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Learn how to make the perfect Espresso Martini at home! Made with real espresso, vodka, and Kahlua, this classic cocktail combines rich coffee flavor with a luxurious frothy top.
The Espresso Martini is a classic cocktail that vaulted into massive popularity in the early 2020’s, and it’s easy to see why! Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua to makes a frothy and sophisticated drink (we can’t resist it on a cocktail menu!).
As cocktail experts and coffee enthusiasts who’ve developed hundreds of cocktail and coffee drinks, Alex and I are excited to share our perfected version of this modern classic. Here are our best tips for how to make an Espresso Martini at home—including tips, tricks and variations!
Key ingredients
There are several variations on an Espresso Martini recipe. The original version had two types of coffee liqueur and simple syrup. Our version of the Espresso Martini balances four key elements:
- Fresh espresso for authentic coffee flavor and the signature frothy top
- Premium vodka provides a clean base
- Kahlua and simple syrup in the perfect ratio make a balanced sweetness
The result is a cocktail that’s smooth, creamy, and indulgent, perfect for everything from happy hour to an after-dinner treat.
The story behind the drink
The Espresso Martini is a vodka martini made with coffee, known for its rich flavor and frothy topping. It was invented in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell in London for a customer who asked for a drink to wake her up.
Apparently the coffee machine was right next to the drink station, so he combined freshly made espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur. The result was an instant classic that’s seen a massive revival since 2021.
Pro tips for an Espresso Martini
The only part about an Espresso Martini that takes some time is making the coffee. Otherwise, it’s a simple formula of shake and strain. Here’s how to make an espresso martini:
Step 1: Make the espresso using an espresso maker (or French Press). You can also use 2 tablespoons double strength coffee or cold brew concentrate. Place the coffee in the freezer until it is room temperature.
Step 2: Place the espresso, 2 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlua, and ½ oz simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 handful ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds to create the creamy top.
Step 3: Strain into a martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans.
Variation without simple syrup
Simple syrup rounds out the flavors in this Espresso Martini and makes for a balanced drink. If you prefer less sweetness in your drinks:
- Use half the simple syrup, which still lets the flavors shine.
- Make this Espresso Martini recipe with no simple syrup. Kahlua has added sugar, so combining it with vodka and espresso still makes for a sweet and balanced drink.
Tip: Another variation is making a Frozen Espresso Martini with ice in a blender (our favorite!).
Methods for the espresso
To add the coffee to an Espresso Martini, here are a few methods we like to use:
- Espresso: You can use an espresso machine or portable espresso maker to make an espresso shot, or make French press espresso.
- Strong coffee or Moka Pot: Make strong coffee using double the grounds of your regular method. Or use a Moka Pot (Bialetti) to make strong coffee.
- Cold brew concentrate: We like making an Espresso Martini using cold brew concentrate. The concentrate is very strong, already chilled, and has a similar flavor to espresso.
Want more cocktail ideas? The Espresso Martini is on our list of the top 50 Most Popular Cocktails.
Frequently asked questions
While freshly brewed espresso is ideal for the most authentic flavor, you can use strong brewed coffee or even cold brew concentrate as a substitute. Just make sure it’s chilled before adding it to the cocktail shaker.
The key to a good froth is shaking the cocktail vigorously with ice in a cocktail shaker.
The three coffee beans are a traditional garnish for Espresso Martinis. They are said to represent health, wealth, and happiness. Some people also believe the number three is a symbol of luck.
Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar and coffee. It does have some caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee. The standard Kahlua is dairy-free, vegan and plant-based: it contains only rum, sugar and coffee.
You can also use other types of coffee liqueur, like Tia Maria or Sheridan’s.
Yes! This coffee martini has caffeine from the coffee and the Kahlua. The espresso contributes 64 mg caffeine and the Kahlua 2.5 mg, for a total of about 66 mg in this drink. This is about 70% the amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee (95 mg).
Espresso Martini Recipe
Learn how to make the perfect Espresso Martini at home! Made with real espresso, vodka, and Kahlua, this classic cocktail combines rich coffee flavor with a luxurious frothy top.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria, or other)
- 1 ounce room temperature espresso (or strong coffee or cold brew concentrate)
- ½ ounce simple syrup*
- 3 coffee beans, to garnish
Instructions
- Make the espresso or strong coffee. Place it in the freezer until room temperature.
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds to create the frothy top.
- Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Notes
*Simple syrup rounds out the flavors and makes for a balanced, sweet drink. For a less sweet spin, you can use ¼ oz or make an Espresso Martini without simple syrup entirely.
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
More coffee cocktails
Are you into spiked coffee? Boozy coffee drinks combine the beautiful bittersweet flavor of coffee into fantastic mixed drinks. Here are some of our favorite coffee cocktails:
- Mix up a White Russian or Black Russian, classic cocktails made with vodka and Kahlua.
- Try a classic Irish Coffee, or other spiked coffees like Amaretto Coffee, Kahlua Coffee, Spanish Coffee or a Carajillo.
- Try the Espresso Margarita instead.
I love mine with a dash of creamy Baileys
My favourite drink…
Let us know if you have any questions!