DrinkMasters Collection
$2.37
cost
167
cal
21.8%
ABV
5/5
NA score
1.23
std drinks
11g
sugar
Espresso Martini
Where coffee culture meets cocktail craft
The Recipe
- Vodka45 ml
- Coffee liqueur15 ml
- Fresh espresso30 ml
- Simple syrup10 ml
Glass
Coupe or Martini glass
Garnish
Three coffee beans
Difficulty
Medium
Origin
London, United Kingdom (1983)
Flavor Profile
The Story
Created by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred's Club in Soho in 1983. The story goes that a young model asked for a drink that would "wake me up and then f*** me up." Bradsell combined vodka with fresh espresso and coffee liqueur, and the Espresso Martini was born.
Bartender Notes
"The espresso must be fresh — stale espresso won't create the crema. Shake extremely hard; the foam is the signature. Three coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness."
Preparation
- 1Pull a fresh shot of espresso and let it cool for 30 seconds.
- 2Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- 3Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds — a hard shake creates the signature crema.
- 4Double strain into a chilled coupe or Martini glass.
- 5Garnish with three coffee beans placed on the crema.
Notable Variations
- Pornstar Martini (passionfruit)
- Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
- Oat Milk Espresso Martini
Cost
Cost Breakdown
Pour cost
$2.37
Bar price
$13–$16
You save
$10.63
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| vodka | 2 oz | $1.58 |
| kahlúa | 0.5 oz | $0.43 |
| espresso | 1 oz | $0.35 |
| simple syrup | 0.25 oz | $0.02 |
| Total pour cost | $2.37 | |
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Calories
167
Sugar
11g
ABV
21.8%
Std drinks
1.23
| Ingredient | Calories | % Total |
|---|---|---|
| vodka | 97.4 | 58.4% |
| coffee liqueur | 43.6 | 26.2% |
| simple syrup | 21.6 | 13% |
| fresh espresso | 4.1 | 2.4% |
Carbs: 11.2g
Alcohol: 17.2g
Volume: 3.4 oz
Zero-Proof
Non-Alcoholic Version
Original cost
$2.06
Zero-proof cost
$2.83
| Original | Replacement | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| vodka | Ritual Zero Proof Vodka Alternative(Ritual) | $1.68 |
| coffee liqueur | Lyre's Coffee Originale(Lyre's) | $0.73 |
| fresh espresso | Kept | $0.40 |
| simple syrup | Kept | $0.02 |
Flavor notes
This recipe converts cleanly because citrus, dilution, and modifiers still do most of the work.
Pairs Well With
Common Questions
- What ingredients do I need for a Espresso Martini?
- 1.5216325426479789 oz Vodka, 0.5072108475493262 oz Coffee liqueur, 1.0144216950986524 oz Fresh espresso, 0.3381405650328842 oz Simple syrup.
- How much does a Espresso Martini cost to make at home?
- The estimated pour cost for a Espresso Martini is $2.37 using standard US retail bottle prices.
- How many calories are in a Espresso Martini?
- A Espresso Martini has approximately 167 calories, with 21.8% ABV and 11g of sugar.
- Can I make a non-alcoholic Espresso Martini?
- Yes — the Espresso Martini has a convertibility score of 5/5. The zero-proof version costs approximately $2.83.
- Where was the Espresso Martini invented?
- The Espresso Martini originated in London, United Kingdom around 1983.