Espresso Martini Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail to ensure the drink stays cold and maintains crema.

Prepare ingredients

Measure vodka, Kahlúa, cold brew, simple syrup, and optional espresso. Ensure the cold brew and espresso (if using) are well chilled. Add 6 ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.

Shake vigorously

Pour vodka (2 oz), Kahlúa (1 oz), cold brew (1 oz), simple syrup (0.5 oz), and optional chilled espresso (0.25 oz) into the shaker with ice. Secure the lid and shake very vigorously for 15–30 seconds. The vigorous shake chills and aerates the mix, creating a foamy crema on top.

Strain

Empty the ice or water from the chilled glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled coupe/martini glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to remove shards of ice and produce a smooth surface with crema.

Garnish

Carefully place three coffee beans on top of the crema as a classic garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Adjust the simple syrup amount to taste depending on how sweet and how strong your Kahlúa and cold brew are. For a more intense coffee flavor, increase cold brew to 1.5 oz and reduce vodka slightly to maintain balance.