Say hello to my current obsession.
It’s only the third coffee drink recipe I’ve shared in three weeks, so clearly I’m on a caffeine kick.
I fell hard for espresso martinis this past May. We had them at my friend Natalie’s bachelorette party before heading out, and that first sip opened my eyes to how delicious this coffee cocktail can be.
I rarely order espresso martinis at bars because many versions are loaded with chocolate or heavy sweetness—fudge drizzles and the like. Sweet drinks aren’t usually my thing, except for the occasional nostalgic hot fudge milkshake from Dairy Queen circa 1994.
For cocktails I prefer something balanced, not overly sweet.
Case in point: last weekend I made sangria for Max’s birthday party. I used a dry champagne and was thrilled with it—but in my excitement I dumped an entire bag of frozen strawberries into the pitcher without thinking it would make the drink very sweet.
And, well, it did. The pitcher was consumed quickly, but afterward I didn’t want to touch anything sugary. It felt like my taste buds were going through some kind of mid-life crisis.
So back to the espresso martini. This is my simplified, cozy version:
- A shot (or two, or three) of real espresso—no decaf. I used my Nespresso machine for these.
- A splash of Kahlua or another coffee liqueur for a touch of sweetness and coffee depth.
- A splash of vanilla vodka for the boozy base and a hint of flavor.
Even though I first discovered these months ago, I waited to share because they feel so cozy—soul-warming rather than temperature-warm. They’re the kind of drink you sip by a fire with a friend.
Also worth noting: my last two Thursday recipes have been three-ingredient, caffeinated delights. Give me all the energy—this holiday season is a sprint.
Espresso Martinis
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Ingredients
- 1, 2, or 3 shots espresso
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur like Kahlua
- 1 ounce vanilla vodka
- coffee beans for garnish if desired
Instructions
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Add the espresso, liqueur and vodka to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a glass and garnish with coffee beans, if desired.
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Also called gift-wrapping fuel.