Espresso Martini - With a few twists 🍬🌿🍊

I just love an Espresso Martini, it's one of my go to cocktails and as it's World Cocktail Day, I thought I'd share some of my experimental mixes.

Why an Espresso Martini?

For two reasons - firstly, it's a really delicious drink choice to get your night started in the right way, or as a substitute for dessert after dinner.

Secondly, you can make it with different flavours and have a bit of fun with how it tastes.

Usually made up of cold vodka, rich and cold espresso, and coffee liqueur - Espresso Martini is shaken until super frothy and poured into a chilled martini glass.

It's a very decadent and delicious drink :)

The combination of flavours is smooth with a bit of sweet, followed by a deep coffee sensation.

An Espresso Martini is your go to for a little caffeine and a lot of class.

Not a fan of espresso? You can swap it out for strong cafetière (French press) coffee.

No instant coffee granules here though please. This cocktail deserves better.

And if you’re looking to cut back on caffeine, you can always go for decaf coffee.

If coffee liqueur is one of your ingredients, your drink will still have a bit of caffeine so it won’t be totally buzz-free.

And if you're off the alcohol, there's a non alcoholic version to try as well.

Once you've nailed the classic, it's time to try those different flavours.

It's all about fun, experimentation and seeing what works.

And remembering what ingredients you put in, so you know how to make it next time around.

☕🍵Classic Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka (go for a high end brand)
• 30 ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Tia Maria Cold Brew)
• 25 ml freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 10 ml sugar syrup (1:1 ratio of sugar and water)
• Ice
• 3 coffee beans (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Brew your espresso and let it cool slightly — you want it warm, not hot.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and sugar syrup.
4. Shake hard for 15–20 seconds. (The vigorous shake helps create the signature foamy top.)
5. Strain into a chilled martini glass using a fine strainer to get a silky texture.
6. Garnish with three coffee beans in the centre (the coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness).

Here are a few yummy flavour twists to get you started:

• ☕🌿 Mint Espresso Martini– Fresh, cool, serve with an after eight mint chocolate or those mint gold coins.
• ☕🍊 Orange Espresso Martini – Bright and zesty, and a little bit dangerous (go easy!).
• ☕🍬 Salted Caramel Espresso Martini – Rich, indulgent, perfect as a substitute for dessert.
• ☕🚫 Non-alcoholic – All of the taste, without the sore head.

☕🍊 Orange Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 25 ml freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 15 ml orange liqueur (e.g. Cointreau or Triple Sec)
• Zest of ½ an orange (plus more for garnish)
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Shake vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and orange liqueur with ice.
2. Add a strip of orange zest to the shaker before shaking for extra aroma.
3. Double strain into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel or a dehydrated orange slice.

☕🌿 2. Mint Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 25ml Creme de menthe
• 25 ml freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 10 ml sugar syrup
• Mint leaves for garnish
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Gently muddle mint leaves in the shaker.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients with ice and shake vigorously.
3. Double strain into a martini glass to remove mint bits.
4. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig or float a mint leaf.

☕🍬 3. Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 50 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 25 ml freshly brewed espresso (cooled)
• 15 ml salted caramel syrup (adjust to taste)
• Pinch of sea salt
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake hard, then double strain into a martini glass.
3. Garnish with a light dusting of sea salt or a caramel drizzle on the glass rim.

☕🚫 4. Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 50 ml cold brew coffee or strong espresso
• 25 ml non-alcoholic coffee liqueur alternative (or cold brew concentrate)
• 15 ml sugar syrup or vanilla syrup
• Dash of bitters (optional, adds an extra layer of taste)
• Ice
• (Add in muddled mint leaves for mint flavour 🌿, orange juice 🍊 for orange flavour and salted caramel syrup ☕🍬 for salted caramel flavour).

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
2. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with 3 coffee beans or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Happy experimenting!