Creamy Hazelnut Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini Recipe

Hello, my fellow coffee fiends. Let’s me introduce you to my very favorite martini recipe– the Espresso Martini. If Nutella were a cocktail, it’d be this creamy espresso martini recipe! This is a fun, festive, and frothy vodka martini drink recipe. Don’t forget to top it off with a few coffee beans to really take it over the top. I love using chocolate covered coffee beans for an extra treat.

This recipe is a hazelnut variation on the classic with the optional addition of chocolate liqueur. Espresso martini recipes found online can be hit or miss, so we did the testing for you. After a hearty holiday meal, sometimes the best digestif is a drinkable dessert in the form of espresso martinis! Christmas Recipes and Thanksgiving Recipes can be pretty filling!

How To Make An Espresso Martini 

An espresso martini sounds fancy, but it’s actually really simple to make. It’s a wonderful cocktail to mix up during the holidays or, in our case, when you’re hitting the slots in Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan hotel.  Grab your french press, cocktail glass and shaker and follow these easy steps:

1, Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Add espresso, vodka, Kahlua, and Frangelico hazelnut liqueur to the cocktail shaker.

3. Optionally, you can add Godiva chocolate liqueur and pasteurized egg white.

4. Shake it until chilled and frothy. It takes 30 seconds.

5. Strain into a large martini glass, top with coffee beans and enjoy!

That’s it! You’ll have delicious hazelnut espresso martinis within minutes.

Espresso Martini Ingredients

You only need 4 ingredients, plus ice and a cocktail glass, to make this martini recipe: espresso coffee, vodka, Kahlua and Frangelico. For a richer chocolate flavor you can add in some Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or Baileys Irish Cream. To add some froth, you can shake in some pasteurized egg. Truth be told, I only add it maybe 10% of the time. I can get pretty lazy.

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Coffee Beans

You MUST use high-quality espresso coffee when making an espresso martini. Don’t be cheap! This is not the time to pick up some Yuban, Folgers or other horrible tasting strong coffee! Mixing bad tasting coffee with liqueur does not make it taste better. In fact, it highlights how awful the coffee was to being with.

Can You Make Espresso Martinis Without A Coffee Machine?

Yep! You can absolutely make a this drink recipe without an espresso machine or coffee machine. Use store-bought cold brew concentrate instead of using fresh coffee beans.

Coffee Liqueur

Here are some coffee flavored liqueur options to consider, as well as some variations, to really amp up this espresso martini recipe:

Kahlua – Kahlua is king! It’s the brand used world wide for Espresso martinis, and is easy to find, so it’s our top pick.

Mr. Black Cold Brew – This is new to the market and amazing. We love it when we’re hosting to really amp up the coffee flavor. It can be hard to find and is more expensive than Kahlua.

Tia Maria – Less sweet than Kahlua with a stronger coffee flavor. It’s a great option if you prefer less “sweet” drinks.

Amaretto – If you don’t have Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, Amaretto would also be delicious. 

Make it Sweet! If you would like a drink that is slightly sweeter, add 1/2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur or Creme de Cacao or ½ ounce of simple syrup. Simple syrup is pretty easy to make. Just boil equal parts sugar and water and let cool before adding it to the cocktail shaker.

What Can You Use Instead of Kahlua?

If you do not have any Kahlua or coffee liqueur available for this creamy espresso martini, you can substitute an additional ounce of espresso coffee. The other liqueurs will do the heavy lifting!

How Much Alcohol Is In A Martini

Would you like this martini recipe more if I answered “Tons?” The good news is both Kahlua and Frangelico have only 20% ABV which is low for a liqueur. If you’re adding in the Godiva Liqueur it’s only 15% ABV. So it’s still a pretty strong cocktail, but 3 of the 4 liqueurs have low ABV.

How Many Calories Are In An Espresso Martini

This classic espresso martini contains 259 calories in a single serving, but it’s worth it. If you are watching your calorie intake, skip dessert and enjoy this drinkable one instead! This does not include any coffee beans eaten as garnish (or any other additions you may add like simple syrup).

How To Make An Espresso Martini Frothy

To get a classic espresso martini frothy, add a pasteurized egg white* to the cocktail shaker. Shake well for 30 seconds. The result is a foamy espresso martini. Using freshly brewed espresso also contributes frothiness to the martini.

*It is important to use pasteurized egg when making this coffee cocktail or any martini recipe that calls for them. A standard egg white contains bacteria that can cause food borne illnesses. Stick to pasteurized eggs for cocktails. If you do not have pasteurized eggs, or if you have a weakened immune system, leave the egg out. Without the egg white, the drink will still be delicious— just not as foamy. 

Can You Make Espresso Martini in Advance?

For optimal flavors, it is best to make this espresso martini recipe right before enjoying and not mix the espresso martini in advance. If hosting a party and looking to save a bit of time, you can always measure out the liquor, in advance, and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use. However, this recipe does taste best if made right before you plan to enjoy it. Besides, cocktail mixing is a fun spectacle or group activity if you are hosting any guests!

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