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Espresso Martini

Our Espresso Martini is the perfect drink for a romantic date night or to unwind after a stressful day. This sweet and rich martini is made with espresso, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream. It can be whipped up in less than 5 minutes and is perfectly satisfying.

An espresso martini is a coffee cocktail made with espresso, coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and a dash of simple syrup. It’s sweet and rich, with a bold coffee flavor coming from the coffee liqueur and brewed espresso.

Espresso martinis are popular because they only take a few minutes to make! Simply add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker along with cold ice cubes. Shake it up until all of the ingredients are combined, and pour into a chilled martini glass.

An espresso martini is a perfect drink to enjoy on a romantic date night or just as an evening treat. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with chocolate desserts and other sweet treats, like a decadent chocolate cake. You can also make them for a holiday party along with a batch of Chocolate Mint Cookies or crunchy English Toffee!

Coffee flavored martinis with foam.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ice Cubes – Used in the shaker glass to perfectly chill the ingredients as they combine together for an ice-cold martini. 
  • Espresso – Adds a strong coffee flavor that is the star of this cocktail while adding a deeply bold and smoky flavor. You can use espresso or strongly brewed coffee. 
  • Irish Cream Liqueur – Adds a rich, creamy sweetness to the cocktail with a hint of Irish cream flavor. 
  • Coffee Liqueur – An easy to fine liqueur, like Kahlua, that is used to add even more coffee flavor as well as a deep richness. 
  • Simple Syrup – Used to sweeten the cocktail so there is no need for additional sugar or sweetener.

How To Make An Espresso Martini

  1. Prepare the glasses: If desired, garnish your martini glasses and place them in the freezer to chill. Then add ice to your cocktail shaker. 
  2. Add the ingredients: Along with the ice, add the espresso, both liqueurs, and the simple syrup.
  3. Shake it up: Vigorously shake the cocktail for 20-30 seconds or until all of the liquid is chilled and combined. It should start to foam up.
  4. Strain and serve: Strain the espresso martini into a chilled martini glass. Scoop out some of the foam if desired, garnish with coffee beans, and serve immediately.
Collage showing how to make an espresso martini.

Espresso Martini Recipe Tips

  1. You can use espresso or brewed coffee for this cocktail. Just make sure it is chilled or at room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients. Cool it down quickly by placing the espresso in the refrigerator.
  2. Make sure to fill the cocktail shaker with ice cubes just before adding the other ingredients. Otherwise, you will dilute your drink and it won’t be as cold when served! 
  3. If you don’t have coffee liqueur, substitute it with an additional espresso shot. 
  4. Chill the martini glasses in the freezer beforehand to keep the martini extra cold.
  5. Make it for a crowd by doubling or tripling the ingredients and keeping them in a pitcher in the fridge.
  6. Run out of Irish cream and don’t have time for a trip to the store to buy more Bailey’s? Make some from scratch with our Homemade Irish Cream recipe.

Variations

  • If you want an extra creamy martini add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the shaker while it is shaking. Be aware that adding ice to the shaker may cause the ice cream to separate, so it’s best to leave it out in this instance.
  • Swirl the martini glasses for a fun presentation variation.
  • For a different flavor variation, add a touch of vanilla extract and a dollop of homemade whipped cream to the espresso martini.
  • If you want a festive holiday drink, add some peppermint Schnapps to make it into an espresso martini Christmas cocktail!
  • Want the coffee flavor without the buzz? Use decaf coffee or decaf espresso to cut down on the caffeine.
Espresso martini in a long stemmed glasses.

Storing and Freezing

Storing: If you made a large batch and have leftovers, store them in an airtight jar or pitcher for up to 5 days. Give it a good shake before serving.

Freezing: Turn the espresso martini into ice cubes using ice cube trays. Use them to keep another batch of espresso martinis cool or blend them up with milk to create a frozen espresso martini.

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Espresso martini in a glass with coffee beans.

Espresso Martini

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 Serving

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup ice cubes
  • 6 ounces freshly brewed espresso or strong coffee (chilled)
  • 2 ounces Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
  • 1 ounce Kahlua similar to Kahlua
  • 1 ounce simple syrup or to taste

Instructions 

  • Add the ice to a cocktail shaker then add the espresso, Bailey's Irish cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup.
    ½ cup ice cubes
    6 ounces freshly brewed espresso
    2 ounces Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
    1 ounce Kahlua
    1 ounce simple syrup
  • Shake for 20-30 seconds or until it starts to foam up.
  • Strain into a martini glass. Then, scoop out some of the foam, and float it on top of the martini. Garnish with coffee beans if desired and serve chilled.
  • See post for storage options.

Notes

*The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 (10-ounce) espresso martini. Actual calories will vary.
 
*For more information, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions, please refer to the post.
 
*Photos courtesy of Karla Rae Photography.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0.02mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 213mg | Sugar: 45g | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Recipe Rating