Espresso Martini Recipe - Kahlúa (2024)

HERE’S THE ONLY ESPRESSO MARTINI RECIPE YOU’LL EVER NEED. IT’S TASTY, EDGY, AND SOPHISTICATED—THREE AWESOME REASONS WHY IT’S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR COFFEE co*ckTAILS IN THE WORLD.

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INGREDIENTS

Ice cubes

1 part Kahlúa

1 part Absolut Vodka

1 part Espresso

3 Whole Coffee Bean

Ice cubes

ml Kahlúa

30 ml Absolut Vodka

30 ml Espresso

3 Whole Coffee Bean

Ice cubes

oz Kahlúa

1 oz Absolut Vodka

1 oz Espresso

3 Whole Coffee Bean

HOW TO MAKE
  1. Fill a shaker with ice and add Kahlúa, Absolut, and espresso.
  2. Shake until cold, about 15–20 seconds.
  3. Strain into a martini or co*cktail glass.
  4. Garnish with 3 coffee beans for good luck.
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ABOUT THE ESPRESSO MARTINI

The Espresso Martini was born from the Vodka Espresso, which was originally created by London bartender legend Dick Bradsell in 1983 (for a very famous model whose name remains a mystery). Over the years he refined and simplified the recipe into what we know now as the Espresso Martini.

Brunch tip: The perfect brunch needs a delicious coffee co*cktail. Why not try an Espresso Martini with pancakes or smashed avocado on toast,?

Estimated ABV = 19% (Kahlúa Original 16%) Estimated ABV = 20% (Kahlúa Original 20%) The exact value depends on how you mix, which measures you use and even your glass!

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT ESPRESSO MARTINI
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1. Add the Kahlúa Original, Absolut Vodka, and Espresso into a shaker.

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2. Add the ice.

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3. Shake for 15 – 20 seconds to create that velvety foam.

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4. Strain into a martini or co*cktail glass.

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5. Drop in 3 coffee beans for garnish.

ESPRESSO MARTINI FAQ

How do I get the perfect foam on my Espresso Martini?

For a perfectly frothy Espresso Martini, just shake the ingredients with lots of ice for 15-20 seconds. The more you shake, the more microfoam builds up, giving you that velvety froth when you pour it into your glass.

What does Kahlúa add to the espresso martini?

Kahlúa adds sweetness to your Espresso Martini, balancing out the other ingredients. It also helps create that velvety mouthfeel.

What’s a non-alcoholic alternative to Kahlúa in an espresso martini?

Kahlúa adds the sweetness and heavy mouthfeel, so we recommend substituting with one part chocolate or vanilla syrup.

How do I make my espresso martini creamier?

The froth that develops when you shake the co*cktail gives you that creamy, velvety mouthfeel. Make sure you’re shaking up a good froth for 15-20 seconds.

What if I don’t have an espresso maker?

That’s okay! I You can use espresso made with a coffee pod machine. You can even use instant espresso.

Regular coffee works, too. If you’re using regular coffee instead of espresso, you’ll need to use less water when you brew. And, if you’re using filtered coffee, just know that the froth won’t be as thick and creamy.

What’s the best coffee roast for espresso?

Espresso (freshly) roasted coffee! Using good quality medium roasted beans, which you can grind up yourself at home, also works well.

Why should I shake my espresso martini?

Shaking helps build up the microfoam by creating those tiny air bubbles, which give your Espresso Martini a creamier mouthfeel. The foam is just as important as getting the flavors right in this co*cktail.

I don’t have a co*cktail shaker. What can I use?

You don’t need one! Use anything with a well-fitting lid, like a protein shaker or mason jar Just make sure the lid is screwed on tight.

What does an espresso martini taste like?

A well-mixed Espresso Martini is sweet, with a velvety mouthfeel. It has a pleasant coffee aftertaste with subtle notes of toffee. Mixing it properly ensures a good balance between the sweet and bitter ingredients.

Why do I need to strain my Espresso Martini?

Straining removes any shards of ice that develop when you shake the co*cktail. Straining also helps your co*cktail look clearer. You don’t need a special strainer; a tea strainer works.

What do the three coffee beans mean?

Many people like to finish off their Espresso Martini by adding three coffee beans. They stand for health, wealth, and happiness.

What food can I pair with an Espresso Martini?

Espresso Martinis are perfect for brunch. Why not try one with pancakes, avocado toast, or bagels?

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FAQs

Does Kahlua go in an espresso martini? ›

Kahlúa adds sweetness to your Espresso Martini, balancing out the other ingredients. It also helps create that velvety mouthfeel.

What if you don't have Kahlua for an espresso martini? ›

Dark Rum: This helps replace the Kahlua in conventional espresso martinis. Sugar Free Simple Syrup: You have lots of syrup options, including Miss Mary's Sinless Syrups and ChocZero Vanilla Syrup. Both work well here.

Are espresso martinis better with Kahlua or Baileys? ›

Kahlua is a coffee liqueur with a strong coffee flavor and a hint of caramel. It is a good choice for espresso martinis that you want to have a strong coffee flavor. Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur with a creamy texture and a flavor of chocolate, vanilla, and cream.

Does Kahlua go bad? ›

For Kahlúa Original, we recommend a shelf life of 4 years. Actually, the product will be good for many more years, but the coffee impact fades over time so it won't give you the full flavor impact. Also, if you were to receive an old bottle of Kahlúa, you have to make sure it has never been opened or tampered with.

What liquor is best for an espresso martini? ›

Vodka: I add 1 ½ oz. of vodka for the perfect ratio of booze to coffee. Vodka is the signature alcohol for a classic espresso martini—use another, and it just won't be the same. While you don't have to reach for top shelf, I suggest using a brand you enjoy drinking.

How to make espresso at home? ›

Here's what you do: Boil one cup of water. While you wait for the water to heat up, add two tablespoons of freshly, finely ground coffee to your French press. Add a bit of the boiling water to the French press and stir briefly. Wait four minutes, then slowly push down the plunger, pausing every few seconds.

What kind of person drinks Espresso Martini? ›

Espresso Martini

Coffee, alcohol and sugar - the ultimate combination made for those who live to “work hard, play harder”. If that's you, you're a type A personality who is enviably outgoing, extremely ambitious and rigidly organised. You give 100% to everything you do, both professionally and socially.

What is a dirty Espresso Martini? ›

A Dirty Chai Espresso Martini combines the aromatic spices of chai tea with the boldness of espresso and the smoothness of your favorite vodka or rum.

Why do bartenders not like making espresso martinis? ›

If you love experimenting with your espresso machine as a hobbyist, that fiddly science can become a hobby. But if you're a mixologist at work, it's a nightmare. In fact, bartenders notably dislike making these co*cktails because of the prep time, complications, and cleanup of the espresso step alone.

Does Kahlua always have rum in it? ›

Born in Mexico, in 1936, Kahlúa comes steeped in history, with a rich and colorful heritage. Made with 100% Arabica coffee beans and rum, Kahlúa coffee liqueur is one of the main ingredients in many of the world's favorite co*cktails.

Do you shake Kahlua Espresso Martini? ›

Easy – just shake the ingredients with lots of ice for at least 20 seconds. The more you shake, the more microfoam builds up, giving you that velvety froth when you pour it into your glass.

Which is stronger, Baileys or Kahlua? ›

The Kahlua alcohol percentage is around 20%—slightly higher than Baileys alcohol content which is typically 17%. Kahlua and Baileys are versatile liqueurs that make delicious co*cktails when combined with other ingredients.

Why do you put Kahlua in Espresso Martini? ›

Kahlúa adds sweetness to your Espresso Martini, balancing out the other ingredients. And it helps create that velvety mouth-feel. What's a non-alcoholic alternative to Kahlúa in an espresso martini? As Kahlúa adds the sweetness and heavy mouth-feel, you'll need an alternative for that sensory experience.

What is a substitute for Baileys in an espresso martini? ›

The process for making the Bailey's version is the same as the traditional version of the drink -- you can use Tasting Table's recipe for an espresso martini as the starting point, simply swapping out the Kahlua for Bailey's.

What goes best with espresso martini? ›

Chocolate: Espresso and chocolate are a match made in heaven, and a piece of dark chocolate can be the perfect complement to an espresso martini. Whether you opt for a chocolate truffle or a chocolate-dipped biscotti, this pairing is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

What's the difference between Black Russian and espresso martini? ›

A Black Russian co*cktail is traditionally made with two main ingredients namely; vodka and coffee liqueur. The Espresso Martini, however, takes the coffee infused flavour and strength one notch further by adding a shot of freshly brewed espresso.

Are Kahlua and Tia Maria the same? ›

Similarly to Kahlua, Tia Maria is a coffee liqueur made from rum, but it is made in Jamaica and has subtle notes of vanilla which makes it perfect when added into a White Russian.

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