Espresso Martini

Name: Espresso Martini
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 50 ml / 1.7 oz Vodka; 25 ml / 0.85 oz Coffee Liqueur; 25 ml / 0.85 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso; 5-10 ml / 0.15-0.3 oz Simple Syrup (optional)

Ingredients Instructions

The Espresso Martini is a chic and invigorating cocktail that perfectly balances the bitterness of coffee with the sweetness of liqueur and the clean kick of vodka. It is characterized by its dark, alluring appearance and the signature creamy, frothy head, often garnished with three coffee beans. This drink is a popular choice for an after-dinner drink, a pick-me-up before a night out, or for any coffee lover seeking a sophisticated alcoholic beverage. It's a modern classic that has gained immense popularity worldwide.

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Espresso Martini is classified as a modern classic cocktail. It is a coffee-flavored cocktail served as an after-dinner drink or a digestif. It is not a true martini as it contains no gin or vermouth.

Serving

Served chilled in a classic Martini or Coupe glass, this is a relatively strong cocktail with an ABV of around 25-30%. The drink is small in volume but packs a punch in both flavor and effect.

Serving size

Approximately 100-120 ml / 3.5-4 oz

Alcohol content

Around 25-30% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Martini glass or Coupe glass

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The Espresso Martini was created in the early 1980s by British bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie in London. According to Bradsell, a famous model walked in and asked for a drink that would "wake me up, and then f**k me up". He combined vodka, sugar, coffee liqueur, and a shot of fresh espresso from the bar's machine, and a legend was born.

Origin

London, United Kingdom, created in the early 1980s.

Espresso Martini

Originally named the "Vodka Espresso" by its creator, Dick Bradsell, it was also briefly known as the "Pharmaceutical Stimulant". The name "Espresso Martini" eventually became the most popular and widely recognized. This name highlights its key ingredients and its presentation in a V-shaped martini glass.

Original name

Vodka Espresso

Alternative name

Pharmaceutical Stimulant

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a bold aroma of roasted coffee and a rich, bittersweet flavor profile. Its appearance is striking, with a deep brown liquid topped by a velvety crema, and it provides a smooth texture with a warming coffee aftertaste.

Flavor

Rich coffee, bittersweet, smooth, bold

Aroma

Roasted coffee, vanilla, sweet liqueur

Taste balance

Bitter, sweet

Aftertaste

Lingering coffee, clean, warming

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Deep dark brown, almost black, with a thick, creamy, pale-tan foam head (crema)

Texture

Smooth, creamy, velvety, rich

Seasonality

All-season, energizing, sophisticated

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Espresso Martini has a balanced sweetness and bitterness with no sourness or saltiness. It has a high alcohol strength and a rich, creamy texture from the foam, but is not carbonated.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three core ingredients: a neutral vodka, a rich coffee liqueur like Kahlúa, and a shot of hot, freshly brewed espresso. Simple syrup can be added to adjust the sweetness to your preference.

Vodka50 ml / 1.7 oz
A good quality, neutral vodka is recommended.
Coffee Liqueur25 ml / 0.85 oz
Kahlúa or Tia Maria are popular choices.
Freshly Brewed Espresso25 ml / 0.85 oz
Must be hot and freshly brewed to create the best foam.
Simple Syrup5-10 ml / 0.15-0.3 oz(optional)
Adjust to taste, or omit if you prefer a less sweet drink.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker and strainer to mix and chill the drink, along with a jigger for accurate measurements. An espresso machine is essential for creating the fresh, hot coffee shot needed for the signature foam.

Cocktail shaker for shaking ingredients with ice
Strainer (Hawthorne or fine mesh) for pouring into the glass
Jigger for measuring ingredients
Espresso machine or method to make strong coffee

Instructions

The key to a great Espresso Martini is shaking the ingredients—vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso—vigorously with ice. This creates the signature velvety foam, which is then strained into a chilled glass and garnished.

1. Chill your serving glass (Martini or Coupe) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Brew a fresh, hot shot of espresso and let it cool for a moment.

3. Fill a cocktail shaker with cubed ice.

4. Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, hot espresso, and simple syrup (if using) into the shaker.

5. Seal the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. This is crucial for creating the thick, creamy foam.

6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.

7. Double-strain the mixture into the chilled glass to ensure a smooth texture and a perfect foam top.

8. Garnish with three coffee beans placed gently on the center of the foam.

9. Serve immediately while the foam is fresh.

Garnishing

The classic garnish is three coffee beans placed carefully on top of the creamy foam. They are said to represent health, wealth, and happiness.

Three coffee beans arranged in a petal shape on the foam

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains caffeine and is typically dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and vegan, though it's always best to check the specific brand of coffee liqueur used. It is also generally gluten-free, but those with severe sensitivities should verify the vodka brand.

✓ Contains alcohol

✕ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

Per serving, this cocktail contains approximately 200-250 calories and 15-20 grams of carbohydrates, almost all of which are sugars from the liqueur and any added syrup.

Calories

Averagely 200-250 kcal / 837-1046 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Averagely 15-20 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Averagely 15-20 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect as a sophisticated after-dinner digestif or a stylish pick-me-up to start an evening. It's an excellent choice for cocktail parties and celebrations. Its energizing qualities make it a popular drink for a night out.

After-dinner drink
Night out
Cocktail party
Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The Espresso Martini pairs wonderfully with sweet treats, especially those with chocolate or coffee flavors like tiramisu or rich chocolate cake. It also complements simple biscotti for dipping. For a savory option, a mild cheese board can balance the drink's sweetness and bitterness.

Chocolate desserts
Tiramisu
Biscotti
A cheese board with mild cheeses

Espresso Martini: The Ultimate Sophisticated Pick-Me-Up

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic cocktail renowned for its ability to both energize and relax. Created in the 1980s, it combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso to produce a drink that is rich, smooth, and beautifully balanced between sweet and bitter. Its most distinguishing feature is the thick, creamy foam that crowns the dark liquid, traditionally garnished with three coffee beans. Perfect as an after-dinner drink or a sophisticated start to a night out, the Espresso Martini is a worldwide favorite for coffee and cocktail lovers alike.