How To Make The Best Espresso Martini

The espresso martini is a favorite of many on a night out. A joke among bartenders is that the minute an espresso martini leaves the bar, orders for more start pouring in from everyone who saw the beautiful cocktail and also want one.

What’s not to love? The flavor profile is both complex and delicious and it’s an aesthetically beautiful cocktail.

Here’s what makes it so appealing:

The Perfect Flavor Profile: Rich, Sweet, and Smooth

It expertly balances complex flavors that appeal to a wide audience:

• Espresso: The rich, robust, and familiar flavor of espresso is a universal favorite.
• Sweetness: The coffee liqueur used in it (typically Kahlúa) balances out the boldness of the espresso.
• Smooth Texture: It’s a dense drink that can make it an enjoyable slow sipper. It has a creamy texture to it, but it’s worth noting that there typically is no actual cream in it. The crema is from the aeration of the espresso and sugar when it’s shaken.

How To Make The Best Espresso Martini

We have a few recommendations to make the best espresso martini.

Pro Tips:

• Use espresso, not coffee, because coffee starts to fall apart immediately when the cocktail is poured.
• Use high quality, strong espresso like Segafredo Extra Strong Espresso (and not coffee) to achieve the best flavor and crema.
• Use premium vodka for smooth flavor. We recommend Weber Ranch, as it’s made with 100% Blue Agave with a superior flavor profile.
• Shaking is a MUST. Aerating the cocktail by shaking with ice is crucial for the light, fluffy crema to form on top.
• Shake the cocktail until the tin feels frosty, and then just a touch more.
• Make sure to strain with a Hawthorne strainer or similar, as well as a fine strainer. Double straining ensures you don’t have, as bartenders call it, “ducks on the pond”. They’re referring to chunks of broken ice from shaking the cocktail, which can add unpleasant texture to an otherwise luxurious mouthfeel.

Mix It Up:

• Substitute tequila, mezcal, or whiskey for vodka to add some depth to the cocktail flavor profile.
• A dusting of nutmeg or cinnamon adds a little spice.

We have a specific ratio of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur that we think makes the espresso shine, while creating a delightful experience.