Enjoying a drink while spending time with loved ones or watching a Christmas film is the perfect way to unwind during the holidays—and it’s even better when the cocktail you’re sipping on is easy to make. Enter: the espresso martini. This strong, sweet, and bitter blend is the ideal mix of booze and coffee. It only requires four ingredients—and offers a nice jolt of caffeine to boot, which will no doubt come in handy when you’re staying up late to finish all your festive duties. As a bonus, there are lots of fun ways to garnish and serve this drink for extra holiday flair. Learn how to make an espresso martini at home, plus discover the history behind this classic cocktail below.
The History of Espresso Martinis
In a 2011 interview, bartender Dick Bradsell shared the story of how he invented this cocktail in the late 80’s, while working at Fred’s Club in London. A customer asked him to make a drink that would “wake her up, and then f— her up.” So, Bradsell created what was then called the Vodka Espresso and is now known as the Espresso Martini—a cocktail consisting of espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur and simple syrup (a sweetener made from sugar and water). These ingredients are shaken in a cocktail shaker with ice before being strained into a chilled martini glass. The drink is then garnished with three coffee beans and served.
Mixology expert Andrew Nichols notes that it took several years for the cocktail to gain popularity. “The drink didn’t truly take off until the 1990s, when everything started being served in a stemmed glass,” he told Baltimore Magazine. Similar to other 90s cocktails, like cosmopolitans (a Sex and the City staple), espresso martinis are still being enjoyed to this day.
“[It’s a] convergence of two major U.S. consumer trends: Americans’ affinity for high-end coffee and cocktail culture,” Lisa Hawkins, senior vice president for public affairs for the Distilled Spirits Council, explained to CNN Business. “The elegance of the espresso martini elevates your cocktail experience at a bar or restaurant, and it also serves as an impressive after-dinner cocktail when entertaining guests at home.”
How to make an espresso martini
Having cocktail equipment handy, like a shaker and strainer, is one part of nailing this drink. Need more tips? Look no further: We asked Jane Danger, Pernod Ricard mixologist, five questions about how to make the perfect espresso martini at home.
First for Women: What’s an espresso martini made of?
Jane Danger: A classic espresso martini consists of one part Kahlúa, one part vodka like Absolut Vodka, one part brewed espresso and three whole coffee beans for garnish.
FFW: Are there variations of this drink?
JD: One of the reasons I love this cocktail is that it lends itself to creativity, and you can switch up the recipe with the seasons. In the fall, add a dash of pumpkin syrup and garnish with cinnamon. During the holiday season, I love serving drinks in unexpected ways to delight guests; in 2022 Kahlúa partnered with Emmy Award-winning food expert chef Gail Simmons, who developed a simplistic yet delicious Cocoa Cookie Cup recipe to serve as the perfect vessel for espresso martinis. (See how chef Simmons shakes up this cocktail in the video below.)
FFW: How do I make my espresso martini super frothy?
JD: The key is making sure you add the proper amount of ice to the shaker, and shaking for a good 15 to 20 seconds to achieve that perfect, velvety foam. Use a lot of ice and make sure to shake really hard—it should be a work out!
FFW: How do you garnish an espresso martini?
JD: The classic garnish is three espresso beans, but there are endless, delicious options when it comes to garnishes. Along with ground cinnamon, sprinkling the drink with coconut flakes, chocolate shavings or crushed candy cane can add another layer of festive flavor.
FFW: Any final thoughts on making this drink?
JD: If you don’t have espresso or instant espresso, use your favorite cold brew. Also, espresso martinis can be batched before a holiday gathering: Mix everything together and keep in a closed nonreactive container in the fridge for up to a week. Once you are ready to serve, the cocktails can quickly be shaken to order or poured into your favorite punch bowl (or fountain) over large ice to last the whole evening.
Bonus: Try this chai-infused version for a spiced kick!
The mixologists at Zacapa Rum share their unique take on this drink, which they name the Espresso Chai-Tini. This recipe combines Zacapa No. 23 Rum with chai spiced-infused simple syrup, espresso and other add-ins to add an aromatic flavor to this beloved cocktail. Cheers!
Espresso Chai-Tini
Ingredients:
- 1½ oz. Zacapa No. 23 Rum
- ½ oz. cold brew coffee or espresso
- ½ oz. coffee liqueur, preferably Mr Black
- ½ oz, chai simple syrup, see recipe below
- Star anise and cardamom pods, for garnish
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake and strain into a coupe glass.
- Garnish with star anise and cardamom pods.
Chai Simple Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup chai tea
- 4 slices ginger
- 2 cinnamon bar sticks
Directions:
- In a small saucepan combine the sugar, water and chai, cinnamon and ginger and bring to a simmer.
- Once sugar is dissolved, remove pot from the heat and allow tea and spices to steep 10 more minutes.
- Strain syrup and pour the chai simple syrup in a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
