A Delicious Espresso Martini ~ And Oh So Easy!
A new year is about to begin, and each of us has hopes that it will indeed be wonderful. So let’s give good cheers to all good things with a delightfully festive cocktail, shall we? I know that an Espresso Martini is one that many of you would enjoy.
I’ve heard that an Espresso Martini is somewhat of a retro cocktail and was a dominant star in the 90’s culinary scene. Well, to tell you the truth, I was so deep into my graduate studies and raising two young children as a single parent and so broke that no cocktails were on my radar during that decade. So I may be late for this 90’s retro cocktail party, but better late than never!
The Espresso Martini is more than just a cocktail; it’s a decadently crafted fusion of flavors and aromas that celebrate both coffee and spirits. Plus, when most cocktails leave you feeling sleepy, an espresso martini has a caffeine kick, making it a perfect choice for those late nights.
My first taste of an Espresso Martini was after I gave a cooking class in Knoxville, Tennessee, when the guests presented me with a glass of this elixer cocktail! Here’s a video of this tremendously successful, fun, and delicious cooking class!
The gals were so gracious in presenting me with my very first espresso martini (at the end of the video at 6.00 timestamp)!
So if you’re looking for an after-dinner, late-night soirée pick-me-up, or even as a lovely treat just for yourself, then go grab your cocktail shaker, and mix up some sophistication and indulgence!
Let’s get to the cucina, gather your ingredients, and dive into some fun cocktail mixing! You’ll need:
- Vodka
- Aged rum (Plantation, Bacardi, or Captain Morgan)
- Coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
- Bailey’s Irish Cream
- Freshly-brewed Italian espresso (the stronger, the better!)
- 1 oz. simple syrup (optional, recipe in notes)
- Garnish: Italian whole espresso beans (at least 3 per martini)
This recipe has a nice balance of coffee, sweet, and a touch of creamy with the Bailey’s. I added a bit of aged rum in addition to the flavorless vodka to give the martini more depth than vodka. Aged rum enhances the martini by adding flavors of caramel and molasses.
Now that you’ve gathered all of the essential ingredients let’s get mixing!
Here’s your step-by-step guide to creating your own Espresso Martini masterpiece:
- Brew espresso – Make this by hand or with an espresso machine. Just make sure that you use a shot of freshly brewed espresso. The fresher the brew, the better the Espresso Martini!
- Fill cocktail shaker with ice – You want this martini to be COLD!
- Add vodka, rum, coffee liqueur, Bailey’s, simple syrup, and freshly brewed espresso to the cocktail shaker. Simple syrup (recipe in notes) is optional, but if you enjoy a hint of sweetness, then just add it in.
- Shake, Shake, Shake! – Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 20 – 25 seconds. This makes the ideal frothy cocktail.
- Strain and serve – Using a fine-mesh cocktail strainer, pour the mixture through the strainer into a chilled martini glass. This step assures that your martini will have a smooth, silky finish.
- Garnish – Place several coffee beans on top of the foamy top of the espresso martini. Presentation is so important, don’t you think?
Tips for Making the Perfect Espresso Martini
Quality Ingredients Matter – Always use high-quality liquor and spirits. The better your ingredients, the tastier your cocktail will be!
For maximum flavor – use vanilla vodka instead of plain, flavorless vodka.
Always use freshly brewed espresso over instant espresso if you can, which significantly impacts the flavor of the martini. This martini tastes best with freshly made and chilled espresso. Your taste buds will thank you! You can substitute one teaspoon of instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 ounce of hot water if you have to.
For those who are caffeine-sensitive – use decaffeinated coffee instead of espresso, but make the coffee super strong.
Shake ingredients as hard and fast as you can with a shaker filled with lots of ice. This is not only fun and dramatic to watch, but most importantly, shaking cocktails is the key to introducing air into the mix to create signature froths. Vigorously shake it for 30 seconds to get a thick, foamy head that’s just perfect for placing your garnished coffee beans on.
Chill your glasses – This amps up the drinking experience by keeping your drink cold and refreshing until the very last sip.
Turn up the luxury factor – Add about a half ounce of cream before shaking.
Speaking of coffee beans, did you know that having three on top of an espresso martini is good luck in Italy? Three beans represent three blessings of health, wealth, and happiness and comes from the traditional Italian way of serving Sambuca.
The classic espresso martini is already a showstopper, but you don’t have to stop there! Don’t be afraid to get creative and shake things up a bit and experiment with so many delightful variations! There are so many ways to put a unique twist on this versatile cocktail. Go ahead, be adventurous, and have fun by experimenting with different flavors. Add splashes of flavor with a few drops of vanilla extract, other flavored liqueurs, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon.
So grab your shaker, invite some friends, and enjoy!
If you love chocolate and coffee, I think you might enjoy these dessert recipes:
Chocolate Espresso Mousse Cheesecake
Salute’!
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 1 ounce aged rum
- 1/2 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce cold espresso coffee
- optional: 1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note)
- 3 whole coffee beans (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour in your ingredients.
- Shake well to create a frothy mixture.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans and serve.
Notes
To make simple syrup, simply mix together equal amounts of sugar and water.
I’m wondering if you could use anisette instead of rum – we put it in our espresso all the time. You wouldn’t need the sugar.
Hi Elizabeth,
Yes, you’re right. Anisette would be nice instead. For me, I’d go lightly on how much to add since it is such a strong flavor. Since you have already been adding anisette to espresso, you know how much you like to have. Please let me know about the results!
Buon anno,
Roz
wow That sounds heavenly and gorgeous shots, Roz.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Angie . . . you are one of my inspirational photographers!