Feb 10, 2023
espresso martini
10 minutes
1 serving
EASY
I love espresso martinis. They’re the perfect cocktail for coffee lovers. At first I wasn’t a fan, but once I learned it’s made with real espresso and alcohol, I thought, “I love both of those things.” My first one was at Carbone last year and it completely changed my mind.
The best espresso martini for me is made with fresh espresso, a touch of Kahlúa for sweetness, and a fluffy layer of foam, served in a coupe glass. I usually prefer vodka as the base, but tequila can be a great alternative if you want a different twist.
Don’t forget the three coffee beans on top. This garnish comes from the Italian tradition of serving Sambuca with three beans, known as la mosca or “the fly.” They represent health, wealth, and happiness.
I’ve had plenty of mediocre espresso martinis, but over time I’ve found a simple and consistent way to make one that always works for me. A quick shake without ice first, then another shake with ice, helps activate the egg white and makes the foam smoother when pouring. Some people say fresh espresso alone is enough for foam, but I like the texture you get from adding egg white.
Ingredients
2 oz vodka, (i prefer bar hill) or tequila
1 oz kahlua
1 oz fresh espresso (or cold brew)
1/2 oz simple syrup
3/4 oz egg white
coffee beans, for garnish
Instructions
in a cocktail shaker, add in your vodka, kahlua, espresso, simply syrup and egg white.
start off with a dry shake (which means without ice). shake for 1-2 minutes.
after a dry shake, add in a few pieces of ice and shake again for another 1-2 minutes.
pour your drink into a coupe glass and wait for the foam to form on top.
garnish with 3 coffee beans (optional)
cheers!
