Have you ever tried Espresso Martini? This gorgeous pick me up drink is delicious and easy to make!
When I used to teach and come home late and exhausted on Friday nights, my husband would almost immediately hand me a beautiful glass filled with an espresso martini.
That was to celebrate the end of yet another long and tiring week and to ensure I wouldn’t fade or worse fall asleep as soon as I settled on a sofa! He usually had plans for our Friday nights. Espresso martini has stuck as our favourite transition treat, marking the end of a work week and the start of weekend relaxation.
Espresso Martini is a great cocktail if you are a coffee lover. It’s refreshing, invigorating and plain delicious!
Smooth espresso shot plus sweet liqueur aided by the powerful kick of vodka, this cocktail delivers the kick we usually expect of coffee. It wakes us up! Not a bad thing during the busy holiday season.
How do you make an espresso martini?
The standard recipe consists of a shot of espresso, vodka and a coffee liqueur. There are many variations that use either Kahlua or Baileys. We prefer using Kahlua but any coffee liqueur will do.
How do you make the best espresso martini?
To get the most delicious espresso martini you need to use a freshly made and slightly cooled espresso but we’ve also experimented with using Conker’s Cold Brew Liqueur that replaced espresso.
After a few tries with various ingredients, we settled on fresh espresso. No instant coffee or instant espresso powder will do the trick.
Espresso Martini variations
The beauty of this drink is you can modify it according to your taste.
You can add Baileys to make it creamier.
Or you can splash a bit of a chocolate liqueur into the shaker to give it a more decadent taste.
More cocktail recipes

Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur such as Kahlua or Tia Maria
- 1 oz espresso
Instructions
- Combine vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso in a cocktail shaker filled with lots of ice and shake until the cocktail shaker is too cold to hold. Pour in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a coffee bean if desired.
Sammie says
Such a beautiful winter drink. Not that it only has to be made during winter, it reminds me of dark winter evenings. Absolutely perfect.
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Sammie!
Bevyn Cassidy says
Oh wow! What a beautiful drink that sounds so easy to make!
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
These look so sophisticated and love the story behind them 🙂
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Cat! 🙂
Claire Jessiman says
This is my absolute favourite post dinner cocktail but I’ve never attempted it as home as always assumed it would be way more complicated that the method you’ve shared – so thanks!
vikalinka says
It’s a really easy one, Claire! I love that only three ingredients are needed to enjoy it at home!
Lucy Parissi says
I can’t think of a better way to start the weekend than with an Espresso Martini on a Friday evening. It sounds as easy to make as it would be to drink.
vikalinka says
Agreed!! 🙂
Prajakta Sukhatme says
What a perfect pick me up drink recipe. I love the combination of espresso and splash of vodka ! Cheers to good times
vikalinka says
Thanks so much, Prajakta!