This espresso martini is a perfect drink for coffee lovers and special occasions. A blend of coffee and vanilla flavors with a smooth buttery finish you will love to sip with friends. I had my first espresso martini experience on a girls’ trip to Savannah, Georgia. Although I am not sure the town is particularly known for this sophisticated drink, the experts at Public Kitchen on Liberty Street know how to make an impressive espresso martini. Having had such a memorable, soul-filling time in Savannah with my dear friends, I returned home from the trip curious about how to replicate this recipe to relive a part of the trip.
Espresso Martini Ingredients
After quite a bit of research, I have found there are many ways to make this coffee-flavored martini. But the basic structure for the drink is espresso coffee, a flavored vodka, a complimentary liqueur, and a sweetener. It is a nice touch to have a few espresso beans for garnish as well, although not necessary.
The winning combination I found is home-brewed espresso (you could purchase pre-made cold brew espresso, as well), espresso vanilla vodka, Kahlùa, and simple syrup. There are so many flavored vodkas out there that you could use as a substitute, as long as you keep it in the coffee, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate family of blends, I think the martini will turn out fantastic.
How to Make the Espresso Martini
If you are making your own espresso with a machine at home, I recommend brewing a single espresso shot and letting it sit out to cool a bit. If you are using pre-made cold brew, you are all set.
First, fill a metal cocktail shaker with ice. Add 2 ounces espresso vanilla vodka, 1/2 ounce Kahlùa, 1 to 1 1/2 ounces espresso, and 1/4 ounce of simple syrup (if you are into estimating, this is approximately a “short squeeze” from the bottle). Then close the shaker and shake it vigorously until the outside of the shaker is ice cold (and you can see the frost on the outside).
Pour the martini into a chilled glass through the strainer of the shaker, leaving the ice behind. Drop 2-3 espresso beans onto the top of the drink and serve!
Espresso Martini Tips and Suggestions
- Chill your martini glass by filling it with ice water while you make the drink. Pour the icy water out, and then put the drink in the ice-cold glass.
- As mentioned, you can substitute the espresso vanilla vodka for another flavored vodka, such as vanilla, coffee, or caramel flavored vodka.
- I purchase simple syrup to keep things easy, although you can make your own or use agave or honey mixed with hot water to make a sweetener. Check out how to do this here: Food.com
- If you love other coffee drinks, check out this Spiced Vanilla Coffee Creamer or this Chocolate Liqueur Coffee.
Espresso Martini
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
A blend of coffee and vanilla flavors with a smooth buttery finish you will love to sip with friends.
Ingredients
- 1– 1 1/2 ounces home-brewed or pre-made cold-brew espresso
- 2 ounces espresso vanilla vodka
- 1/2 ounce Kahlùa
- 1/4 ounce (or short squirt) simple syrup
- 2–3 espresso beans for garnish
Instructions
If you are making your own espresso with a machine at home, I recommend brewing a single espresso shot and letting it sit out to cool a bit. If you are using pre-made cold brew, you are all set.
- First, fill a metal cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add 2 ounces espresso vanilla vodka, 1/2 ounce Kahlùa, 1 to 1 1/2 ounces espresso, and 1/4 ounce of simple syrup (if you are into estimating, this is approximately a “short squeeze” from the bottle).
- Then close the shaker and shake it vigorously until the outside of the shaker is ice cold (and you can see the frost on the outside).
- Pour the martini into a chilled glass through the strainer of the shaker, leaving the ice behind in the shaker.
- Drop 2-3 espresso beans onto the top of the drink and serve!
Notes
- Chill your martini glass by filling it with ice water while you make the drink. Pour the icy water out, and then put the drink in the ice-cold glass.
- As mentioned, you can substitute the espresso vanilla vodka for another flavored vodka, such as vanilla, coffee, or caramel flavored vodka.
- I purchase simple syrup to keep things easy, although you can make your own or use agave or honey mixed with hot water to make a sweetener. Check out how to do this here: Food.com
- Prep Time: 5 min
