How to Make a Frothy Espresso Martini at Home
After testing this espresso martini more times than I can count, I landed on the perfect balance of vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and simple syrup. It's smooth, bold, and finished with that signature creamy foam on top.
I tested this espresso martini recipe dozens of times, playing with the ratios, swapping ingredients, and even trying versions without Kahlua or without espresso altogether. Ultimately, the taste testers were unanimous: this exact combination hits the sweet spot. The vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup come together in a bold, smooth blend, with no single flavor overpowering the others.
As a shameless coffee lover, this is one of my all-time favorite cocktails. I love serving it after an Italian-inspired meal in place of dessert, but it's just as at home at late-night gatherings when I want to keep the energy up. The espresso brings depth and that signature foam, the coffee liqueur adds richness, and the simple syrup softens the edges just enough.
It's also refreshingly easy to make. I shake vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and simple syrup with ice until thick and foamy, then strain it into martini glasses and finish with a few coffee beans on top. The result is a perfectly balanced espresso martini that's rich, lively, and endlessly sippable-especially if you love the taste of coffee as much as I do.
How to make an espresso martini frothy
The key to the desirable foamy top is using fresh, machine-brewed espresso. If you don't own an espresso machine, don't worry, you can still make a frothy martini using strong brewed coffee or cold brew; simply add an egg white or use a cocktail foamer to the shaker, and you'll have a beautiful frothy martini in minutes!
How to Make a Frothy Espresso Martini at Home
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce chilled espresso
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 6 coffee beans
Method
- Add a handful of ice to your cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, coffee liquor, espresso, and simple syrup.2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce coffee liqueur, 1 ounce chilled espresso, 1 ounce simple syrup
- Secure the lid, then shake for about 30 seconds to work up the foam.
- Strain into two martini glasses and garnish each with 3 coffee beans.6 coffee beans
Notes
The foam on top of this recipe comes from machine-brewed espresso. If you use strong drip coffee instead and want the foam on top, you'll need to add an egg white or a few drops of a cocktail foamer. To make simple syrup, heat 1 tablespoon of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water until the sugar dissolves. For the sugar, you can use granulated sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
