Cocktail Atlas

Espresso Martini

A caffeinated martini perfect for a pick-me-up.

Cocktail Atlas · Updated

Spirit
Vodka
Glass
Martini glass
Method
Shaken
Difficulty
Intermediate

Riff on: Classic Espresso Martini

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An espresso martini with a foam top in a coupe, with coffee beans scattered on a wooden table

Espresso Martini

Ingredients

Ingredients for Espresso Martini. Tick each one as you add it.
AddedMeasureIngredient
2 oz
1 oz
½ oz

Steps

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
  2. Garnish with three coffee beans.

Garnish Three coffee beans

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Batch it For a party of 4–20

Makes 8 drinks, about 35 oz · 1050 ml before ice.

Espresso Martini batch
AmountIngredient
16 oz · 480 mlVodka
8 oz · 240 mlEspresso
4 oz · 120 mlCoffee Liqueur
7 oz · 210 mlCold water, for dilution (approx.)

The water stands in for the melt from shaking: about 25% for a shaken drink. It is an approximation, so taste and adjust. Chill the batch at least 2 hours and pour over fresh ice.

Use a 2 liter pitcher, or split it between two 1 liter bottles.

Made it?

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Why it works

This version doubles down on coffee: a full ounce of espresso and only half an ounce of liqueur, with no extra syrup, so it’s drier and more bitter than the IBA spec. Hard shaking with fresh espresso builds the foam. Three coffee beans on top add aroma.

Substitutions

  • Add ¼ oz simple syrup for a sweeter drink, closer to the classic spec.
  • Strong cold brew can replace espresso; the foam will be lighter.
  • A vanilla vodka adds sweetness and aroma.

Variations

Questions

Why is there no sugar syrup?
It makes for a drier, more coffee-forward drink. Add a little syrup if it tastes too bitter.
How long should it be shaken?
About 15 seconds, hard, to build a thick foam.

Making it: Espresso Martini

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