Annika Eats

Espresso Martini

This coffee flavored cocktail is a definite wake me up or pick me up, it’s up to you. But it is rich and intense with every sip balanced with the coffee crema on the top making for an indulgent drink.

An Espresso Martini is a coffee based cocktail that has espresso coffee in it, coffee liqueur and vodka. Sometimes it might contain a sweetener like simply syrup or liquid sweeteners. It isn’t a classic martini since it doesn’t consist of gin or vermouth but the term is officially used here. In saying this, the drink certainly packs a punch and has been compared to Vodka Redbull as the caffeine content here is high.

A classic vodka martini must have a coffee crema on the top with the dark and intense liquid at the bottom. The foam is achieved by shaking the cocktail vigorously. You know the drink is shaken well if the shaker has become cold and your hands hurt from the shaking. I would recommend using a shaker here but if you do not have one, use a wide mouthed bottle and shake the cocktail in it. This really cannot be skipped. It is this step that gives the drinks its quintessential look.

Since the cocktail is called an Espresso Martini we ideally need to serve the drink in some what of a martini glass. If you know anything about me by now, I don’t fuss about the glassware too much, just nail the cocktail and the glass doesn’t matter all that much. However it is a beautiful drink to present so a little effort goes a long way.

The cocktail is meant to be garnished with whole coffee beans to form this little flower/petal effect on top. Sometimes it is also served with a dusting of coffee powder to create an attractive design. I have used a single espresso here using my Mocka pot but you can use instant coffee if you don’t have access to espresso. But you could just as well walk to the cafe downstairs and buy espressos. What you must keep in mind is that it has be to cold. Let the coffee/espresso cool down completely before shaking. 

The recipe calls for coffee liqueur, I’ve used Khalua but you can use Tia Maria as well. I have used regular vodka here but you can use a vanilla flavored vodka or add a drop of vanilla into the shaker to add flavor. I’ve added a little maple syrup here, keeping true to the theme of autumn but you could certainly use simple syrup or any sweetener of your choice. Lastly, the drink has to be shaken with ice to help create the crema and to make the cocktail cold. 

Food Pairing: 

Ideally the cocktail pairs well with a good sweet and tart cheeseboard. But it definitely is great for dessert pairings with chocolate biscuits, cookies, a mocha mousse or a chocolate pudding as well. A simple scoop of vanilla ice cream would also be a fantastically easy option to pair with. However there are savory pairing options too, mushrooms on toast is a great option or meat hand pies would also work well with the cocktail. Goats cheese and balsamic salad with sweet potatoes or cold cuts with crackers and dips. 

Well, we’ve chatted a lot about this trendy cocktail, let us go make it. Happy Shaking Ninjas!

Espresso Martini

This coffee flavor cocktail is a definite wake up over brunch. It is rich and intense with every sip balanced with the coffee crema on the top making for an indulgent drink.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Bar, Breakfast, Brunch, Cocktail, Cocktails, Drinks, Party
Servings 2 People

Equipment

  • Shaker
  • Strainer
  • Glass

Ingredients
  

  • 60 ml Vodka
  • 20 ml Khalua Liqueur
  • 20 ml Espresso room temperature
  • 1 drop Maple syrup
  • 1 drop Vanilla optional
  • 8 Ice cubes

Garnish

  • 6 Whole coffee beans

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients except for the coffee beans into a cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds at the least.
  • You shaker must get cold and you hands should hurt, that’s when you know its done.
  • Open, and strain the cocktail out into 2 glasses.
  • Garnish with 3 coffee beans per glass.
  • Let the crema settle to the top for a couple of seconds and serve immediately.

Notes

If your martini is runny and has no crema, put the contents back into the shaker, add fresh ice and shake vigorously. The crema on top comes from the shaking so don’t be shy.

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