. The cold glass will help keep the chilled cocktail cold for longer, as you sip on it!

Make sure to shake the cocktail extra hard so you create that lovely foam on top! I explained this above, but it’s essential to forming the best, frothy espresso martini.

When pouring the cocktail into your glass, do it swiftly to ensure the foam ends up on top. The foam forms as all of those little air bubbles float to the surface. If you let the cocktail sit in the shaker, that reaction will happen in the shaker instead of the glass.

How To Make An Espresso Martini

Below, I’ve highlighted portions of the recipe in step-by-step process images along with instructions for making an espresso martini. You can find the full set of instructions in the recipe card below.

1. Brew the coffee then pour into a bowl to cool quickly. If the coffee is still hot it will melt the ice, so you want to bring it down in temperature first. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice then add the cooled coffee.

2. To the cocktail shaker, pour in the vodka and simple syrup.

3. Then add the coffee liqueur.

4. Secure the lid, and shake the cocktail very hard in the cocktail shaker until the outside is frosty. (This is when the foam formation will happen, so be sure to shake it vigorously.)

5. Immediately strain the espresso martini into a chilled martini glass.

6. As an optional garnish, top with three coffee beans, and serve immediately.

Espresso Martini Variations & Serving Ideas

Try one of these ideas to customize your espresso martini!

• Use a different liquor: If you don’t love vodka, swap it for a less botanical-forward gin, bourbon, rum, or tequila!
• For a creamy espresso martini: Swap 1 ounce of vodka for 1 ounce of Bailey’s or another Irish cream liqueur.
• Dust the top with cocoa powder, cinnamon, or finely ground espresso powder instead of garnishing with the coffee beans.
• Add a chocolate swirl: For a fun garnish, drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass before shaking and pouring the espresso martini. You can follow the directions in my chocolate martini recipe for how to make the swirl!
• Use decaf espresso! This is a great way to make the cocktail as an after-dinner treat or for dessert without the caffeine.

What Do The Three Coffee Beans On Top Mean?

The three coffee beans were the traditional garnish of Sambuca in Italy. Called La Mosca (the fly), it’s meant to represent health, wealth, and happiness!

More Cocktail Recipes To Try

Try one of these delicious martini recipes next!

Craving a classic martini? Try my recipe that uses vodka or gin and a splash of vermouth!

A French martini is a fruity twist on the classic, using vodka, Chambord (a berry liqueur), and pineapple juice. Perfect for a summer cocktail hour!

My lemon drop martini is a citrus-lover’s dream! Bright and refreshing, you only need vodka, lemons, and sugar to shake up this delicious cocktail.

Using pomegranate juice, lemon-flavored vodka, and orange liqueur, the pomegranate martini is a well-balanced, fruity cocktail that is perfect for winter parties.

If you’ve tried this espresso martini recipe, then don’t forget to rate it and let me know how you got on in the comments below. I love hearing from you!