Whether you’re throwing a small get-together or a large party, an espresso martini is the perfect drink to take your celebration up a notch. It’s delicious as a digestif served after dinner or as an invigorating pick-me-up later in the evening. Plus, it’s easy to make — and you can customize it to your liking.
Make an espresso martini by mixing 2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz coffee liqueur, and 1 shot of espresso. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Add a teaspoon of sugar or simple syrup to balance the bitterness of the coffee, if desired. Garnish with 3 coffee beans or chocolate shavings.
Let’s take a closer look at what an espresso martini is, which ingredients are involved, and how to make one right at home. Plus, we’ll go through some tips on how to achieve the most decadent flavor possible.
What Is an Espresso Martini?

An espresso martini is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso. The espresso martini has become one of the most popular cocktails in the world, with the coffee liqueur and espresso giving the drink a rich, complex, irresistible flavor.
Dick Bradsell, a bartender at Fred’s Club in London, invented the espresso martini in the early 1980s. He’s a legend in the bartending world and is credited with creating a handful of the most iconic cocktails, including the Russian Spring Punch and the Bramble.
Bradsell created the espresso martini for a customer who wanted a drink that would, supposedly, “wake me up and f*ck me up.” And that’s exactly what the espresso martini does. It combines the kick of an espresso with the relaxant properties of alcohol, making it the perfect cocktail for any time of day or night.
Today, the espresso martini is a staple on bar menus worldwide.
What Ingredients Are in an Espresso Martini?
An espresso martini is made with coffee liqueur, vodka, and espresso. The coffee liqueur gives it a rich coffee flavor, while the vodka makes it smooth with a slight kick.
There are many variations of the espresso martini. Some like to add an extra shot of espresso to their martini for an additional caffeine boost, while others might use whiskey instead of vodka.
You can add rum instead of vodka for a sweeter martini with more complex flavors. For example, a dark rum will give your espresso martini a molasses-like taste, while white rum has a fruity note that accentuates the coffee liqueur.
The most important ingredient in an espresso martini is, of course, the espresso — and it’s best to use freshly brewed espresso for the best flavor.
Here’s the basic list of ingredients to make one martini, so double or triple the recipe depending on how many people you’re serving:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria)
- 1 shot of freshly brewed espresso (or 1.5 ounces of cold brewed coffee)
- ice cubes
- a shaker (on Amazon)
- a strainer
What if You Don’t Have an Espresso Machine?
Don’t worry; you can still make a delicious cold brew espresso martini without an espresso machine. All you need is some cold brew coffee, vodka, and coffee liqueur. Then combine the ingredients as usual in a shaker with ice and shake until well combined.
To make cold brew coffee, you’ll need to steep coarsely ground coffee beans in cold water for 12-24 hours. Once the coffee is brewed, strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove the grounds.
Cold brew coffee is less acidic than regular coffee, so it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy the flavor of coffee without the harshness of espresso. It’s also less bitter, making it ideal for cocktails.
If you don’t have cold brew coffee on hand, you can use iced coffee instead. Just brew it extra strong so that it will stand up to the vodka and coffee liqueur.
How to Make an Espresso Martini

Now that you know what ingredients you need, it’s time to learn how to make an espresso martini. Proceed as follows:
- Add vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso to a shaker filled with ice cubes.
- Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate shavings, if desired.
You now know how to make a delicious espresso martini and can experiment with variations to find your perfect recipe.
Some favorites are:
- Espresso Martini with Bailey’s: Replace the coffee liqueur with Bailey’s Irish Cream.
- Chocolate Espresso Martini: Add a chocolate liqueur, like Godiva, to the recipe.
- Vanilla Espresso Martini: Use vanilla-flavored vodka and coffee liqueur for a delightful twist.
Experiment with variations of espresso, coffee liqueurs, and spirits until you find your perfect recipe. You might discover your signature drink and the perfect addition to your dinner party menu.
Tips for the Richest Flavor
Making a classic espresso martini is easy, but there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make sure your drink is as delectable as possible:
- Use quality vodka. The rule of thumb is to use the same vodka you would drink neat.
- Use high-quality beans roasted within the last few weeks when possible — the fresher the beans, the better the flavor.
- Grind your beans just before brewing to help preserve their flavor and aroma.
- Store your beans in an airtight container (on Amazon) in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.
- Brew your espresso using fresh, cold water.
- Add a teaspoon of sugar or simple syrup to balance out the bitterness of the coffee.
- When shaking the cocktail, use plenty of ice to chill the drink and prevent it from getting watered down.
- Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass to help ensure that each sip is smooth and flavorful.
- Garnish your martini with coffee beans or a curl of chocolate to add a touch of elegance to your drink, creating a perfect finish.
While the subtlety of these tips might not seem like a big deal, following them will result in a richer, more flavorful espresso martini. Be sure to keep them in mind the next time you’re whipping up this classic cocktail.