Italian Cocktails
Espresso Martini
The short answer
An Espresso Martini is vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur and a touch of syrup, shaken hard so the crema forms a thick foam.
- Style
- Coffee, sharp, 20% ABV
- Glass
- Chilled coupe
- Strength
- About 20% ABV
Where it comes from
London, late 1980s — a model asked Dick Bradsell for something that would wake her up and mess her up. It is not Italian by birth, but it lives or dies on Italian espresso, so Larry keeps it on the list.
What you need
- 1½ oz (45 ml) vodka
- 1 oz (30 ml) fresh hot espresso
- ¾ oz (22 ml) coffee liqueur
- ¼ oz (7 ml) simple syrup
- 3 coffee beans, to garnish
How Larry builds it
- 01
Pull the shot fresh. Cold or old espresso will not foam. Pull it and use it inside a minute.
- 02
Shake hard. Everything plus plenty of ice, shaken 15 seconds with real violence. That is where the foam comes from.
- 03
Double strain. Through the shaker's strainer and a fine mesh into a chilled coupe.
- 04
Three beans. Placed on the foam once it settles, about ten seconds after pouring.
Larry’s rule: Shake hard with ice for 15 seconds — that violence is what makes the crema.
Variations worth making
Amaro Espresso
Swap half the vodka for Averna. Darker and less sweet.
Salted caramel
A pinch of salt in the shaker sharpens the coffee.
Questions people ask
Why is my espresso martini not foamy?
Cold espresso or a weak shake. The crema needs to be fresh and the shake needs to be 15 hard seconds.
Can I use instant coffee?
It works in a pinch if you make it double strength, but the foam will be thinner and the flavor flatter.
More from Italian Cocktails
← All 67 Italian drinksQuoting or citing this drink? Credit “Uncle Larry Adventures” and link to https://unclelarryadventures.com/beverages/espresso-martini.