Espresso Martini Cocktail
- Last updated:February 24, 2025
- Recipes
Are you a coffee lover that wants to have a good time?
Then the Espresso Martini cocktail is simply the perfect drink for you! Ideal for a night out with your friends as a party cocktail or a fancy pick-me-up 😉
If you are the classy type of person, you can enjoy it as your after meal drink since the coffee aids digestion.
For sure, an icon of the cocktail world! And it couldn’t be easier to make it at home — it takes only 5 minutes!
BUT, if you feel like going out to drink it, Atithi makes it best. Just saying.
What is an Espresso Martini Cocktail?
Some people like to say it's a cold caffeinated alcoholic drink made with espresso, coffee liqueur, vodka and a foamy top.
We like to call it "sophisticated little devil" — since it's a fancy strong cocktail, with both coffee and alcohol in it.
Instead of using sweet ingredients for flavour, the Espresso Martini cocktail uses coffee for its bitterness and a bit of liqueur for sweetness.
It’s so simple but so good at the same time! It simply shouldn’t be allowed to taste SO good. Come try it at Atithi!
What are the ingredients of an Espresso Martini?
Here's what you’ll need for one serving — I mean, if you've kept reading until here, you probably already know:
TIP: The cocktail's flavour depends A LOT on it, so use one that you actually like and that is of good quality.
But it’s just one of many brands of coffee liqueur out there, so use whichever one you have or prefer.
You can even add cinnamon, cardamom, or any other spice that plays well with coffee.
As tastes can vary A LOT, if you prefer a less sweet and a more coffee-forward drink, skip this.
However, it balances out the other ingredients in this cocktail.
You can also use ground coffee, or instant espresso.
Equipment you will need:
You can definitely go with whatever glass you have at home or coffee mug.
If not for aesthetics, it doesn’t matter! It's your drink and you drink it as you want. The taste remains the same.
No scale or measuring cup? What you think we have a solution for this as well? ahah
Here all you can do just trust your eye and estimate the measurements.
Espresso Martini Recipe
How to make an espresso martini drink?
1. Chill Your Ingredients & Glassware
Brew a fresh shot of espresso and let it cool to room temperature (or stick it in the fridge or freezer to speed up the process).
This will help prevent the ice from melting too fast when shaking, keeping the drink properly chilled and undiluted.
If you want to do it like a pro, you can also pre-chill your martini glass to keep your cocktail cool.
2. Prepare the Cocktail
Next step is to fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
Add some vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso (or cold brew), and simple syrup.
IMPORTANT: Do not add hot espresso to your cocktail, this is so that it does not melt the ice and dilute the drink.
3. Shake It Until You Make It
Shake it well for about 15-20 seconds.
Once you’ve finished shaking, you should have lots of bubbles in your shaker.
The harder you shake, the smoother the foam on top will be.
4. Pour into the glass
When pouring the liquid from your shaker into the glass, use a strainer. Otherwise you will be drinking ice with your cocktail.
5. Garnish (optional) & Enjoy
And there you have it—the perfect Espresso Martini drink!
Once you pour it, then serve it right away.
For a classic look, add three coffee beans on top, and then serve it. You can also just crush a coffee bean or sprinkle ground coffee or instant espresso over the foam.
Pro Tip: If you use ground coffee or instant espresso, cover half the glass with paper before dusting coffee for a cool half-and-half design.
Want to experience the perfect Espresso Martini cocktail? Let our expert bartenders make one for you. Visit us and taste the difference!
Espresso Martini FAQ
Honestly? When you come to Atithi, while eating our amazing Indian food 🙂 Reserve your table.
Jokes aside now… you can drink it 1) after dinner as coffee helps with digestion 2) before a night out (because caffeine + alcohol = energy), or whenever you need a fancy pick-me-up that feels a little extra.
No idea—but if you want the best Espresso Martini drink, Atithi is where it’s at. Whatever they’re doing, it’s pure magic in a glass.
An Espresso Martini drink typically contains around 25-30% alcohol by volume (ABV), similar in strength to a Margarita. So it is considered to be a strong drink.
The combination of coffee and sweet liqueur makes it smoother and more balanced despite its potency.
Despite its name, an Espresso Martini drink contains no actual martini (vermouth).
So, while it has “martini” in the name, it’s really a coffee-flavoured vodka cocktail rather than a true martini.
There is 3 things that need for that foamy top to happen: fresh espresso, a hard shake, and a little bartender skill.
Vodka is the star of the show, and the smoother, the better. Something like Grey Goose, or Absolut works perfectly. For coffee liqueur, Kahlúa is the classic choice.
If you are not a vodka fan you can make it with gin, tequila or even rum. And if you want a stronger coffee kick, Mr. Black is the best.
Whatever you do, just make sure you use good espresso—because a bad shot can ruin the whole drink.
The Espresso Martini cocktails is a simple combination of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur.
However, if you are not a vodka fan you are free to make with gin, tequila or even rum.