The Many Expressions of the Espresso Martini Cocktail

Invented by British mixologist Dick Bradsell in the 1980s, the original espresso martini cocktail is an exquisite combination of vodka, coffee liqueurs, strong coffee and three coffee beans as garnish. The result is a rich, creamy and indulgent cocktail.

Decades later, the classic is still buzzing. Whether you are loyal to its original version or like to experiment with different flavors, an espresso martini cocktail is the perfect nightcap or the best way to kick off the rest of your night.

How to Make the Original Espresso Martini Cocktail

The original Espresso Martini Cocktail recipe contains only three ingredients: espresso, coffee liqueur and vodka. Don’t forget the signature garnish: three whole coffee beans sitting atop of the frothy surface. This finishing touch comes from the Italian tradition of using three coffee beans as a garnish in a cafe corretto, with the beans representing health, wealth and happiness.

Sweeten Things Up

If you like to enjoy a sweeter type of espresso martini cocktail, add a chocolatey spin to your cocktail. The Mocha Martini Cocktail is great any time of day or as a sweet, satisfying end to your meal as an after-dinner drink.

Add Some Mintiness

If you’re feeling festive around the holidays or just love the flavor of peppermint, try the Candy Cane Martini Cocktail. Not only is it a beautiful cocktail to enjoy during a cold winter day to cozy up to, but it also adds subtle notes of freshness to your martini cocktail.

Make a Different Coffee-Based Cocktail

The high number of different coffee cocktail iterations comes as no surprise. After all, there are a lot of coffee lovers out there. You can explore with different types of coffee and ingredients.

For instance, the Aperitivo Espresso contains coffee and tonic water with vodka for a fizzy, mid-day aperitif. An orange garnish brings a touch of citrus for a brighter tasting coffee cocktail.

For a more purist approach, the Black Russian keeps things simple with just vodka and a coffee liqueur.

Can You Use Strong Coffee Instead of Espresso in an Espresso Martini Cocktail?

If you already have an espresso machine, you’re in luck. Just pull an espresso shot and you’re good to go. But don’t worry if you don’t have one — there are still plenty of ways to experience this cocktail.

• Cold Brew: You can substitute the espresso with cold brew coffee. For an even stronger kick of flavor, use cold brew concentrate.
• Brewed Coffee: You can also just use freshly brewed coffee. Try to make it extra strong.
• Instant Coffee: You can even make an extra strong shot of instant coffee. It’s just our least preferred method.

If you want to skip the brewing, go to your local barista and ask for the type of coffee the recipe calls for.

Should the Espresso Be Hot or Cold?

When making a cocktail, the espresso (or coffee) you use can be either hot or cold, but it makes most sense to let it cool down a bit before incorporating. So make it ahead of time, or you can even pop it in the fridge to speed things up. 

If you don’t have the extra time to let it cool, however, that’s ok: you will be shaking it with ice to help everything cool down. Just know that the warmer the liquid, the more it may melt the ice and dilute your drink.

How Do You Make Espresso Martini Cocktail Foam?

The crowning achievement of the espresso martini cocktail is its signature foam. This adds both a textural and aesthetic appeal to the drink. It also provides a place to balance the three traditional coffee beans.

To make the perfect espresso martini cocktail foam, 1.) use freshly brewed espresso or coffee and 2.) shake vigorously. These two tips work because the oils in coffee help create the emulsification (fresh works better than instant) and shaking helps trap more air and create those tiny little bubbles.

Find the Right Tools

Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, you’ll be ready to shake things up. Literally. The classic espresso martini cocktail is shaken, not stirred, which gives it its frothy complexion. We recommend using a Boston shaker as it’s both easy to use and efficient. Another key component is a tea strainer, which is a really fine strainer to avoid larger chunks of ice falling into your drink and diluting it. 

Finally, presentation is key. Oddly enough, coffee martini cocktails are not always served in a martini cocktail glass. You may want to serve them in a coupe glass. If you do decide to invest in this type of glassware, rest assured that they will come in handy for many other types of vodka cocktails and champagne.

The espresso martini cocktail is one of those classics that is not only delicious and easy to make, but also a good base for a wide variety of other coffee cocktails. Which one will be your favorite?