Espresso Martini cocktail in a coupe — Espresso

Espresso Martini Cocktail Recipe

boozy caffeinated dessert

vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, simple syrup

History

The Espresso Martini was created in the early 1980s by London bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie. A young woman (often described as a model) asked for a drink that would “wake me up and then fuck me up.” Bradsell combined vodka, fresh espresso, and coffee liqueur, shaking it hard for the signature foam. Originally called the Vodka Espresso, it later took the name Espresso Martini and became a modern classic. After a quieter period, it exploded into global popularity in the 2010s and 2020s—still the definitive caffeinated cocktail. A Vodka Espresso and an Espresso Martini are the same shaken drink: vodka, coffee liqueur, and a fresh shot. A coffee Americano is espresso and hot water, not this cocktail. If vodka and coffee liqueur are already in the pantry, brew the shot and shake this before you buy another dessert bottle.

Ingredients

vodka 1.5 oz

Buy
coffee liqueur 1 oz

Buy
espresso 1 oz (freshly brewed)

Buy
simple syrup 0.25 oz (optional)

Buy

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Details on Privacy.

Missing a bottle? Stock your pantry to see what else you can mix.

How to make

Chill a coupe in the freezer — an Espresso Martini is shaken and served up.
Brew 1 oz fresh espresso and let it sit for a minute so the shot does not melt the ice on contact.
Add 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, the espresso, and 0.25 oz simple syrup if you want it sweeter, to a shaker packed with ice.
Shake hard until the tin frosts; that hard shake is what throws the crema foam.
Double-strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with three coffee beans.

Glassware

Coupe

A wide bowl shows aroma and holds stirred or shaken drinks without stemware tipping over as easily as a V-shaped martini glass.

Buy on Amazon

Espresso Martini FAQ

Is an Espresso Martini the same as a Vodka Espresso?

Yes. Dick Bradsell first served this as a Vodka Espresso: 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, and 1 oz fresh espresso, shaken hard for the foam. A coffee Americano is espresso plus hot water — not this drink. Coffee liqueur without a fresh shot is closer to a Black Russian.

What ingredients are in an Espresso Martini?

An Espresso Martini is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make an Espresso Martini?

Chill a coupe in the freezer — an Espresso Martini is shaken and served up. Brew 1 oz fresh espresso and let it sit for a minute so the shot does not melt the ice on contact. Add 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, the espresso, and 0.25 oz simple syrup if you want it sweeter, to a shaker packed with ice. Shake hard until the tin frosts; that hard shake is what throws the crema foam. Double-strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with three coffee beans.

What glass do you serve an Espresso Martini in?

Serve an Espresso Martini in a Coupe. A wide bowl shows aroma and holds stirred or shaken drinks without stemware tipping over as easily as a V-shaped martini glass.