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Best Espresso Martini Recipe – This classic yet versatile cocktail includes Kahlua and vodka for a sweet, strong, and sophisticated drink with a delightful caffeine kick.

Why We Love This Kahlua Espresso Martini Recipe

What happens when you combine the pep and deliciousness of coffee with quality stout alcohol? You get a fabulous Espresso Martini. THE drink that screams “We are grownups!” …Even if you still feel like a kid on the inside.

Similar to our Peppermint Martini, this classic bold and boozy cocktail is great for the holidays. But here we also have just the right balance of caffeine and crisp vodka, so it’s the kind of drink that keeps a party going well into the night. It’s the perfect after-dinner drink!

You can make a robust dairy-free version, a creamy version (my favorite) with half & half, or even a chocolate espresso martini recipe variation. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can impress your holiday guests all season long.

Coffee Lovers Unite!

Ingredients You Need

Espresso martini ingredients are simple and delicious. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Vodka – quality is key here for truly the best-tasting espresso martini recipe
• Kahlua – a classic coffee liquor made with dark rum
• Espresso – of good quality, freshly brewed and cooled
• Half & half – for a rich and creamy cocktail
• Ice – to chill the martini, but not added to the drinking glass
• Espresso beans – to garnish, if you like (or coffee beans)

Bar Notes: Using Kahlua intensifies the coffee flavor and adds sweetness to this coffee cocktail. If you are using another less-sweet coffee liqueur, you may need to add simple syrup to the shaker.

Keep reading to see more tasty ideas for other optional espresso martini ingredients!

How to Make an Espresso Martini

Using an espresso machine, brew a single shot of espresso and allow it to cool to room temperature. (The espresso must be cooled so that the cocktail isn’t watered down when shaken.)

Once cooled, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Set out one martini glass.

Measure and pour in the vodka and Kahlúa.

Coffee Tips: If you do not own an espresso/coffee machine, you can purchase brewed espresso at a coffee shop or even at some grocery stores. Very strong coffee like french press or cold brew concentrate can be used in a pinch! Do not use instant coffee granules.

Then add cooled espresso and half-and-half.

Get the Complete (Printable) Best Espresso Martini Recipe + VIDEO Below. Enjoy!

See Also

Creamy Espresso Martini (3 ingredients!) - The Perfect TideThe Best Creamy Espresso Martini RecipeHow to Make an Espresso MartiniHow to Make Espresso Martini: The Complete Recipe

Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Using the strainer on the shaker, strain the beverage into the martini glass.

Garnish with 1-5 espresso beans. Serve immediately.

Espresso Martini Variations

• Chocolate espresso martini – Drizzle chocolate sauce in each martini glass before pouring in the cocktail. You can also add a touch of chocolate shavings instead of – or in addition to – the espresso beans as a garnish.
• Mexican Mocha Martini – Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and cayenne pepper to the top of the prepared cocktail.
• Espresso martini with Bailey’s liquor – Swap Kahlua with Bailey’s Irish Cream for an ultra-creamy drink that isn’t quite so heavy on the coffee taste.
• Dairy-free martini – Omit half & half from the ingredients for a lower-calorie, non-creamy espresso martini. However, if you want the creaminess, but not the dairy, use cashew cream instead!

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for More Classic Cocktail Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

• Best 75 French Cocktail Recipe
• Haleakala Holiday Cocktail
• Holiday Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned
• Perfect Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
• Hot Apple Cider Wassail Recipe

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