The Italians must be credited for what they have given the world, from pizza to espresso shots- all simply divine. If you are an enthusiastic espresso drinker, we are sure you would also love the espresso martini cocktail. This power-packed cocktail can be your pick-me-up or an after-dinner drink.
The kick from the espresso coupled with booze is the kind of espresso drink that could help you break the ice at any party. You can ask the barista to make you an espresso martini, but what if you want to enjoy this cocktail at home when you throw a party for your friends?
You don’t need to worry or compromise on the party drink because we will guide you on how to make an espresso martini at home. It is convenient to make and doesn’t require any fancy ingredients. So let’s get right to it!
How to Make an Espresso Martini at Home
A homemade espresso martini could just be the next big thing for you at every party. It is so refreshing yet strong that your friends who haven’t tried it yet will all love it. Before we begin with how to make a cocktail, you will need to make sure you have all the right ingredients.
Ingredients
1. Martini Glasses
Presentation matters and that is why your cocktail won’t feel like a martini until they are poured into and served in espresso martini glasses
2. Espresso Coffee
Before you even get to the mixing, prep your espresso beforehand and allow it to cool. This will reduce the dilution and will also allow your drink to stay cold.
3. Kahlua
What’s a Kahlua, you might wonder? It’s a divine liquor of thin consistency that tastes like coffee. This is one of the main ingredients of your martini. But what if you can’t find it in your local stores? Don’t worry! You could use any coffee liquor available at any alcohol store.
4. Vodka
This is what will add the booze to your party drink. So make sure you don’t compromise on the 2 ounces of vodka needed for this cocktail.
5. Ice Cubes
Ice cubes and cocktails go hand-in-hand and the espresso martini is no different. Make sure you have 2 handfuls of ice cubes ready with you.
6. Coffee Beans
You’d need these to add the final touches to your drink. Make sure to get medium roasted ones that go best with this cocktail.
Equipment
First thing’s first! You will need an espresso machine with all the required features to pull the perfect espresso shot. The best kind of machines are the super-automatic machines, that’ll save you time and energy too whilst giving you a perfect shot.
The next thing you would need is a cocktail shaker. This is where all the magic will happen.
The Recipe (#Steps)
Once you’ve got your ingredients, you can get right to the main deed! Once you follow the recipe carefully, you’ll get a hang of it!
To make sure you have cold espresso, brew the beverage at least an hour before prepping your cocktail. That will allow it to cool naturally. Then in a cocktail shaker, add ice cubes, a shot of espresso, 1 oz of vodka, and two-thirds oz of coffee liquor. Shake well.
Once done, before pouring give the shaker a tap and a swirl. This will ensure a layer of crema on your cocktail. Pour the drink through a strainer into the martini glass. For the final touch, place three coffee beans on the frothy layer.
How to Make an Espresso Martini Without an Espresso Machine
If you don’t have an espresso machine at home, but want to try the espresso martini, you don’t have to wait. You can use a manually brewed coffee instead of the usual espresso.
But you have to be mindful when brewing the coffee as it needs to be strong enough to replace the bitter espresso. We suggest preparing 25 ml of coffee, using 4 heaped teaspoons of coffee. That way, you can enjoy an improvised espresso martini.
What is an Espresso Martini
Now that you know how to create an espresso martini, you might want to know some fun facts about it too. This combination of espresso and liquor makes up a divine party drink. However, not all bartenders like to make this as it requires a variety of ingredients added in respective amounts.
But with all the hassle this cocktail requires, it’s totally worth it!
Origin
We all know the Italians are credited for making espresso. But that’s not the case when it comes to an espresso martini cocktail. This drink was created by a British bartender in the 1980s when a model walked up to him asking for a drink that would ‘wake her up.
Caffeine in An Espresso Martini
The espresso in the martini is not the sole source of caffeine in the drink. This drink is considered refreshing, as it has a sufficient amount of caffeine. The espresso along with the Kahlua adds up to 66 milligrams of caffeine in one serving.
Calories in An Espresso Martini
A regular espresso martini contains around 280 calories. But you could also ask for a no-sugar, low-calorie martini that would have approximately 103 calories.
Espresso Martini Variations
You can get creative with the espresso martini as it comes in several variations. As a treat, we’ve cherry-picked our favorite variations for you to try out.
1. The Easy Espresso Martini
A quick and easy fix-up for any time of the day: the easy espresso martini. Don’t fall for the name, as it doesn’t use an espresso. The cocktail is made with just three ingredients, cold-brewed coffee, vodka, and Kahlua. Throw the ingredients in a shaker with ice and pour it out in a martini glass.
2. The Amaro Espresso Martini
This sweetened version of the espresso martini is an absolute delight. Instead of the regular Kahlua, it uses 1 oz of Caffe Amaro. Just add vodka, cold espresso, Caffe Amaro, and simple sweet syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and pour.
3. Chocolate Espresso Martini
One of our highly recommended martinis is the chocolate espresso martini. It’s a known fact that chocolate greatly complements espresso and that can be tasted in this version of the martini.
Along with the usual vodka, add chocolate vodka, 3 dashes of cocoa, and sweet syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake well, and serve.
Best Coffee Liqueur for Espresso Martini
When it comes to making an ordinary espresso martini, any coffee liquor will suffice. However, to prepare the best you need the best! We highly recommend Kahlua, which gives a sweet taste to the cocktail.
However, if you appreciate a less sweet drink, the Tia Maria would do the trick as it is less sweet and a bit more viscous than the Kahlua.
Tips for Making Espresso Martini Recipe
The best way to make an espresso martini is to follow certain tips and tricks. When it comes to perfection, we’ve got your back! Remember to follow a few of the tips explained to attain an accurate aroma and taste every time.
- Prepare the espresso long before making the cocktail. This will allow the drink to cool down naturally.
- Even if your coffee is hot, allow it to cool down before adding it to the shaker. If it’s still hot, adding it to the ice cubes could make it very bitter
- For a more sweetened flavor, you can also add sugar syrup to the martini that will balance the bitterness of the espresso.
FAQs
- Make sure to shake the shaker well and before pouring it into the martini glass, give it a tap and then a swirl.
- Also, remember not to add more than a single espresso shot to your drink as it will dilute the solution and you won’t be able to get that creamy espresso martini.
Winding-up
We guarantee once you learn how to make an espresso martini at home, you will start making the espresso martini cocktail yourself and it will be your go-to party drink. With the tips and tricks we have brought together for you, we are sure you’d enjoy not only drinking the cocktail but preparing it too.
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