Espresso Martini: Making a Frothy Classic for the Coffee Lovers (2024)

What is an Espresso Martini?

The signature Espresso Martini. This magical elixir has been jumpstarting nights, extending evenings, and reviving post-dinner spirits since the 1980s! Experience its delectable blend of energizing espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur for a unique pick-me-up - cheers to being pleasantly jolted awake with every sip.

The Espresso Martin origins

When the lights go down on Fred's Club in London, and a night of revelry begins -a top model’s risqué request sparked the creation of a drink that is to become an instant classic. British bartender Dick Bradsell worked his magic to make her wildest wishes come true – blending vodka with espresso and coffee liqueur to produce the Espresso Martini! Who knew one daring demand could stir up such deliciousness?

Revisiting the espresso martini

What could be better than the classic espresso martini? Our version! We've decided to keep the high-quality specialty espresso but lose the traditional coffee liquor, leaving all those remarkable flavors to shine through on their own. Allowing them to take center stage, we guarantee that our version of this classic co*cktail won't disappoint!

How to make espresso martini frothy

The key to achieving maximum fluffiness is to shake your ingredients vigorously. When you look into the shaker and see it’s all frothy and beautiful, pour it into a chilled martini glass and enjoy!

How do you make espresso martinis?

The traditional way to make an espresso martini is to join the espresso with coffee liqueur, usually Kahlúa, and a spirit. Making for a balanced mix of caffeine, booze and sweetness! Shake all the ingredients together for that perfect foam - it's almost too beautiful not to Instagram! Top off your picture-perfect co*cktail with some extra special garnishing: delectable little coffee beans.

The Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 shot of Espresso
  • 1 1/2 oz of Vodka
  • 1/2 oz Rum
  • 1 oz Simple syrup
  • 1 dash of Vanilla extract
  • 3 drops of Orange bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Garnish (optional) - coffee beans

Instructions

1. Combine the espresso, vodka, rum, simple syrup and vanilla extract in a shaker filled with ice cubes.

2. Shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds until it’s cold and frothy.

3. Pour into a chilled martini glass, add three drops of orange bitters and your desired garnish.

Espresso Martini: Making a Frothy Classic for the Coffee Lovers (1)

What liquor is best for an espresso martini?

While the classic Espresso Martini recipe uses vodka, you can innovate by substituting it with your favorite spirit, be it gin or tequila, and even exploring various liqueurs to craft an exclusive Espresso Martini tailored to your palate.

How much alcohol is in an espresso martini?

In an espresso martini, approximately 2 oz of spirit is mixed with coffee and other ingredients, but be aware that the alcohol content can vary depending on the type and amount of spirit used. Please ensure to consume this delightful co*cktail responsibly.

Does espresso martini get you drunk?

An Espresso Martini typically packs a punch of 22–36% alcohol by volume (ABV). That said, it's easy to overindIt's a potent mix of espresso and alcohol, so it's quite strong. Enjoy in moderation, or else you may find yourself having one too many!

Why is my espresso martini not creamy?

If you're not getting a creamy texture, it could be that your espresso is un-frothed. Make sure to froth your espresso before adding it to the co*cktail shaker for the best results - a good frothy foam will make an amazing difference.

Espresso Martini: Making a Frothy Classic for the Coffee Lovers (2)

FAQ

Can you make an espresso martini without an espresso machine?

If you don’t have an espresso machine, using cold brew concentrate is an easy hack. The strongly flavored coffee subs admirably for fresh espresso and keeps the temperature just right.

How many calories are in an Espresso Martini?

With approximately 170 calories per Espresso Martini, moderate consumption is advised for those monitoring their intake. Now, feel free to experiment and personalize your drink.

What do the three beans in an espresso martini mean

The three coffee beans in an espresso martini are often used to represent health, wealth and happiness! It’s said that if you make a wish when you see the three beans, your wish may come true.

With your newfound Espresso Martini expertise, seize the opportunity to host a unique gathering for friends, showcasing your mixology skills with this enticing, coffee-based co*cktail. Regardless of whether your guests are devout coffee fans or simply seeking a novel experience, this luxurious, energizing drink is bound to add a touch of sophistication and excitement to your event.

Espresso Martini: Making a Frothy Classic for the Coffee Lovers (2024)

FAQs

Espresso Martini: Making a Frothy Classic for the Coffee Lovers? ›

Shake until your shaker is visibly frosted. Shake back and forth, but also swish it back and forth. Shake as hard as you can for at least a minute. This will get the fresh oils from the coffee beans in your espresso to bubble up and make that delicious froth you want at the top of your espresso martini.

How to make your espresso martini frothy? ›

Shake until your shaker is visibly frosted. Shake back and forth, but also swish it back and forth. Shake as hard as you can for at least a minute. This will get the fresh oils from the coffee beans in your espresso to bubble up and make that delicious froth you want at the top of your espresso martini.

What liquor is best for an espresso martini? ›

The liquor base for an espresso martini co*cktail is vodka. We recommend choosing a premium unflavored vodka made with the finest ingredients to help the drink truly shine. The drink also incorporates a coffee liqueur.

What does ordering an espresso martini say about you? ›

Espresso Martini: The oh-so-popular espresso martini is the anxious sibling of the avoidant classic martini. In the year 2024, the espresso martini drinker a) wants the alcohol to quell their social anxiety, b) caffeine to stay sharp conversationally, and c) is hyper-conscious about staying on-trend.

What makes espresso frothy? ›

The espresso crema is comprised of microbubbles of CO2 gas that are suspended in water. The bubbles attach to the natural oils and fats present in coffee, then rise to the top of the beverage. The end result is a recognizable “Guinness” effect.

How to make a co*cktail frothy? ›

Denaturizing can be done by shaking your egg whites with lots and lots of air. These strands also start to catch and surround air bubbles, creating your frothy mix. This process happens way better when there is no ice present in the drink, also called dry shaking.

Can you use Baileys instead of Kahlua in espresso martini? ›

This espresso martini recipe differs from classic ones for two main reasons: (1) we use Baileys Irish Cream to make it super creamy and smooth, and (2) there is no Kahlua, simple syrup, or rum in this recipe. Anyway, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts about this sweet and rich Baileys espresso martini.

Is Kahlua good in espresso martini? ›

Kahlúa adds sweetness to your Espresso Martini, balancing out the other ingredients. It also helps create that velvety mouthfeel.

What kind of person drinks espresso martini? ›

Espresso Martini

Coffee, alcohol and sugar - the ultimate combination made for those who live to “work hard, play harder”. If that's you, you're a type A personality who is enviably outgoing, extremely ambitious and rigidly organised. You give 100% to everything you do, both professionally and socially.

Do bartenders like making espresso martinis? ›

6 – A lot of bartenders aren't so crazy about them

For as beloved a drink as the glorious Espresso Martini is, bartenders are not fans, according to Grub Street.

What does an espresso martini do to your body? ›

When these two substances are combined, the caffeine, acting as a stimulant, masks the depressant effects of alcohol, according to a report by the CDC. This makes drinkers feel more alert than they would if they were drinking alcohol alone.

Why is everyone obsessed with espresso martinis? ›

The espresso martini is popular because it's simply a delicious drink: Beautiful to look at (as most martinis are), sweet and smooth, and a sinful mix of caffeine and alcohol. It's suitable for almost any occasion be it brunch, aperitif, after dinner, or just because.

Why is my espresso shot not foamy? ›

For there to be a good layer of crema on the espresso, the coffee must be emulsified at the right temperature and pressure. Extraction time is also key; making a coffee in twenty seconds or in more than thirty seconds will influence the quality and existence of the crema.

How do you get foam on top of espresso? ›

Prepare a shot of espresso in a small cup or glass. Steam milk until it has a velvety texture, creating a layer of microfoam. Pour the microfoam over the espresso, creating a small amount of foam on top to make a delicious macchiato.

How do you get crema on an Espresso Martini? ›

The foam comes from the natural foam that tops a machine-brewed espresso, known as the crema. Adding fresh espresso to a co*cktail shaker that is about half full with ice cubes allows you to aerate the mixture and make it even more foamy.

How do you get the white top on an Espresso Martini? ›

Whipping up that foamy top is the most satisfying part of an Espresso Martini. To get it, you need to use freshly brewed espresso still with its crema, then keep shakin' everything together 'til you can't shake no mo' (or for at least 20 seconds) - and you need to shake HARD.

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