How to Make the Best Espresso Martini

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WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Espresso Martini is an icon of the cocktail world and has captivated aficionados with its rich flavors of Coffee.

Creamy, elegant and indulgent, not only is it a staple in bars, restaurants and lounges across the world but it’s also an essential and easy-to-make cocktail at home. So, without further do, let’s look at how to make the beloved Espresso Martini.

How To Make an Espresso Martini

What You’ll Need

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Coffee Machine (any sort that can produce Espresso)
  • Cocktail Glass or Martini Glass
  • Jigger or Measuring Instrument
  • Fine Strainer

How to Mix

  1. Brew the Espresso.
  2. Grab a Cocktail Shaker and pour in the Espresso.
  3. Add in Kahlúa followed by Absolut Vodka.
  4. Add Ice Cubes all the way to the top.
  5. Shake well to get it foamy. 
  6. Together with a Fine Strainer, double strain into a Cocktail Glass or Martini Glass.
  7. Garnish by placing three Coffee Beans on top.

Watch Rico and Hedda Bruce Show How to Make the Ultimate Espresso Martini

What is an Espresso Martini?

A fusion of bold flavors and sophistication. This iconic cocktail combines the rich, intense notes of Espresso with the smooth, velvety texture of Kahlúa. Shaken to perfection and served ice-cold, it delivers a powerful caffeine kick and a burst of indulgent flavors, all crowned with a creamy foam. 

Hedda Bruce, award-winning, renowned Bar Manager at Tjoget, describes it as the “Perfect after-dinner cocktail”.

What Does an Espresso Martini Taste Like?

A bold, velvety blend of coffee with a hint of sweetness.

“The Absolut Vodka comes straight through, elevating all the flavors there making everything just taste more. And the Kahlúa
right there – the coffee liqueur – gives it an almost chocolate-y note,” describes Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador Rico.

Hedda shares, “There’s the sweet flavor of coffee together with Absolut Vodka, which balances very well together.”

The History of the Espresso Martini

This cocktail was a result of an off-the-cuff lightbulb moment by the pioneering and now late but legendary bartender Dick Bradsell who also invented the Bramble, the Treacle and the Russian Spring Punch.

Michael Bergström, Drinks Expert from Bartenders’ Choice Awards, shares the following: “The story goes that in the mid-80s a supermodel walked up to Dick Bradsell and asked him for a drink in a manner we can’t repeat here. The bartender swiftly pulled a Fresh Espresso from the newly installed Coffee Machine in the bar and mixed it with Vodka, Kahlúa and a touch of Sugar. He then gave it a good shake and strained it into a Martini Glass, and just like that a modern classic was born.”

Fast-forward to today, the Espresso Martini has surpassed drinks such as the Mojito and Margarita in terms of fame and recognition.

Variations of an Espresso Martini

  • Virgin Espresso
    An Espresso Martini without alcohol? Yes, and it works beautifully. A bold blend of cold Espresso Coffee, Vanilla Syrup, and Water. Topped with two Coffee Beans, it offers a powerful caffeine kick and a jolt of sophistication, making it the ultimate non-alcoholic indulgence. Discover how to make an Espresso Martini without alcohol.

  • Vanilla Espresso Martini
    This is one of Rico’s personal favorites and, trust us, one of the best Espresso Martini variations you will find. Can you imagine anything more delicious? It uses Absolut Vanilia, a Vanilla-Flavored Vodka together with a Vanilla Pod to give the drink all those warm vanilla flavors that marry perfectly with the bold coffee flavor and creamy and pillowy foam. Don’t miss our Vanilla Espresso Martini recipe.

  • Absolut Peppar Espresso Martini
    Coffee and spice and all things nice. Wow, talk about adding a new dimension to your drinking experience. The lovely peppery kick that comes from the Absolut Peppar takes the classic cocktail to new heights. You still get all the smoothness and lusciousness of the classic version but with a unique sting. Take a look at our Absolut Peppar Espresso Martini recipe.

  • Absolut Grapefruit Espresso Martini
    Now this is one unique and fantastic twist! Grapefruit and coffee? What might seem like an unlikely combination, the two actually pair together wonderfully. Trust us! Here’s how to make an Absolut Grapefruit Espresso Martini.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Manhattan

One or Three Coffee Beans
It’s traditionally garnished with three Coffee Beans, gently placed on top of the drink’s creamy head, which Michael says symbolizes health, wealth, and happiness.

As Hedda demonstrates in the video, you can also crush a single coffee bean with your thumb and then sprinkle it on top of your drink.

A Martini Glass or a Coffee Mug 

“As the name suggests, the Espresso Martini is served in a Martini Glass or stemmed Cocktail Glass, but you can definitely use whatever glass you have at hand. Why not a Short Glass over Ice?”, suggests Michael.

Similarly, Rico says, “If you don’t have a Martini glass, just make it in a Rock’s Glass or make it in a Coffee Mug if you want. It doesn’t matter ‘cause it’s your drink and it’s how you want to drink it at home.”

Chill that Glass

“One recommendation that goes for any cocktail is to pre-chill your stemmed glasses in a freezer before you pour it, keeping it crisp and cool all the way through to the final sip,” suggests Michael. And this is true for the Espresso Martini.

Tips for Making the Perfect Espresso Martini

  • Shake It Until You Make It
    First and foremost, you’ll need a Cocktail Shaker. As Michael explains, “There are many different variations but the most common are Cobbler, Boston or Parisian style cocktail shakers, for the last two you need a Hawthorne Strainer as well. In a home environment though, a sports drink shaker could be an option as they often have a convenient built in strainer (healthy sinner right there!).”When filling your Cocktail Shaker, ice it all the way to the top.

    Once you’ve finished shaking, you should have lots of froth and see big bubbles in your Shaker. “You always known that you’ve shaken it well when you get this type of gradiation – like a good Stout, really,” says Rico.

    Check out the FAQ below for more information on the importance of properly shaking your drink and its impact on the taste.

  • Double Strain
    No one likes to chew ice in their drink. Using the strainer in your cocktail strainer isn’t sufficient enough. Therefore, you’ll need to use a Fine Strainer or any other kind of fine-mesh strainer, such as a Tea-Strainer, to double strain your drink to make sure you don’t get any ice in your drink.

  • Choosing the Right Espresso
    The quality of the Espresso will determine the quality of your cocktail. Using any type of Espresso Machine, be it a manual Espresso Maker or a stovetop Moka pot, you can produce great quality Espresso and to your liking. The right grind and extraction are key for a rich, flavorful cocktail.

    Pods also work exceptionally well. “There are a number of different pods on the market, all with different character and intensity. We prefer quite a high intensity pod for ours. But by all means, feel free to experiment with Cold Brew or regular Filter Coffee for a less intense profile,” shares Michael Bergström.

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