The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (2024)

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How do you make an easy espresso martini? It can be overwhelming figuring out how to make an espresso martini as you might wonder if you need to have an espresso machine.

That’s the big question that puts people off, do I need an espresso machine to make an espresso martini and the answer is, no, you don’t need an espresso machine! It is great if you do but not necessary!

The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (1)

This easy espresso martini recipe and a bloody caesar are tied for the drinks I make this most as both have their necessary functions and both taste incredible. See here for the 6 best shot recipes for hosting as well!

This is a great recipe version because it is dummy proof and really is just a few simple ingredients and you are done. No espresso machines, no icing down hot espresso or coffee… it’s much more simple than that.

This has become a go to when hosting or as a pre-drink before heading out to get that extra boost of energy. Everyone absolutely loves this drink, it is extremely simple and provides the best start to your night. See our article for the 7 Best Easy Craft co*cktails.

I am officially too old for Red Bull vodkas because they give me the worst anxiety the next day and ummm… other things. This will be a game changing energy drink for you, looks nice for hosting people or even use it as a good start before you take off on a date night.

The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (2)

The goal is for your creations to make people happy and with a little espresso you can scientifically stimulate people there right from the jump. Make this your own as well, if you don’t like it too sweet than maybe skip the vanilla vodka and just go with straight vodka.

You can make this with just 3 ingredients if you want… really you just need two if you don’t have it all and it still comes out great! This recipe is very versatile so have some fun with it.

Maybe add a little chocolate syrup, use Baileys instead of Kahlua or use coffee instead of espresso. Really you can make this as fancy and complex as you want or just stick to the few recipe basics.

The most important rules to making co*cktails

When making a drink for people and you want them to love the experience you need to appeal to 4 senses. You must make it taste good of course so follow this recipe and the ideas along with it.

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The drink needs to have a pleasant aroma and appeal to the sense of smell. Thus, to do that you need to add a garnish. What makes a craft co*cktail is that addition of the herb or spice to make it pop. This is why co*cktails from mixologists always have mint or sprigs in them.

A drink should also look beautiful and appeal to site. You eat and drink with your eyes first and no one wants to eat or drink something that looks gross or doesn’t look appetizing.

Finally, when people are enjoying their drink you need to give them a nice ambiance and setting. I can help you with the first 3 but the ambiance is on you… music, clean up, give them a shot so they are already getting drunk and everything is fun… up to you :).

One AMAZING way to add to your drink ambiance and appeal to all senses is infuse your liquor. Infusing liquor is the greatest lie in drink creation as what sounds extremely impressive is really just you pouring liquor into a jar and adding 1-2 ingredients then letting it sit for 1-7 days… or even 1 hour! From there just lie to your guests ;)… it’s a small fib.

Listen to our travel podcast if you want some travel tips & a laugh

Infused liquor makes you look like some planned, smart super-hero that would do anything when hosting people. It will impress them and has you already 5 steps ahead on appealing to all of the senses.

The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (4)

If you are a tequila person this recipe is amazing with Patron XO Cafe. From here you can make a Mexpresso Martini, which is amazing a well! Straight tequila doesn’t translate as well but if you get that Patron XO Cafe then you are cooking with dynamite.

I legitimately like the tequila version more and it has a unique flair! That version of Patron is a little harder to find but most alcohol only stores like Total Wine and everywhere will have it. It is tough to find at grocery stores and gas stations etc though. However, it isn’t very expensive and is a great option for this recipe.

Is there a shot version of an espresso martini?

I am glad you asked. You can also make this a shot! Essentially the Shaft shot is an espresso martini, except you just put it in a rocks glass, use a straw and suck it down as fast as you can. For the full recipe of the shaft here is the link to the 6 best shots ever.

The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (5)

Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe

Quick and easy espresso martini! How to make the best espresso martini, easily!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: APERTIF, Brunch, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: adult drinks, hosting, martini

Prep Time: 1 minute min

Cook Time: 1 minute min

Total Time: 3 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vanilla vodka or espresso tequila Espresso Tequila (Patron XO Cafe or Avion Espresso Liqueur). Espresso or Vanilla Vodka (Van Gogh and Smirnoff are options). You could also use regular vodka or tequila
  • 1 shot Kahlua Leave out if want a stronger martini. Sub Irish cream liquor if no Kahlua.
  • 2 shots Chilled espresso Espresso cold brew or Starbucks small espresso shots work great as well.
  • 3-4 cubes Ice

Optional

  • 1 shot Irish cream liqueur
  • Ground cinnamon sprinkled on top to garnish
  • Cinnamon stick or coffee beans for garnish
  • 2 oz chocolate syrup

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients into a co*cktail shaker and shake. Can stir as well if no shaker option.

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  • Garnish with coffee beans, ground cinnamon stick or cinnamon.

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Video

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Tried this recipe?Mention @InspireTravelEat or tag #InspireTravelEat!

The Best Simple Espresso Martini Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (2024)

FAQs

Is Baileys or Kahlua better for espresso martini? ›

Kahlua is a coffee liqueur with a strong coffee flavor and a hint of caramel. It is a good choice for espresso martinis that you want to have a strong coffee flavor. Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur with a creamy texture and a flavor of chocolate, vanilla, and cream.

What is the best liquor for espresso martini? ›

The liquor base for an espresso martini co*cktail is vodka. We recommend choosing a premium unflavored vodka made with the finest ingredients to help the drink truly shine. The drink also incorporates a coffee liqueur.

What is the secret to a foamy espresso martini? ›

Now, the way to get foam with an espresso martini. is by using fresh espresso, which is full of CO 2. CO 2 is what causes espresso to have cream. Then when you shake it with ice, it aerates the liquid. and the coffee oils wrap around the air bubbles. to make a silky foam.

What is stronger, Kahlua or Baileys? ›

The Kahlua alcohol percentage is around 20%—slightly higher than Baileys alcohol content which is typically 17%. Kahlua and Baileys are versatile liqueurs that make delicious co*cktails when combined with other ingredients.

Why do you put Kahlua in espresso martini? ›

Kahlúa adds sweetness to your Espresso Martini, balancing out the other ingredients. And it helps create that velvety mouth-feel.

What kind of person drinks espresso martini? ›

Espresso Martini

If this is your co*cktail of choice you are likely an intense individual who gives 100% to everything you do. Espresso Martini drinkers have a 'work hard, play hard attitude and are happy to take the lead in both professional and social situations.

What's better, Tia Maria or Kahlua? ›

What is the difference between Kahlua and Tia Maria? Khalua is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans, sugar and rum and has notes of vanilla and Carmel. Tia Maria! This smoother, refined spin on Kahlua is absolutely worth adding to your liquor collection.

What can I use in espresso martini instead of Kahlua? ›

Dark Rum: This helps replace the Kahlua in conventional espresso martinis. Sugar Free Simple Syrup: You have lots of syrup options, including Miss Mary's Sinless Syrups and ChocZero Vanilla Syrup. Both work well here.

Why is my Espresso Martini not frothy? ›

If you're not getting a creamy texture, it could be that your espresso is un-frothed. Make sure to froth your espresso before adding it to the co*cktail shaker for the best results - a good frothy foam will make an amazing difference.

Can I use vanilla extract in an Espresso Martini? ›

The Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup is quick to make and goes great in coffee, lattes and of course Espresso Martinis! It adds just a touch of depth and flavor to the Espresso Martini that makes it extra special. You must use a fresh vanilla bean pod and not vanilla extract because it does not impart the same flavor.

How to make espresso at home easy? ›

Here's what you do: Boil one cup of water. While you wait for the water to heat up, add two tablespoons of freshly, finely ground coffee to your French press. Add a bit of the boiling water to the French press and stir briefly. Wait four minutes, then slowly push down the plunger, pausing every few seconds.

How do you get thick crema on an Espresso Martini? ›

Use freshly brewed espresso.

Freshly brewed espresso as crema (foam that comes out of the espresso machine) that helps make a thick foamy top. If fresh brewed espresso isn't an option, consider using flash frozen coffee like Cometeer. The crema is present in these pods after they're thawed!

Why is my Espresso Martini bitter? ›

5 – The one thing to never do to your espresso martini

According to Bar Cabinet, it's a big no-no to add ice to the hot espresso coffee used in the co*cktail, because ice makes coffee very bitter.

Can you use Kahlua instead of Baileys? ›

Baileys is creamy and derives its taste from cream, cocoa, and Irish Whiskey. Kahlua is dark without the creaminess of Baileys and is made with 100 percent arabica coffee, rum, and sugar. While acceptable, swapping out Baileys for Kahlua in a co*cktail recipe will produce quite different taste results.

What can you use instead of Kahlua in espresso martinis? ›

Dark Rum: This helps replace the Kahlua in conventional espresso martinis. Sugar Free Simple Syrup: You have lots of syrup options, including Miss Mary's Sinless Syrups and ChocZero Vanilla Syrup. Both work well here.

How to get creamy top on espresso martini? ›

According to the paleo chef, using the right ratio of ingredients is another crucial element to consider when making your espresso martinis - but it doesn't matter what coffee you use. She added: "The sugar in the coffee liqueur combined with the crema from the coffee helps build the foam on top.

Do you shake Kahlua espresso martini? ›

Easy – just shake the ingredients with lots of ice for at least 20 seconds. The more you shake, the more microfoam builds up, giving you that velvety froth when you pour it into your glass.

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