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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Garnish & Tools
Method
Cocktail
Prepare espresso
Brew a shot of espresso (about 1 oz) or make 1 oz of very strong coffee. Allow it to cool slightly (hot espresso will melt the ice too quickly and dilute the drink). Ideally use espresso brewed within the last 5 minutes so it's still aromatic but not piping hot.
Combine ingredients
In a cocktail shaker, add 1 cup of ice, 2 oz vodka, 1 oz cooled espresso, 1 oz coffee liqueur, and 0.25 oz simple syrup if you prefer a slightly sweeter cocktail.
Dry shake (optional for foam)
For a richer crema/foam on top, first close the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 8–10 seconds (dry shake). This helps emulsify the espresso and create a silky head.
Wet shake
Open the shaker, add ice (if you didn't already), then close and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes very cold. This chills the drink and creates a good frothy head.
Strain and serve
Double-strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass or coupe using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer (optional) to catch ice shards. Pour gently to preserve the foam on top.
Garnish & Serve
Garnish with three coffee beans placed in the center of the foam in a line or triangle. Serve immediately while still cold and frothy.
Optional: If you used simple syrup, taste and adjust in future batches (increase by 0.25 oz for more sweetness or omit entirely for a drier martini).