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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini is a coffee-led cocktail with a smooth, energising profile and a polished after-dinner feel. Served chilled, it works best when the drink should feel rich, modern and lively.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic37.8% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

149 kcalCalories
37.8%ABV
3.6gSugar
4.6gCarbs
1.3Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easyshaken drink

Why: 3 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

  • 5 clVodkaBase Spirit
  • 1 clKahluaLiqueur Modifier
  • 1 dashSugar syrupSweetener
Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

  1. Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into chilled Martini glassShaken

Why it works

Why the Espresso Martini works

The drink works because coffee bitterness balances sweetness and alcohol warmth. Shaking helps create the foamy top, which makes the first sip feel softer and more aromatic.

How to Serve

Glass
Cocktail Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Shaken
Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serving tips

Use fresh, strong coffee or espresso and chill the drink hard. If the coffee is weak or watery, the cocktail can taste flat even when the other ingredients are correct.

Taste

What does an Espresso Martini taste like?

An Espresso Martini is rich, coffee-forward and lightly sweet, with a smooth texture when shaken well. It usually feels more like a bold after-dinner drink than a light aperitif.

Primary flavours

SweetCoffee

Supporting notes

RoastedVanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • High ABV
  • Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

About this drink

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic, commonly credited to London bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s. It was originally known as a vodka espresso style drink, which explains why it is not a true Martini despite the name.

When to serve

  • DessertSuggested from its coffee and vanilla notes, pairing with desserts pairing.
  • After DinnerSuggested from its coffee notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

DessertsChocolateCoffee Desserts

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVegetarian

May be limited

Vegan

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar
Find vegan-compatible cocktails

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Vodka5 cl

GinWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same volume; expect more juniper and herbal aroma.
What changes
Gin can replace vodka when a more botanical result is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Kahlua1 cl

Coffee LiqueurWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount and adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes
Coffee liqueur can usually replace Kahlua, though sweetness and coffee intensity may vary.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar Syrup1 dash

SugarWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Dissolve well before serving or muddle/shake hard; start with about 1 teaspoon sugar per 1/4 oz syrup.
What changes
Sugar can replace simple syrup if it fully dissolves, but it adds less water.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Agave SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use slightly less at first, then adjust to taste.
What changes
Agave syrup can replace simple syrup, especially in tequila or mezcal drinks, but it adds an earthy agave note.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Demerara SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same amount, but avoid in very delicate drinks unless you want the darker flavor.
What changes
Demerara syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, darker sugar note is welcome.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Honey SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use slightly less at first; honey syrup can dominate delicate drinks.
What changes
Honey syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, floral sweetness is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Maple SyrupNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Use less at first and avoid in delicate citrus or clear drinks unless you want maple flavor.
What changes
Maple syrup can replace simple syrup in darker or whiskey-style drinks, but it is not a neutral swap.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed alternative recipes

No suitable direct swap is reviewed for Kahlua or Sugar Syrup. Try this related recipe instead:

White RussianDifferent recipe

Both suit coffee or dessert-leaning drinkers, with White Russian moving creamier and sweeter.

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make an Espresso Martini at home?
Yes. The Espresso Martini uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.