Make the perfect espresso martini at home

Over the last decade, the humble Espresso Martini has become a global favourite. It's become so popular you'll now often find this fabulous cocktail on tap in your favourite restaurant, bar or movie theatre. When done right, an espresso martini has a perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

An Espresso Martini can be perfection in a glass. It's simple, stimulating and utterly delicious. This easy-to-make cocktail is the perfect party drink, after work or early evening drink, as it offers you a quick delicious pick-me-up!

As the name suggests, an espresso martini is designed to be made with espresso coffee; however, don't despair because you can also make a reasonably decent Espresso Martini using plunger, stovetop or instant coffee. 

Make the perfect espresso martini at home!

The Ingredients

• Ice Cubes
• 45ml Vodka
• 25ml Kahlúa
• 25ml Espresso
• 3 Whole coffee beans

Method

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
   (If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can use a gym drink shaker, or a large jar will also work.)
2. Add the Vodka, Kahlúa, and the Espresso.
3. Shake well to get a foam happening on top.
4. Strain and pour into a cocktail or martini glass.
   (The ice does not get included in your glass)
5. Garnish by placing three coffee beans if you like.

Variations

Adding Cream to a traditional espresso martini smooths out the flavour.

Chocolate Espresso Martini

• Ice Cubes
• 45ml Vodka
• 25ml Chocolate Liqueur
• 25ml Espresso
• 15ml Cream
• Grated chocolate for topping

Espresso Martini Tips

Make sure you give your Martini a vigorous shake (that goes for any shaken cocktail) but especially the Espresso Martini since we know you'd love to get that crema and frothy head on your drink. Use solid block ice cubes.

We all like different things, so play around with measures to find the right recipe for you.

An easy way to start is to use equal parts of each ingredient and then navigate from there, adjusting the ratios to your liking to find out if you prefer a more potent character, more or less sweetness or maybe a boosted espresso profile.

If you're having a party think about making them the night before so they can be pre-chilled on hand.

Did you know?

Who invented the Espresso Martini? The late, great British bartender Dick Bradsell invented the now iconic Espresso Martini recipe.

Richard Arthur Bradsell (4 May 1959 – 27 February 2016) was a British bartender noted for his innovative work with cocktails, including the creation of many new drinks now considered to be modern classics.The Observer described him as the "cocktail king",while Waitrose Food Illustrated compared him to celebrity chefs and the San Francisco Chronicle credited him with "single-handedly (changing) the face of the London cocktails scene in the 1980s."