The espresso martini has had as big a couple of years. Once considered passé, this cocktail has taken the cocktail world by storm: In every single reality TV show where people are eating dinner, they are consuming copious espresso martinis.
According to beverage industry think tank Ground Signal, the demand for the espresso martini at weddings grew a whopping 77% from 2022 to 2024. And I remember a time when asking for anything other than a rum and Coke at a wedding was offensive.
As the espresso martini has grown from a niche fine-dining request to your stepmom ordering eight at a wedding, the world has also gotten more expensive—probably making it hard to go out as many nights as you want. As much as I encourage you to support our area’s amazing bar scene, I also understand that sometimes you just want to save a few dollars and make drinks at home in your sweatpants.
So, here are some tips and tricks for making amazing espresso martinis from the comfort of your home.
Tip 1: Choose your coffee wisely
The best espresso martinis are made with real espresso, but that is not easy to do at home. I am a big ol’ coffee dork, and even I don’t have an espresso machine at home. Our friends at Karajillo & Co., a bar and cafe on Sierra and First streets, make freshly pulled espresso martinis to order—and even they know fresh coffee isn’t always an option.
“A lot of people don’t have espresso at home, so they use cold coffee, and that can mess up the martini,” said Kelvin Celis, managing partner at the bar. He recommends using a high-quality espresso liqueur and cold brew when espresso is not available.
A world of high-quality espresso liqueur is on the market these days, from Australian brand Mr. Black, which the Karajillo team favors, to Evil Bean Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, made in Minden. A great way to find your favorite espresso liquor is to ask the bartender the next time you have an espresso martini you love; you may find you have been a Kahlúa drinker all along.
For cold brew, I recommend visiting your favorite coffee shop and asking to buy some concentrate to take home. Most cold brew concentrates will last about a week in your fridge.
Tip 2: Know your recipe
Just as everyone has a different coffee order, most people have a preference for their espresso martini. Some like it sweeter; some like it with a hint of vanilla; and some people like theirs with cream liqueur like Baileys. I don’t think Baileys has a place in an espresso martini, but who am I to tell you how to drink your drinks? That’s the point: Drink what you like. At home, you don’t have to be cool; you have to like what is in the glass.
That said, here’s a good jumping-off-point recipe for making them at home:
- 1.5 ounces of vanilla vodka
- 1 ounce of Evil Bean Coffee Liqueur
- 1 ounce of cold brew concentrate
- 1/2 ounce of simple syrup
Pour ingredients over ice; shake and strain into a cocktail glass.
If you like it a little creamier, cut your coffee liqueur in half and add a half-ounce of cream liqueur. If you want more vodka kick, up it to 2 ounces and drop your cold brew to a half-ounce. Play around with the ratios until you find the one that works for you.
Tip 3: Improvise
Bartenders have used the term “riff” to describe changing the base spirit of a classic cocktail for decades. So, if something is a riff on a classic, it means that a classic inspired it. More often than not, mezcal is just swapped in for the base spirit.
You can do this at home, too. You don’t need to be beholden to the classic use of vodka in an espresso martini. Are you a bourbon lover? Try using bourbon as the base spirit, and garnish with a dash of cinnamon. Want a little island flair? Use coconut rum instead of vodka. The team at Karajillo & Co. uses tequila in their best-selling house espresso martini.
I personally don’t drink alcohol, so I use Pathfinder Hemp & Root Non-Alcoholic Spirit as my base spirit, with no coffee liqueur, and pour it over ice.
The key here is to let your imagination run wild. You can even buy a few base spirits and make espresso martini flights for your friends. Just don’t expect to get much sleep that night.
