2.6 from 789 votes

Virgin Espresso Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Virgin Espresso, also known as a Virgin Espresso Martini, is an alcohol-free version of an Espresso Martini, blending the rich flavor of Espresso with the sweetness of Vanilla Syrup.

Served in a chilled Martini Glass, the Virgin Espresso is bold, sophisticated and the perfect after-dinner mocktail. Want to impress your guests at your next gathering? You can never go wrong with a Virgin Espresso.

How To Make a Virgin Espresso

Ingredients

Parts ml
Number of Servings
1

Rate this recipe

What You’ll Need

  • Boston Shaker
  • Jigger or Measuring Instrument
  • Coffee Maker (any type that can make Espresso)
  • Hawthorne Strainer
  • Martini Glass

How to Mix

  1. Prepare your Espresso using your preferred type of Coffee Maker.
  2. Refrigerate your Freshly Brewed Espresso for at least one hour.
  3. Fill a Boston Shaker with Ice Cubes once your Espresso is cold.
  4. Use a Jigger to measure and pour Espresso into the Shaker.
  5. Measure and pour Vanilla Syrup into the Shaker.
  6. Measure and pour Chilled Water into the Shaker.
  7. Assemble your Shaker and shake vigorously until chilled.
  8. Place a Hawthorne Strainer over the larger tin of your Shaker and pour the cocktail through the strainer into a Chilled Martini Glass.
  9. Garnish with a single Coffee Bean.
  10. Sip and enjoy!

WATCH HOW TO MAKE A VIRGIN ESPRESSO

Tips for Making the Perfect Virgin Espresso

  • Chill your Martini Glass
    Serving your mocktails or cocktails in a chilled glass is always a good idea and enhances the overall experience. This is true for the Virgin Espresso, where Cold Espresso and Chilled Water, served in a Chilled Martini Glass, take this drink to a whole other level.

  • Chill your Espresso
    To make the perfect Virgin Espresso, you really need to use Cold Espresso. So, at least one hour before making this drink, brew your Espresso and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Virgin Espresso

For glassware, we recommend serving your Virgin Espresso in a chilled Martini Glass, just like a classic Espresso Martini.

As for garnish, traditionally, the Espresso Martini is garnished with three Coffee Beans on its creamy head, symbolizing health, wealth, and happiness. For the Virgin Espresso, we suggest garnishing with just a single Coffee Bean to create a distinction. 

But hey, it’s your drink – you might also like to add Chocolate Shavings and/or Whipped Cream!

OTHER MOCKTAILS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Go to Virgin Cosmopolitan
Two Virgin Cosmopolitan mocktails next to a Hawthorne Strainer.

Virgin Cosmopolitan

Cranberry Juice (sweetened), Lime Juice, Orange Juice, Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters, Orange Zest

Go to Gentle Sea Breeze
gentle sea breeze

Gentle Sea Breeze

Cranberry Juice (sweetened), Grapefruit Juice, Lime

Go to Virgin Appletini
virgin appletini

Virgin Appletini

Apple Juice, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple

Cocktail recipes by ingredient

Go to Absolut Vodka
absolut vodka

Absolut Vodka

547 drinks

Go to Tomato Juice
tomato juice

Tomato Juice

23 drinks

Go to Blackberry
blackberry

Blackberry

27 drinks

Go to Triple Sec
triple sec

Triple Sec

305 drinks

Go to Blueberry
blueberry

Blueberry

18 drinks

Go to Pineapple
pineapple

Pineapple

89 drinks

A tray with three Grapefruit Espresso Martinis

Get weekly drink recipes

Sign Up Now

Go to Get weekly drink recipes

Top ten drinks for any occasion

Go to Espresso Martini
3 Espresso Martini cocktails with Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa coffee liqueur, and espresso.

Espresso Martini

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Espresso, Coffee Bean, Ice Cubes

Go to Lemon Drop Shot
lemon drop

Lemon Drop Shot

Absolut Citron, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Lemon, Sugar, Superfine, Ice Cubes

Go to Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan cocktails made with Absolut Citron Lemon-Flavored Vodka, each garnished with Orange Zest.

Cosmopolitan

Absolut Citron, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice (sweetened), Orange Zest, Ice Cubes

Go to Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary cocktails with lemon wedges, ice cubes, a metal jigger, and Absolut Vodka, garnished with lemon and celery.

Bloody Mary

Absolut Vodka, Tomato Juice, Lemon Juice, Hot Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Salt, Lemon, Celery

Go to Mojito
mojito

Mojito

Light Rum, Lime Juice, Mint Leaf, Sugar, Superfine, Soda Water, Ice Cubes

Go to White Russian
White Russian Cocktails in Rock Glasses filled with ice next to a bottle of Absolut Vodka.

White Russian

Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, Cream, Ice Cubes

Go to Appletini
Two classic Appletini cocktails on a serving tray with a bottle of Absolut Vodka, the Appletini is made with Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice and is garnished with a fresh slice of Green Apple.

Appletini

Absolut Vodka, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Apple Liqueur, Apple Juice, Ice Cubes

Go to Long Island Iced Tea
Long Island Iced Teas each in a tall glass with lots of ice, sitting on a metal tray next to a bottle of Absolut Vodka.

Long Island Iced Tea

Absolut Vodka, Light Rum, Gin, Tequila Blanco, Lemon Juice, Triple Sec, Cola, Lemon, Ice Cubes

Go to Amaretto Sour
amaretto sour

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Maraschino, Orange, Ice Cubes

Go to Moscow Mule
moscow mule

Moscow Mule

Absolut Vodka, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, Lime, Ice Cubes

hero banner image for Virgin Espresso