Espresso Martini Recipe: Classic, Foamy and Easy at Home
An espresso martini is 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of coffee liqueur and 1 ounce of fresh espresso, shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled glass. This espresso martini recipe takes about 5 minutes, and the thick foam on top comes from the shake, not from any special ingredient.
Below you will find the classic drink, how to get the foam every time, a version without an espresso machine, peppermint, gingerbread and pumpkin variations for the holidays, a pitcher batch for a party, and a non-alcoholic option. This recipe is for adults of legal drinking age.
What You’ll Need
Cocktail shaker – the foam depends on a hard shake with plenty of ice
Jigger – measures 1 and 2 ounce pours so the drink stays balanced
Fine mesh strainer – catches ice chips so the foam stays smooth
Coupe or martini glasses – a stemmed glass keeps the drink cold
Espresso roast coffee beans – for the shot and for the three-bean garnish
Stovetop moka pot – makes strong coffee if you do not own an espresso machine
Espresso Martini Ingredients
This makes 1 drink.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce (1 shot) freshly brewed espresso
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup, optional, for a sweeter drink
- Ice
- 3 whole coffee beans for garnish
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, stirred over low heat until the sugar dissolves. If you want a flavored one, the base in our coffee syrup recipe works here too.
How to Make an Espresso Martini
- Chill the glass. Put a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you work.
- Pull 1 shot of espresso. Use it within a minute or two, while the crema is still on top.
- Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full with ice.
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup, if using.
- Seal the shaker and shake as hard as you can for 15 to 20 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel frosty.
- Empty the glass if you filled it with ice water. Strain the drink through the shaker’s strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the glass.
- Wait about 10 seconds for the foam to settle into a layer, then float 3 coffee beans on top.
How to Get a Foamy Espresso Martini
The foam is made of tiny air bubbles held in place by the oils and dissolved solids in espresso. Three things decide how much of it you get.
- Fresh espresso. A shot with crema on top foams far better than coffee that has been sitting. Brew it last, right before you shake.
- A hard, long shake. Count to at least 15. A gentle shake gives you a flat drink.
- Plenty of ice. A shaker that is mostly full of ice chills the drink quickly and whips in more air than a few loose cubes.
Pour right away. The foam starts to thin if the drink sits in the shaker. If your shots are coming out thin and pale, our guide on how to dial in espresso walks through grind and timing.
Espresso Martini Without an Espresso Machine
You need 1 ounce of strong coffee. These are the usual substitutes, from closest to espresso to least close.
| Coffee base | How much | Foam | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moka pot coffee | 1 ounce, hot | Good | Closest flavor to espresso |
| Capsule machine espresso | 1 espresso capsule | Good | Quick and consistent |
| Cold brew concentrate | 1 ounce, undiluted | Thinner | Smooth, easy for batches |
| Instant espresso powder | 1 1/2 teaspoons in 1 ounce hot water | Fair | Works with no equipment |
Cold brew makes a smoother drink with less foam, so shake a few seconds longer. To make your own concentrate, see how to make cold brew coffee at home. If you are shopping for a stovetop brewer, we compare them in our guide to the best stovetop espresso makers.
Espresso Martini Variations
Peppermint Espresso Martini
Swap the simple syrup for 1/2 ounce of peppermint syrup. For a candy cane rim, crush 1 candy cane on a small plate, wet the rim of the glass with a little syrup and dip it before you chill the glass. If you only have peppermint extract, use 1 or 2 drops along with the simple syrup. It is much stronger than syrup.
Gingerbread Christmas Espresso Martini
Swap the simple syrup for 1/2 ounce of gingerbread syrup and dust the foam with a pinch of ground cinnamon. The homemade syrup in our gingerbread latte recipe works well.
Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
Swap the simple syrup for 1/2 ounce of pumpkin spice syrup and dust the foam with a pinch of pumpkin pie spice. The syrup from our pumpkin spice latte recipe is the one to use.
Creamy Espresso Martini
Replace the simple syrup with 1/2 ounce of Irish cream liqueur. The drink turns a lighter tan and tastes closer to a dessert.
Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini
Shake 2 ounces of cold brew concentrate, 1 ounce of fresh espresso and 3/4 ounce of simple syrup with ice, exactly as above. You still get foam, because the foam comes from the coffee. Add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a rounder flavor. A non-alcoholic coffee liqueur alternative can stand in for the liqueur if you want to keep the original proportions.
How to Make Espresso Martinis for a Party
Mix the batch ahead and shake to order. For 8 drinks, stir together in a pitcher:
- 2 cups (16 ounces) vodka
- 1 cup (8 ounces) coffee liqueur
- 1 cup (8 ounces) espresso or cold brew concentrate, cooled
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) simple syrup, optional
Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. To serve, pour about 4 1/2 ounces (a generous 1/2 cup) per drink into a shaker full of ice, shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds and strain. Shake 2 drinks at a time at most, so there is room for air in the shaker. Put the glasses in the freezer before guests arrive.
Setting up a drink table for the holidays? Our Christmas coffee bar ideas cover the non-alcoholic side.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
Method
- Chill the glass. Put a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you work.
- Pull 1 shot of espresso. Use it within a minute or two, while the crema is still on top.
- Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full with ice.
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup, if using.
- Seal the shaker and shake as hard as you can for 15 to 20 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel frosty.
- Empty the glass if you filled it with ice water. Strain the drink through the shaker’s strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the glass.
- Wait about 10 seconds for the foam to settle into a layer, then float 3 coffee beans on top.
Marcus’s Pro Tips
- Brew the espresso last. Have the ice, vodka and liqueur measured before you pull the shot.
- Do not worry about hot espresso. It goes straight onto a shaker full of ice and chills in seconds. Just use plenty of ice so the drink does not end up watery.
- Taste before adding syrup. Coffee liqueur is already sweet. Make the first drink without syrup, then decide.
- Double strain. Small ice chips break up the foam and water down the last sips.
- Use decaf for late evenings. A decaf shot foams the same way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in an espresso martini?
Vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, often with a little simple syrup. It is shaken with ice and served without ice in a stemmed glass, with 3 coffee beans on top.
Why is it called a martini if there is no gin or vermouth?
The name comes from the glass. The drink is credited to London bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s, and it picked up the martini name when it was served in a V-shaped martini glass.
Why are there 3 coffee beans on an espresso martini?
It is a tradition borrowed from Italian sambuca service, where 3 beans are said to stand for health, wealth and happiness.
Why is my espresso martini not foamy?
Usually the coffee was not fresh, the shake was too short or there was too little ice. Use a just-brewed shot, fill the shaker two-thirds with ice and shake hard for a full 15 to 20 seconds.
Can I make an espresso martini with regular coffee?
Regular drip coffee is too weak and makes a thin, watery drink. Use moka pot coffee, cold brew concentrate or instant espresso powder dissolved in a small amount of hot water.
How much caffeine is in an espresso martini?
About the same as a single shot of espresso, roughly 60 to 65 milligrams, plus a small amount from the coffee liqueur. Use decaf espresso if you want less.
Can I make espresso martinis ahead of time?
You can mix the ingredients up to 24 hours ahead and keep the pitcher in the fridge. Shake each drink with ice right before serving, because the foam does not hold.
That is the full espresso martini recipe, from the classic to the holiday versions. Please enjoy it responsibly. For cozy drinks without alcohol, try our peppermint mocha recipe and white chocolate mocha recipe.
Marcus Webb writes about home coffee for BrewElevate. He researches and compares brewing gear, beans and recipes so home brewers can make a better cup without overspending. His rule: if he wouldn’t be comfortable buying it himself, it doesn’t make the list.
