✔ Updated · classic ratio, thick foam + an alcohol-free version
This espresso martini is the silky, coffee-forward cocktail with the thick creamy foam everyone hopes for. It's an alcoholic drink of vodka, fresh espresso and coffee liqueur for adults of legal drinking age, and there's an alcohol-free version below too.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Shake it harder and longer than feels polite, a full 15 to 20 seconds. That's what turns the espresso's oils into a thick, velvety foam.
Why I Love This Espresso Martini
- A proper foam, thick enough to hold three coffee beans on top.
- Balanced, not syrupy: you control the sweetness with the simple syrup.
- Four ingredients, all easy to keep in a home bar.
What Is an Espresso Martini?
An espresso martini is a shaken cocktail of vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur, sweetened with a touch of syrup. It isn't a true martini (there's no gin or vermouth), but it's served in a martini or coupe glass, and the name stuck.
It's strong, with about 2 ounces of vodka plus liqueur, and it has the caffeine of a shot of espresso. It's my go-to when friends come over for dessert: I pull the shots before anyone arrives, so all that's left is the shaking.
What You'll Need
- Vodka: a clean, smooth vodka you'd happily sip. No need for top shelf. Vanilla or chocolate vodka makes a dessert-style version.
- Espresso: freshly brewed and slightly cooled. Cold brew concentrate is the next best thing.
- Coffee liqueur: adds sweetness, body and a deeper coffee flavor. Any coffee liqueur works; sweetness varies by brand.
- Simple syrup: stir equal parts sugar and hot water until dissolved, then cool. It keeps in the fridge for about a month.
- Coffee beans: three whole beans for the classic garnish.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use fresh espresso. Freshly pulled espresso has the oils that make the foam. If you don't have a machine, cold brew concentrate or strong moka-pot coffee works. Instant espresso dissolved in a little hot water is my emergency backup.
- Cool it, but not for long. Hot espresso melts the ice and waters the drink down. A few minutes on the counter is plenty; the ice does the rest.
- Taste for sweetness. Coffee liqueurs vary a lot. I start with 1/4 ounce of simple syrup and add more only if the drink tastes sharp.
- Double strain. A small sieve under the shaker strainer catches ice chips, so the foam stays smooth and creamy.
- Making two? Pour each glass halfway, then go back and top them both off. The foam comes out last, so both drinks get their share.
- Drink responsibly. With 2 ounces of vodka plus liqueur, this is a strong cocktail and it contains caffeine, so I make it one per person and never for anyone driving.
Classic Espresso Martini
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cocktail5
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kcal5
minutesA classic espresso martini: vodka, freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur and a little simple syrup, shaken hard over ice for a thick, creamy foam and garnished with three coffee beans. An alcoholic cocktail for adults of legal drinking age.
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1 oz freshly brewed espresso, cooled (or cold brew concentrate)
1/2 oz coffee liqueur
1/4 to 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water), to taste
1 cup ice cubes
3 coffee beans, to garnish
Directions
- Brew a shot of espresso and let it cool for a few minutes. Put a coupe or martini glass in the freezer to chill while you set up.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and simple syrup.
- Close the shaker tightly and shake very hard for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty. Hard shaking is what whips the coffee oils into the foam.
- Double strain through the shaker strainer and a fine mesh sieve into the chilled glass, so the foam is smooth and free of ice chips.
- Let it settle for a few seconds, then float 3 coffee beans on the foam and serve right away.
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Alcohol-Free Espresso Martini (Mocktail)
For a zero-proof version, shake 2 ounces of cooled espresso, 1 ounce of whole milk or oat milk, 1/2 ounce of simple syrup and 2 to 3 drops of vanilla extract very hard with ice for 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe and add the three coffee beans. It's still caffeinated, so it's an after-dinner treat for grown-ups, not the kids.
Easy Variations
- Baileys espresso martini: add 1 ounce of Irish cream for a creamier, mellow drink. My Baileys cocktails roundup has more ideas.
- Chocolate espresso martini: swap half the vodka for chocolate vodka or add 1/2 ounce of creme de cacao.
- Salted caramel: use caramel syrup instead of simple syrup and add a tiny pinch of flaky salt.
- Tequila espresso martini: swap the vodka for reposado tequila for a warmer, caramel note.
- Dusted: finish with a pinch of cocoa powder or cinnamon over the foam.
More Drinks to Try
If coffee and cream are your thing, try these drinks with Baileys and Kahlua, a cozy mug of Baileys hot chocolate or a creamy Pink Squirrel cocktail. For something lighter, see my easy gin cocktails and Prosecco cocktails. Curious about the coffee itself? Here's black coffee vs espresso.
🎄 Holiday party? Try more Christmas drinks and festive cocktails, including alcohol-free options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best espresso martini ingredients?
Vodka, freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur and a little simple syrup. A clean, mid-range vodka is all you need, and fresh espresso matters more than anything else because its oils make the foam. Garnish with three coffee beans.
Why are there three coffee beans on an espresso martini?
It's a tradition borrowed from Italian bars, where Sambuca is often served with three coffee beans. They're said to stand for health, wealth and happiness. They also look lovely floating on the foam.
Why doesn't my espresso martini have foam?
Usually the espresso was old or diluted, or the drink wasn't shaken hard enough. Use freshly brewed espresso, fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds. Pouring straight into a chilled glass helps the foam hold.
Can I use cold brew instead of espresso?
Yes. Use cold brew concentrate, not ready-to-drink cold brew, which is too weak. The foam will be a little thinner than with fresh espresso, but the flavor is smooth and the drink is quicker to make ahead.
How do I make an espresso martini without alcohol?
Shake 2 ounces of cooled espresso, 1 ounce of milk or oat milk, 1/2 ounce of simple syrup and a few drops of vanilla extract hard with ice, then strain into a chilled glass. It still gets a lovely foam and the three-bean garnish.
