Espresso Martini Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes or fill with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure the drink stays cold and forms a nice crema.

Brew espresso

Brew 1 oz of fresh espresso. Use a short pull so the espresso is concentrated. Allow it to cool slightly (about 20–30 seconds) — it should still be hot but not scalding, which helps emulsify when shaken with ice.

Measure ingredients

Using a jigger, measure 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz freshly brewed espresso, and 0.25 oz simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.

Add ice

Add approximately 4 oz (a generous handful) of fresh, cold ice to the shaker. The amount should be enough to chill rapidly without over-diluting.

Dry shake (optional for thicker crema)

If you want a richer, frothier crema, first close the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 8–10 seconds to emulsify the espresso and syrup with the vodka and liqueur.

Wet shake

Add the ice (if you performed a dry shake before, otherwise the ice is already in the shaker) and shake very hard for 12–18 seconds. Aim for an energetic, brisk shake so the exterior of the shaker becomes very cold and small ice shards form — this produces proper dilution and a silky texture.

Double strain and serve

Remove the glass from the freezer or discard the ice water. Open the shaker and strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and then a fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass. Double straining captures ice shards and crema imperfections, resulting in a smooth surface.

Garnish

Float three coffee beans on top of the crema in a triangle formation for a classic garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes on adjustments

For a sweeter drink, increase simple syrup to 0.5 oz. For a stronger coffee flavor, use a darker espresso or increase espresso to 1.25 oz and reduce vodka slightly to keep balance. Use chilled espresso for less dilution if desired.

Ensure the cocktail shaker is clean and dry. If using the dry shake technique, assemble the shaker and lid tightly to prevent leaks.

Use a jigger to measure ingredients accurately for consistent results.

If you do not have a fine mesh strainer, pour slowly through the shaker's built-in strainer and allow larger shards to settle before serving; the texture and appearance will differ slightly.