Espresso Martini

The Aperol spritz and the negroni are undoubtedly stealing the cocktail spotlight right now, but to me, the espresso martini will never go out of style. Popular with coffee lovers and tired pre-gamers alike, this classic cocktail was born in the 1980s but saw a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. It’s no surprise why this martini is having a moment: because it's a cocktail and an espresso, it's a great way to get a little buzzed while also getting a bit perked up. I order them so often, I decided it was time to perfect the classic espresso martini right at home. After testing (and testing), I discovered the perfect ratio of coffee to booze to simple syrup—make my classic recipe if happy hour at home is calling your name.

What People Are Saying:
"As good as any espresso martini you'll get at any upscale bar." - DelD

How To Make An Espresso Martini

INGREDIENTS

• Vodka: I add 1 1/2 oz. of vodka for the perfect ratio of booze to coffee. Vodka is the signature alcohol for a classic espresso martini—use another, and it just won’t be the same. While you don't have to reach for top shelf, I suggest using a brand you enjoy drinking.
• Coffee Liqueur: I prefer to use Kahlúa in this cocktail (and in many coffee cocktails). It’s easy to find, and adds the perfect rich coffee and vanilla flavor to this martini. That being said, you can use any coffee liqueur you please.
• Espresso: While I recommend a freshly pulled shot of espresso for the best-ever espresso martini, you can also use cold brew coffee concentrate if you don’t have an espresso machine (or don’t want to visit your local coffee shop). This is the central flavor of the drink after all, so I strongly suggest investing in coffee that you love the flavor of.
• Simple syrup: Simple syrup balances out the strong coffee flavors, and gives this cocktail a sweeter touch. If you prefer a more bitter flavor, you can decrease the amount of simple syrup. While you can buy it, why would you when it’s so easy to make homemade simple syrup?
• Espresso powder: I use espresso powder for the garnish to amplify the coffee vibes, but you can also use cocoa powder if you prefer, or skip it entirely.
• Coffee beans: If you’ve ordered an espresso martini out, you know that coffee beans are a signature garnish for this martini. Use any coffee beans you have on hand. If you’re looking for coffee inspo, checkout Delish’s favorite coffee beans.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Your first step in creating the iconic espresso martini is to add your vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to your cocktail shaker that's already filled with ice. When it comes to the espresso, make sure you give yourself enough time to let it chill before adding it to your shaker. You can place it in the fridge or the freezer if you need a quick chill—this will prevent your hot espresso from immediately melting the ice in your shaker.

After combining your ingredients in your shaker, cover and give it a vigorous shake. I recommend shaking for at least 15 seconds, or until foam forms. Hint hint: This is key for a perfectly frothy espresso martini.

Once your martini is perfectly combined and foamy, strain it into a coupe glass of your choice. If you have a small kitchen strainer, I’d recommend double-straining your martini. New to this? All you need to do is use your cocktail strainer, and pour it over the strainer into your glass. I like to do this to create an ultra-smooth drink, but it’s not a requirement for a great espresso martini.

Now, here comes my favorite part of serving any cocktail: creating the garnish. First, cover half of the top of the glass with a paper towel or a piece of paper. Then dust the exposed half with espresso or cocoa powder, and garnish with coffee beans (as many as your heart desires, or 3 for good luck). To dust with the powder, add to a sieve or strainer, and gently shake over your drink.

The full list of ingredients and directions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• How do I make a frothy espresso martini? My favorite tip for a frothy espresso martini? Use a fresh shot of espresso, and shake it along with your other ingredients in a shaker vigorously for long enough to chill it all and create a foam. Once shaken, you’re going to want to double-strain it into your glass, and voila! A chilled, frothy espresso martini is at your fingertips.
• The best kind of coffee to use: If you can't get a fresh shot of espresso, no need to fear! Though a freshly pulled shot really pulls this drink together, I’ve found that you can get similar results with 1 oz. cold brew coffee concentrate. Looking to make your own cold brew? Check out Delish’s favorite coffee beans for cold brew. No espresso machine but craving that signature taste? Visit your local coffee shop and pick up a couple of shots.
• The best alcohol for an espresso martini: Along with your coffee component and simple syrup, you need a coffee liqueur and vodka to complete your martini. I recommend Kahlúa—a recurring character in many of Delish’s coffee cocktails—but you can use any coffee liqueur you prefer, like Mr. Black. Choose your favorite vodka, or consult Delish’s tried-and-tested list of our favorite vodka brands.
• What do three coffee beans mean? In addition to the espresso powder (or cocoa powder) topping, I added the signature garnish to an espresso martini: coffee beans. You can add as many as you like, but three coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness, so if you’re looking for some well wishes, 3 will be your lucky number.
• Variations: While this classic recipe deserves all the hype, you can experiment to make this espresso martini work for you. Don’t like sugar in your coffee? Go ahead and remove that simple syrup! More of a cream and sugar type of person? Add in 1/2 oz. Baileys to make it creamy.