The Best Espresso Martini Recipe You’ll Ever Need!

An espresso martini is the perfect New Year's cocktail drink (or cocktail for any time really). It's a great pick me up for when you need to stay up and it also has a lucky motif attached to it. But not all espresso coffee martinis are created equal! I think that this is the best espresso martini recipe and it is made with just 4 ingredients!

Want the recipe for the best espresso martini? Once upon a time I had the very best espresso martini. It was so good that I begged the bartender to tell me how he made it. And so here it is! The best espresso martini you will ever have!

This Espresso Martini is made with vodka, Mr Black, a shot of espresso coffee and Baileys. I've had many, many espresso martinis and honestly this is the best one I've had as it is the perfect balance of coffee, sweet and a touch of creamy!

Tips For Making an Espresso Martini

1 - Espresso Martinis are easy to make but I recommend starting with using a shot of espresso that you like. Your favourite coffee is going to make for a wonderful espresso martini. An espresso is a short shot of coffee, around 30ml/1oz.

2 - If someone is caffeine sensitive this can easily be made with decaffeinated coffee.

3 - I use vanilla vodka because I had some in the fridge after making Sugar Cookie Martinis but plain vodka also works.

4 - For the coffee flavour you will need a coffee liqueur like Kahlua or Mr Black. I find Kahlua is sweeter than Mr Black so if you prefer it sweeter go for Kahlua whereas if you want an intense coffee flavour go for Mr Black.

5 - The key to getting that froth on top? Just shaking the hell out of it with lots of ice! Seriously, shake it for 30 seconds and you'll get a nice thick head, perfect for resting your coffee beans on.

6 - Speaking of coffee beans, did you know that having three on top of an espresso martini is good luck? Three beans are meant to represent three blessings: health, wealth and happiness (and I'm sure we could all use all three in 2025!). It actually comes from the traditional Italian way of serving of Sambuca. In Italy, the beans are known as "con la mosca" aka "with the fly."

Want to Make your Own version of Mr Black or Kahlua? Try my recipes here: Homemade Mr Black recipe. Homemade Kahlua recipe.

Anyway, back to where I got this espresso martini recipe from. I have had so many espresso martinis in my life and quite honestly they're never terrible but I had one once and it was so much better than the rest.

I asked the bartender for his secret to his espresso martini and he told me that it was half a shot of Baileys to make the cocktail just a touch creamy but not too rich. He said that he would tell me the proportions on one condition: that I don't say where it was from because he didn't want to get in trouble for giving out the recipe. I could share it with anyone as long as I didn't say where I got it.

I got the impression that his manager was a bit of a tyrant and he wasn't going to be working there long anyway so he may as well spread the espresso martini love. And this is just me spreading the love to you! May your 2025 be full of cheer and love (and health, wealth and happiness!).

So tell me Dear Reader, did you know about the three coffee bean symbolism?

The BEST Espresso Martini

An Original Recipe by Lorraine Elliott

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Cooking time: 0 minutes

Makes 1 cocktail

• 45ml/1.5ozs vanilla vodka (can also use regular vodka)
• 30ml/1floz Mr Black or Kahlua
• 30ml/1floz espresso
• 15ml/0.5oz Baileys
• 15ml/0.5oz simple syrup (optional)* see recipe below

Step 1 - Place the vanilla vodka, Mr Black or Kahlua, Espresso, Baileys and simple syrup (if using) with 1/2 cup of ice cubes in a cocktail shaker. Place the lid on and shake for 30 seconds. Pour into a chilled glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans.

To Make Simple Syrup: place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water and bring to a simmer stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cool and refrigerate. I often keep a jar of simple syrup in the fridge for cocktails.