The short answer: This espresso martini recipe is the classic four-ingredient version: smooth, not too sweet, with a thick layer of foam on top. Shake 2 ounces of vodka, ½ ounce of coffee liqueur, 1 ounce of freshly brewed espresso and ¼ to ½ ounce of simple syrup very hard with ice, then strain it into a chilled coupe and top with three coffee beans. It's an easy after-dinner drink for holiday parties and New Year's Eve.
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Below you'll find the exact recipe, the secret to the foam, swaps if you don't have an espresso machine, how to batch it, a zero-proof version, and a few responsible-drinking notes.
This recipe is for adults 21 and older. If you're hosting, have a great nonalcoholic option ready too. There's one below.
Espresso martini ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | 2 ounces | Plain or vanilla |
| Coffee liqueur | ½ ounce | Kahlúa, Mr Black or similar |
| Fresh espresso | 1 ounce | One shot, slightly cooled |
| Simple syrup | ¼ to ½ ounce | Equal parts sugar and water |
| Ice | 1 full shaker | Fresh, large cubes |
| Coffee beans | 3 | For garnish |
Chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before you start. A cold glass keeps the foam from collapsing.
How to make an espresso martini, step by step
- Brew the espresso. Pull a fresh shot and let it cool for a minute or two.
- Chill the glass. Put a coupe or martini glass in the freezer. The same step makes a better classic martini.
- Fill the shaker. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add plenty of ice. Fill the shaker to the top with ice.
- Shake hard. Shake as hard as you can for 15 to 20 seconds, until the shaker is frosty.
- Double-strain. Strain through the shaker's strainer and a fine-mesh sieve into the chilled glass.
- Garnish. Float three coffee beans on the foam. Tradition says they stand for health, wealth and happiness.
Tips for the best espresso martini
- Use fresh espresso. The oils in a freshly pulled shot make the foam. Day-old coffee tastes flat and won't froth.
- Taste your liqueur first. Some coffee liqueurs are much sweeter than others, so start with ¼ ounce of syrup and adjust.
- Use a good, neutral vodka. You don't need a top-shelf bottle, but harsh vodka shows through.
- Don't skimp on ice. A full shaker chills the drink faster and dilutes it just enough.
- Serve it right away. The foam starts to settle after a few minutes.
Espresso martini variations
| Version | What to change |
|---|---|
| Vanilla espresso martini | Use vanilla vodka or add ¼ ounce vanilla syrup |
| Salted caramel | Swap the simple syrup for caramel syrup and add a pinch of salt |
| Peppermint mocha | Add ¼ ounce of crème de cacao and a drop of peppermint, rim with crushed candy cane |
| Tequila espresso martini | Use reposado tequila instead of vodka |
| Without coffee liqueur | Use 1½ ounces of espresso and ½ ounce of simple syrup |
| Zero-proof | 2 ounces espresso, ½ ounce maple syrup, a splash of vanilla and 1 tablespoon cream, shaken |
How to batch espresso martinis for a party
For 8 drinks, stir together 16 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of coffee liqueur, 8 ounces of cooled espresso and 3 ounces of simple syrup in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Shake each serving with ice to order, since the foam only forms when you shake. Set out coffee beans, a jigger and a big bowl of ice. Make the simple syrup a day ahead so it is fully cool before it goes in the pitcher.
Plan the drinks along with the rest of the menu. Our holiday party planning checklist and New Year's Eve ideas cover food, timing and guests.
Drink responsibly
An espresso martini is stronger than it tastes. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a standard drink as 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, about 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits, so one espresso martini is more than one and a half standard drinks.
The coffee doesn't sober you up. Caffeine can make you feel more alert while your blood alcohol stays just as high. The FDA's caffeine guidance says most healthy adults can have up to 400 milligrams a day, and that people who are pregnant or sensitive to caffeine should talk with their doctor. Sip slowly, alternate with water, eat something, and arrange a ride home.
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For more festive drinks, see our Christmas cocktails. Pair this with a slice of classic cheesecake for dessert. Hosting a crowd that prefers tequila? Our classic margarita recipe includes a pitcher batch for 8.
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Frequently asked questions
What is in an espresso martini? A classic espresso martini has four ingredients: vodka, coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa, freshly brewed espresso and a little simple syrup. They're shaken very hard with ice and strained into a chilled coupe or martini glass, then garnished with three coffee beans. The hard shake is what creates the creamy layer of foam on top.
How do you make an espresso martini recipe foamy? To make an espresso martini foamy, use freshly pulled espresso, since the natural oils in fresh coffee create the crema-like foam. Fill the shaker with plenty of ice and shake as hard as you can for 15 to 20 seconds. Double-strain it into a chilled glass. Old or refrigerated coffee won't foam nearly as well.
Can I make an espresso martini without an espresso machine? Yes, you can make an espresso martini without an espresso machine. Use 1 ounce of strong coffee from a moka pot, AeroPress or French press, or dissolve 2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder in 1 ounce of hot water. Cold brew concentrate works too, though it makes a little less foam. Let hot coffee cool for a minute or two so it doesn't melt all the ice.
How much caffeine is in an espresso martini? One espresso martini made with a single 1-ounce shot of espresso has roughly 60 to 75 milligrams of caffeine, plus a small amount from the coffee liqueur. The FDA says up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is generally not linked to negative effects for healthy adults. Caffeine doesn't make you less impaired by alcohol.
Can you make espresso martinis ahead for a party? You can batch espresso martinis for a party. Mix the vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso and simple syrup in a pitcher up to 1 day ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. When guests arrive, shake each serving with ice to order so it gets its signature foam. Offer a zero-proof version too.
How do you make a nonalcoholic espresso martini? For a nonalcoholic espresso martini, shake 2 ounces of fresh espresso, ½ ounce of simple syrup or maple syrup and ½ ounce of a nonalcoholic coffee syrup or a splash of vanilla with ice, then strain. A tablespoon of cream or oat milk adds body. It's a festive option for drivers, guests who don't drink and Dry January.
Is an espresso martini a strong drink? An espresso martini is a fairly strong cocktail. With 2 ounces of 80-proof vodka plus coffee liqueur, it contains a little more than one and a half standard drinks, according to the NIAAA's standard drink definition of 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. Sip slowly, eat something, drink water between cocktails and never drive after drinking.