Espresso Martini Recipe

Chill glass

Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes (or fill with ice water while you assemble the cocktail) to ensure the cocktail stays cold and thick.

Prepare shaker

Fill a cocktail shaker about two-thirds full with fresh ice (approximately 1 cup). Using large ice helps with proper chilling and a bit less dilution.

Combine ingredients

Add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz espresso-style cold brew (concentrated), and 0.5 oz simple syrup into the shaker over the ice. If you want a richer, creamier top, add 0.5 oz heavy cream here (optional). If your cold brew is very intense or you prefer slightly lighter strength, add up to 1 oz cold-filtered water instead of cream.

Dry shake (optional for foam)

If you want a particularly frothy crema on top, first close the shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 10–12 seconds to emulsify the liquid and cream/syrup, then add ice and continue to shake. This step is optional but improves foam.

Shake vigorously

With ice in the shaker, seal and shake as hard and fast as you can for 15–20 seconds. Aim for a frothy, velvety texture and a good chill. The vigorous shake aerates the coffee and creates the characteristic crema.

Double strain & serve

Remove the chilled glass from the freezer. Using a Hawthorne or built-in shaker strainer and a fine mesh (or a julep) strainer, pour the cocktail into the chilled coupe/martini glass to remove small ice chips for a smooth surface and clean presentation.

Garnish

Garnish with three whole coffee beans placed on the foam in a line or triangle. Serve immediately.

If you prefer less sweetness, reduce simple syrup to 0.25 oz. For a stronger coffee flavor, increase espresso cold brew to 1.25 oz and reduce vodka by 0.25–0.5 oz to maintain balance.

To make espresso-style cold brew concentrate at home: coarse-steep ground dark-roast coffee with a 1:4–1:6 coffee-to-water ratio in cold water for 12–18 hours, then filter. Use the concentrate sparingly (this recipe assumes a concentrated brew).