Are you looking for a delicious, flavorful cocktail that’ll make your taste buds dance? Well, look no further than the espresso martini! These 19 recipes highlight this delightful classic, offering variations made with all kinds of delicious ingredients. Not only are these espresso martinis easy to whip up – they’re also sure to impress your guests. So get ready to enjoy these unbelievable libations!
But first, let’s answer a few common questions we get:
What liquor is best for an expresso martini?
If you’re looking to make the perfect espresso martini, choosing the right liquor is key. Generally speaking, vodka is an excellent option to use in espresso martini recipes and works well with coffee flavors. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you may want to try a white rum, which adds some natural sweetness, or even gin for a more citrusy flavor (check out #11 below!).
Is Baileys or Kahlua better for espresso martinis?
There’s no right answer. It really just depends on what flavor you’re after. For something that leans more towards the chocolate side and is a little richer and creamier, go with Baileys. But if using espresso is your number one priority, opt for Kahlua because its coffee notes will really bring out the espresso flavor.
What are espresso martinis made of?
There are so many variations (as you’ll see below), but all you need to make a classic espresso martini is espresso coffee (a strong brew!), vodka, coffee liquor, and some simple syrup. Depending on your taste preferences, you can also add different ingredients like mint, caramel, cinnamon, and basically anything else you can think of. Be sure to check our list below for tons of inspiration!
How do I make my espresso martini frothy?
The key is to use espresso that is freshly made because espresso that has been sitting for a while will lack the smooth, frothy texture that makes the espresso martini so irresistible. For added bubbles and foam, shake the espresso martini ingredients vigorously with extra ice and strain it into a chilled glass when ready to serve. That way, you’ll get an espresso martini with wonderful aromas and a exquisitely foamy top.
Our Favorite Espresso Martini Recipes
1. Gastronomer Lifestyle’s How to Make an Espresso Martini
We love this elevated espresso martini recipe and blog post because Gastronomer Lifestyle goes into detail about choosing the right ingredients from the best vodka to the coffee itself. Get the recipe here.
2. Sips from Scripts’ Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini
‘Nuff said in the title! With how popular pumpkin spiced everything is, it’s no surprise we love this recipe from Sips from Scripts. This is one of those espresso martini recipes you need to taste to believe. Get the recipe here.
3. Shake Drink Repeat’s Best Espresso Martini Recipe
Shake Drink Repeat’s recipe is simple, easy to make, and classic. There are no frills, but if you just want to quickly throw an espresso martini together at home, this is the one. Get the recipe here.
4. Iowa Girl Eats’ Cold Brew Martini
No espresso? No problem! This cold brew martini recipe is an awesome alternative that still keeps the nature of the drink the same while changing the aesthetic and has a slightly more subtle flavor. Get the recipe here.
5. Creative Culinary’s Disaronno Velvet Espresso Martini Cocktail
If you’re a fan of amaretto liquor, this cocktail will take the experience to a whole new level. Creative Culinary uses Disaronno Velvet Cream Liqueur to give this drink a rich and creamy texture. Get the recipe here.
6. Tito’s Espresso Martini
This one is a classic recipe with a thin layer of foam on top and crafted by Tito’s. They obviously did this for marketing purposes, but the flavor and presentation is actually really good! Get the recipe here.
7. Creators of Coffee’s Frangelico Espresso Martini Cocktail (Hazelnut)
If you’re unfamiliar with Frangelico, it’s a delicious hazelnut-flavored liquor, and if hazelnut and coffee sounds like a match made in heaven, you need to try Creators of Coffee’s recipe! Get the recipe here.
8. Kahlua’s Espresso Martini Drink Recipe
Kahlua really simplifies their recipe, which means you might not get the same flavor as a more original recipe with simple syrup, but it’s definitely good enough, especially if you’re just trying to make a quick drink. Get the recipe here.
9. Chenée Today’s Peppermint Espresso Martini
It may not be winter when you read this, but that’s never stopped us from making this amazing rendition of espresso martini! We absolutely love anything mint flavored, and it’s actually especially good during spring and summer when it gets hot so you can cool down a bit. Get the recipe here.
10. Bits and Bites’ Creamy Espresso Martini with Baileys
If you’re getting a little tired of the traditional espresso martini, add a creamy texture to your drink by simply splashing in some Baileys! Get the recipe here.
11. Chisel and Fork’s Gin Espresso Martini
Most people use vodka in their espresso martini, but gin can also be a delicious way to go. It adds a botanical and slightly citrusy flavor that compliments the coffee well. Get the recipe here.
12. Delightful E Made’s Baileys Espresso Martini (4 Ingredients)
Here’s a simplified version of the Baileys espresso martini mentioned above with just 4 ingredients. If you’re mainly looking for an easy, yet delicious, recipe, here ya go! Get the recipe here.
13. Endangered Species Chocolate’s Chocolate Espresso Martini
While most espresso martinis are great after-dinner drinks, this chocolate espresso martini adds a decadence that you don’t get with any of the others. This alone could be a dessert. Get the recipe here.
14. TakesTwoEggs’ Easy Espresso Martini Recipe
We’re all about ease of preparing things, so TakesTwoEggs’ caught our eye because of how simple it is, but also how elevated it still looks. Definitely give it a try! Get the recipe here.
15. Cocktail Contessa’s Eggnog Espresso Martini
Like the peppermint espresso martini above, this is another holiday recipe that we still enjoy pretty much any time. We know eggnog is polarizing, but we love it, and it’s even better mixed with espresso and coffee flavors. Get the recipe here.
16. Vintage American Cocktails’ Original Espresso Martini Recipe
If you’re looking for the true classic recipe, as well as a little history lesson on where the original espresso martini came from, Vintage American Cocktails has got you covered! Get the recipe here.
17. Orchids and Sweet Tea’s Espresso Martini Recipe Without Kahlua
Coffee liquor is an important ingredient in espresso martinis, but just because Kahlua is the most popular brand, that doesn’t mean you need it to create a delicious cocktail. Orchids and Sweet Tea shows you how you can create a replacement from scratch and get an even more tailored flavor based on your own preferences. Get the recipe here.
18. Beans and Burrs’ Dark Velvet Coffee Cocktail Recipe
Here’s another delicious variation! Beans and Burrs uses rum instead of vodka to add some natural sweetness, and a splash of amaretto liquor for those almond and apricot tones. Get the recipe here.
19. Inspire Travel Eat‘s Simple Espresso Martini Recipe
Inspire Travel Eat keeps the recipe simple and sprinkles some cinnamon on top to elevate the flavor. It’s so simple and so tasty. Get the recipe here.
So that’s our list of the top 19 espresso martini recipes that are sure to impress your guests (or yourself, if you’re making them for a night in!). We hope you enjoy trying out some of these recipes and would love to see how they turn out. Be sure to DM us on Instagram and let us know which one was your favorite!
