Recipes & Cooking Drinks Cocktails Espresso Martini 5.0 (1) 1 Review Learn how to make the classic cocktail at home. Our espresso martini recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients. By Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for more than 10 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 28, 2024 Recipe tested by Sarah Brekke, MS Recipe tested by Sarah Brekke, MS Sarah Brekke, a culinary expert with The Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchen, is passionate about food and cooking. Her unique background as both a food scientist and a culinary contributor allows her to blend her passions for both educating readers and creating tasty content. Learn more about the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Rachel Marek Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 1 drink Yield: 2 1/2 ounces Invented by British bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980's, a classic espresso martini recipe made with coffee liqueur and vodka. Traditionally, an espresso martini is served chilled without ice in a martini glass. The result is the perfect blend of subtle sweetness, coffee flavor, and caffeine. Our Test Kitchen recommends using chilled espresso or cold brew coffee concentrate. Using cold coffee or cold brew to start will help prevent too much ice from melting and diluting the drink during shaking. Look for coffee liqueur, like Kahlua, in the spirit aisle of your local grocery store. In a pinch, you can leave this out but your espresso martini won't have the same depth of flavor. Rather than adding granulated or brown sugar to the shaker, you'll want to use a simple syrup. This ensures the sugar is evenly distributed throughout the cocktail and you're not left with sugar granules in the bottom of your glass. You can buy premade simple syrup or make your own using our recipe below. Garnish the finished espresso martini with whole coffee beans or for a little richness, try using chocolate-covered coffee beans. You can also add a drizzle of chocolate sauce, caramel, or cream. Try adding a fun garnish like whipped cream, chocolate shavings, cinnamon, or a sugared rim. Once you've mastered the espresso martini recipe, try making another classic cocktail. If you like coffee flavor, try this Mexican coffee cocktail. If you like martinis, try making a batch of Gibsons, made with vermouth and gin. Or opt for a smooth vodka martini. Ingredients 1 oz ice 1 1/2 fluid ounces vodka 1 fluid ounce espresso or cold brew concentrate 1/2 fluid ounce coffee liqueur 1/2 fluid ounce simple syrup 3 coffee beans, optional for garnish Directions In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, combine the vodka, espresso or cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup; cover and shake until very cold. Test Kitchen Tip: Here's how you know if you've shaken your espresso martini long enough. Generally, the rule of thumb is to shake the cocktail for at least 10 seconds. The outside of the shaker should be frosty and cold. Strain the espresso martini mixture into a martini glass. Garnish the drink with coffee beans, if desired. Test Kitchen Tip: You can make homemade simple syrup for this espresso martini recipe. In a screw-top jar, combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water. Screw on lid and shake until the sugar dissolves. Store the finished simple syrup for up to one month in the fridge. Rate It Print