There is something undeniably timeless about an espresso martini. It manages to feel elevated, indulgent, and effortless all at once. The kind of drink that turns an ordinary evening at home into something special.
While the classic recipe calls for standard simple syrup, the secret to taking this cocktail from a standard bar pour to a rich, velvety treat is swapping basic sugar for homemade coffee syrup. It intensifies the roasted espresso notes and creates a luxurious, dessert-like depth that balances the vodka cleanly without turning cloying.
Whether you are shaking one up for weekend hosting or winding down after a busy week, here is how to craft the ultimate espresso martini right in your kitchen.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Pour
A great espresso martini comes down to temperature and texture. Here is what you need to know about each element before shaking:
- Absolut Vodka (2 oz): A clean, crisp winter wheat vodka like Absolut provides the ideal neutral canvas. It gives the drink its necessary backbone and smooth finish without overpowering the delicate espresso crema.
- Fresh Espresso (1 oz): Quality matters here. Brew a fresh shot and let it sit for just a couple of minutes so it cools slightly; pouring scalding-hot espresso directly over ice will melt it too fast and dilute your drink before you can build that signature creamy foam.
- Coffee Liqueur (¾ oz): Brings warmth, richness, and familiar cocktail sweetness.
- Homemade Coffee Syrup (½ oz): The game changer. Because it carries roasted coffee undertones right into the sweetener, it harmonizes the espresso and liqueur seamlessly. (Check out my page for the full homemade coffee syrup recipe!)
- Ice & Garnishes: Plenty of hard ice for the shake, plus 3 to 5 whole coffee beans to float across the top.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh espresso, slightly cooled
- ¾ oz coffee liqueur
- ½ oz homemade coffee syrup
- Ice
- 3–5 coffee beans, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep your glass: Pop your martini or coupe glass into the freezer for 10 minutes before shaking. A chilled glass holds the crema foam longer and keeps each sip crisp.
- Combine: Add the vodka, cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, and homemade coffee syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with plenty of ice.
- Shake with intention: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for a full 15 to 20 seconds. This is where the magic happens—hard agitation aerates the natural oils in the espresso, building that thick, velvety foam head.
- Strain: Double strain (using your shaker’s strainer plus a small fine-mesh sieve) into your chilled glass. Double straining catches tiny ice shards so the top stays completely smooth.
- Garnish & serve: Gently place 3 to 5 coffee beans right on top of the foam. Serve immediately.
Baker & Bartender Notes
- Adjusting sweetness: If you prefer a slightly sweeter or more dessert-forward sip, bump the coffee syrup up to ¾ oz.
- Espresso alternatives: If you do not have an espresso machine, a strong moka pot brew or concentrated cold brew concentrate works well, though fresh espresso yields the thickest crema foam.
21+ only. Please drink responsibly.
Stock Your Bar Cart: Easy Delivery or Local Pickup with Rounds
Want to make this tonight without making an extra trip to the liquor store? You can grab your bottle of Absolut Vodka and your favorite coffee liqueur directly through Rounds.
Rounds connects with local retailers so you can shop my curated bar picks and have everything brought right to your door or prepared for quick in-store pickup:
- Browse my bar picks: Head over to my Rounds Creator Page Here to add Absolut Vodka and coffee liqueur straight to your basket.
- Select your method: Choose between convenient home delivery or local curbside pickup depending on what is available in your area.
- Check out in minutes: Complete your order securely, and you will be ready to shake up this silky cocktail tonight.
(Must be 21+ to order. Please drink responsibly.)
Check out my Coffee Syrup recipe Here.
Check out my Biscoff Mini Bundt Cake recipe Here.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh espresso slightly cooled
- ¾ oz coffee liqueur
- ½ oz homemade coffee syrup recipe on my page
- Ice
- 3-5 coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and coffee syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well chilled and foamy.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans.
- Enjoy!
- Optional: For a sweeter cocktail, increase the coffee syrup to ¾ oz. 21+ Please Drink Responsibly
