Vanilla Espresso Martini
Advanced
Coffee & Sweet
3 Minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
Just when you thought an Espresso Martini couldn’t get any more luxurious along comes the Vanilla Espresso Martini!
A Vanilla Espresso Martini is an Espresso Martini variation that uses Absolut Vanilia (Vanilla-Flavored Vodka) instead of the original Absolut Vodka.
Not only is this drink one of Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan’s (Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador) favorite Espresso Martini variations but one of his personal favorite drinks to make with vanilla-flavored vodka, period.
How To Make a VANILLA ESPRESSO MARTINI
Bar tools you’ll need
Fine Strainer
Jigger
Boston Shaker
How to Mix
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Use your preferred Coffee Maker to produce freshly brewed Espresso.
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Using a Jigger to measure and pour Kahlúa into the smaller tin of a Boston Shaker.
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Measure and pour the freshly brewed Espresso.
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Measure and pour Absolut Vanilia into the Shaker.
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Fill your Shaker to the top with Ice Cubes.
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Shake vigorously until the Shaker is frosty on the outside.
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Separate the tins of your shaker and double strain the cocktail by placing a Hawthorne Strainer on the top of the larger tin of your Boston Shaker, then pour the mixture through a Fine Mesh Strainer directly into a Martini Glass.
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Garnish by placing a Vanilla Pod over the top of your drink.
Watch Rico make a Vanilla Espresso Martini!
ALL ABOUT THE VANILLA ESPRESSO MARTINI
A Vanilla Espresso Martini is a twist on an Espresso Martini where the delicious subtle notes of vanilla are introduced to the drink. A Vanilla Espresso Martini follows the same drink recipe for an Espresso Martini but substitutes original vodka for vanilla-flavored vodka and is garnished with a vanilla pod to further accentuate the notes of vanilla.
“Vanilla, Coffee. What more is there to say? This drink is insanely good,” shares Rico. And yes, it’s every bit as smooth and decadent as you imagine. It’s got the rich coffee taste of a classic Espresso Martini but with just a touch of warm vanilla.
There isn’t any documented history about the Vanilla Espresso Martini per se, but we can trace its roots back to the legendary Espresso Martini. Crafted in the 1980s by iconic bartender Dick Bradsell in London, this classic set the stage. With Absolut Vanilla hitting the market in 2003, it’s a safe bet that the Vanilla Espresso Martini emerged in the early 2000s.
- Double strain your drink
When pouring the mixture from your Boston Shaker into your Glass, we recommend double straining using a Hawthorne Strainer together with a Fine-Mesh Strainer to make sure your drink is as smooth as possible and you don’t get any ice in your drink. Learn how to double strain a cocktail. - Choose your favorite Espresso
Like any ingredients in any cocktail, the better quality the ingredient, the better your drink will be. And this applies to your choice of Espresso in your Vanilla Espresso Martini. “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,” shares Michael Bergström, Drink Expert from Bartenders’ Choice Awards.
Being that this cocktail is, of course, a twist on a classic Espresso Martini, here are a couple of other variations of a Espresso Martini.
- Virgin Espresso
Can you make an Espresso Martini without alcohol? Yes, and it works beautifully. The Virgin Espresso is a bold blend of cold Espresso Coffee, Vanilla Syrup, and Water. Trust us, it’s the ultimate non-alcoholic indulgence. Discover how to make a Virgin Espresso. - Absolut Peppar Espresso Martini
Where Absolut Vanilla adds a wonderfully smoothness and Vanilla flavor to an Espresso Martini, Absolut Peppar adds a spicy pepperiness that takes the drink experience to a new level. Discover our Absolut Peppar Espresso Martini recipe.
- We recommend serving your Vanilla Espresso Martini in either a Martini Glass or a Cocktail Glass. Be sure to read our article on the different types of cocktail glasses.
- To accentuate the Vanilla flavors of Absolut Vanilla, Rico recommends garnishing the drink with a whole Vanilla Pod.
- Alternatively, you can garnish your drink the way a classic Espresso Martini is garnished and that is with three Coffee Beans gently placed on top of the drink’s creamy head. The three Coffee Beans are said to symbolize health, wealth, and happiness.
- Why not garnish with both a whole Vanilla Pod and three Coffee Beans? After all, it’s your drink!
Vanilla, Coffee...what more is there to say? This drink is insanely good!
Bartender and Global Brand Ambassador
