Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic cocktail made with coffee, Kahlua, and vodka! It’s ideal as a pick-me-up or after dinner drink.

Oh hello, Espresso Martini. Why is everyone talking about this drink? The 1980’s cocktail vaulted back into popularity in 2021, and it’s easy to see why. Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated drink that’s cool, frothy, and bittersweet. Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re home cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes under our belt: and this one’s a favorite.

Espresso Martini ingredients & history

The Espresso Martini is a vodka martini mixed with coffee, invented in 1983. Bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie in London created the drink for a patron who asked for a drink to wake her up. (Here’s the full story.) Apparently the coffee machine was right next to the drink station, and the Espresso Martini was born. The name came in the 1990’s when flavored martinis were all the rage.

There are lots of variations on exactly how to make this coffee martini. The original version had two types of coffee liqueur and simple syrup. Today it varies based on on the bartender. This cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. The ingredients in an Espresso Martini are:

• Vodka
• Kahlua or coffee liqueur
• Espresso or strong coffee

Note: While many Espresso Martini recipes have simple syrup, we’ve found that extra sweetener isn’t necessary. This cocktail is sweet sweet enough with the Kahlua alone.

How to make an Espresso Martini

The only part about an Espresso Martini that takes some time is making the coffee. Luckily, you don’t have to wait for it to cool. Wait a few minutes until it’s warm, then shake it up. Here’s how to make a coffee martini:

• Make 1 shot (1 oz) espresso using an espresso maker (or French Press). Alternatively, you can make a very strong cup of coffee and use 2 tablespoons.
• Place 2 oz vodka and ¾ oz Kahula with the still warm coffee in a cocktail shaker.
• Add 1 handful ice and shake until cold.
• Strain into a martini glass. Top with coffee beans, the traditional garnish.

Does an Espresso Martini have caffeine?

Yes! This coffee martini has caffeine from the coffee and the Kahlua. The espresso contributes 64 mg caffeine and the Kahlua 2.5 mg, for a total of about 66 mg in this drink. This is about 70% the amount of caffeine in 1 cup of coffee (95 mg).

More about Kahlua

Kahlua is a pretty widely known liqueur…but what actually is it made of? Here’s what to know about this coffee liqueur:

• Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that’s made in Mexico. It’s made with rum, sugar and coffee. It does have some caffeine, but only about 25% as much as the same volume of coffee. The standard Kahlua is dairy-free, vegan and plant-based: it contains only rum, sugar and coffee.
• How much does Kahlua cost? It costs about $20 per bottle.
• What are some substitutes for Kahlua? You can also use other types of coffee liqueur, like Tia Maria or Sheridan’s.
• What other cocktails use Kahlua? Use it to make Kahlua drinks like the White Russian, Black Russian or Mudslide.

More coffee cocktails

Are you into spiked coffee? Boozy coffee drinks combine the beautiful bittersweet flavor of coffee into fantastic mixed drinks. Here are some of our favorite coffee cocktails:

• Mix up a White Russian or Black Russian, classic cocktails made with vodka and Kahlua
• Try a classic Classic Irish Coffee
• Go for Amaretto Coffee, Kahlua Coffee, Spanish Coffee or a Carajillo (Mexican Spiked Coffee)
• Try the Espresso Margarita instead

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Espresso Margarita

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Kahlua Coffee

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Classic Irish Coffee

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White Russian

When to serve an Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini works before dinner, after dinner, or anytime in between. Serve it as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Afternoon cocktail
• Late night drinks drink
• Girls or guys night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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More vodka martini recipes

Flavored martinis are a modern invention: built on the vodka martini. Most of them drop the vermouth…so they’re hardly a Classic Martini at all! Here are some of our favorite flavored martini recipes:

• Pomegranate Martini This jewel-toned drink is sweet tart and light: the perfect fruity variation.
• Key Lime Martini Fruity and fun, with a graham cracker crust rim! And Licor 43.
• Watermelon Martini Tastes like summer! Easy to make and full of refreshing sweet flavor.
• Lemon Drop Martini or Limoncello Martini Zingy and full of citrus brightness.
• Cucumber Martini A crisp, cool take with the refreshing scent of this hydrating vegetable.
• Ginger Martini The spicy flavor of the fresh root shines in this ginger cocktail!
• Raspberry Martini Bright red and full of berry flavor!
• Chocolate Martini Rich, creamy and oh so decadent.
• French Martini This classy cocktail is perfectly balanced with vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur.