The shaker's rattling, the espresso's flowing, the '90s are cool again, and like all good things, the espresso martini is back. Still, at-home baristas and bartenders aren't simply running on nostalgia—they're celebrating it by innovating on yesterday's cocktail to give it another moment to shine.
A Handy Dandy Guide to Espresso Martinis
Let's start with a primer. Similar to its influence, the espresso martini is made up of a few primary ingredients. In this case, it's vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and a shot of excellent espresso or cold brew concentrate (more on that later), with some opportunities to get creative with flavor (also more on that later).
Whether you order one at a bar, one at a cafe, or shake one up at home, the espresso martini starts with the real hero of the glass: espresso, preferably a high-pressure brew that delivers a rich, concentrated shot with enough depth to hold its own against spirits and sugar.
The Return of a Classic
A couple of reasons why the espresso martini is popular now are partly thanks to our Gen Z friends and the rise of craft coffee. Some say that attraction comes from aesthetics and social media, while others believe its success is within the bean (we agree) and the chance to break from tradition.
Nevertheless, the cool thing about the espresso martini is that it continues to push the limits of how we enjoy coffee cocktails by balancing craft, caffeine, and culture while staying fresh. And like many charming things, it even has its own holiday on March 15th.
How to Make an Excellent Espresso Martini at Home
- Start with fresh espresso (or cold brew concentrate): Remember, a rich, balanced shot is key. We recommend something bold for a layer of chocolatey depth that won’t get lost in the mix.
- Shake, but don’t stir: Add your ingredients to a shaker with ice and give it a solid shake. Like, shake it hard enough to chill the drink and create that signature crema-like foam on top.
- Use good ingredients: Go for a clean vodka, a well-made coffee liqueur (Kahlúa is classic, but alternatives abound), simple syrup for sweetness, and, as always, good espresso.
- Stick to the golden ratio: A common go-to is 2 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz espresso, and ½ oz simple syrup, but feel free to tweak your drink based on taste.
- Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass: Doing this keeps the texture smooth and lets your cocktail shine, foam cap and all.
- Garnish with three coffee beans: Classic, clean, and a subtle nod to espresso’s origins, this is where tradition meets texture.
P.S. If you’re new to pulling shots of espresso, don’t hesitate to review our espresso brew guide for additional guidance.
Shake it up by Trying These Espresso Variations
We'll let you in on a little secret about the espresso martini—it's versatile. Meaning, it doesn't necessarily need to follow the four primary ingredients we mentioned earlier, so it gives you a chance to let your creativity fly with the following riffs on the espresso martini.
Crack the Code With Cold Brew Concentrate
Our resident drink wizard, Jeffery Morgenthaler, invented the cold brew espresso martini by swapping the espresso for cold brew concentrate. The result? A delightful, smooth experience made up of these espresso martini ingredients:
- 1 oz cold brew concentrate
- ¾ oz/22.5 ml vodka
- ¾ oz/22.5 ml Kahlúa
Go Bananas
The Banana Espresso Martini punches up the creamy sweetness without losing that signature kick. Think banana bread meets late-night cocktail. Here's how to give your next round a tropical twist:
- 1 oz fresh espresso
- 1 oz dark rum
- ½ oz banana liqueur
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
Get Tiki With It
This riff brings tropical notes into the mix, mellowing the intensity of the espresso with island vibes and just enough zest to keep things unexpected. It’s bold, sweet, and a little bit wild in the best way. Here’s what you need to impress your friends:
- 1 oz espresso
- 1 oz aged rum
- ½ oz coffee liqueur
- ¼ oz orgeat
- ¼ oz pineapple juice
Remember to Enjoy the Adventure by Experimenting With Different Beans
Whether you're pulling a fresh shot or reaching for cold brew concentrate, the beans or cold brew you choose matter. Big time. Fortunately, we like to make things easy by roasting coffee that pairs best with the martini. Here's a cheat sheet:
If you're feeling hyper creative and want to set it and forget it, we also offer these pretty cool coffee subscriptions that allow you to keep the party going. All you gotta do is buy your coffee beans online and get the bar ready. And remember, if you need espresso, simply drop by one of our cafes for shots to go.
