Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is the ultimate sophisticated pick-me-up. It's a rich, indulgent, and velvety-smooth cocktail that perfectly combines the kick of fresh espresso with the clean spirit of vodka and the sweet complexity of coffee liqueur.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Vodka
- 1 oz Coffee Liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
- 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso
- ½ oz Simple Syrup (optional)
- Garnish: 3 Coffee Beans
Instructions
- Chill Your Glass: The key to a great Espresso Martini is serving it ice-cold. Fill your coupe or martini glass with ice and water to chill while you prepare the drink.
- Brew Espresso: Brew one shot of fresh, hot espresso. The heat is important as it helps create the signature creamy foam when shaken with ice.
- Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker to the top with ice. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso, and simple syrup (if you prefer a sweeter drink).
- Shake Hard: Seal the shaker tightly and shake as hard as you can for at least 15-20 seconds. You need to aerate the mixture aggressively to create that beautiful, thick layer of crema.
- Double Strain: Empty the ice from your now-chilled glass. Using a cocktail strainer and a fine-mesh strainer (double straining), pour the mixture into the glass. This ensures a silky-smooth, grit-free texture.
- Garnish: Let the drink settle for a moment to allow the foam to form a perfect layer. Gently place three coffee beans on top of the foam to garnish.
Pro Tips for Perfection
The Foam is Everything: The secret to a rich, stable foam is a vigorous shake and using freshly brewed, hot espresso. The heat and oils from the coffee emulsify when shaken with ice, creating that beautiful crema. Don't use cold brew or old coffee!
Double Strain for a Silky Texture: Shaking with ice can create tiny ice shards. Pouring the drink through a second, fine-mesh strainer as it goes into the glass (a technique called "double straining") guarantees a perfectly smooth, velvety mouthfeel.