Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Leah Hall
An espresso martini cocktail can be what you make for after dinner drinks, or as a pick me up in the afternoon before a long evening!
I really never order espresso martinis (or really any other sweet martinis) when eating out because they are super sweet, and maybe even have chocolate drizzles. Not my thing. Or Jay’s. But a great classic espresso martini is the way to go!
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But, we are both shameless coffee addicts, and when you combine coffee and liquor in one, we are in heaven! This espresso martini cocktail is perfect to order at nice restaurants to have alongside dessert – or in lieu of dessert. If you aren’t wanting that hot cup of coffee that sometimes is just too much!
I would happily order them all night long except that I try not to have a ton of caffeine later in the evening or at night, because I am old now and it keeps me up! But sometimes, that is precisely what I am going for!
Espresso Martini Ingredients
The espresso martini cocktail is generally made up of espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur (Kahlua), topped with a few espresso beans. It is basically a chocolate martini with coffee. Some recipes call for it to be made with Godiva Chocolate liqueur, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Galliano (an Italian liqueur with notes of vanilla).
History of the Espresso Martini
Rumor is in 1983 at Soho Brasserie in London, bartender Dick Bradsell had a customer walk in, a model. She requested him to “wake me up, then f**k me up”. He had been thinking about coffee, and vodka was the drink of the day back then. So, he answered the legendary request in this espresso martini cocktail!
Espresso
You want great espresso for this cocktail. There are several ways to attain that. When you start with a great espresso, you don’t need to mess with it. It’s especially good if you use a blend that has some nutty and chocolate notes in it. It needs to be bold and have some body.
The espresso must be chilled or you will have too much dilution when the ice in the cocktail shaker melts too much. So make sure to budget time for chilling the espresso.
Make Espresso at Home
Espresso Machine
- A shot of espresso is less bitter in a small amount.
- To get a frothy layer on the surface of your Espresso Martini (we did not because of our ingredients!), you need to use real espresso coffee from a coffee machine that gives you a nice crema (the velvety layer of foam on the espresso).
Method Without the Machine
- Coffee is now sold right in grocery stores in cans. So you can make this recipe easily by buying it.
- You can also use a strong brewed coffee made in your coffee pot or French Press as well, but it won’t be quite the same.
- You can buy a couple espresso shots from your local coffee shop drive thru. Just make sure to cool it!
Dark Chocolate Espresso Martini
Of course, we had to be different! This dark chocolate and orange version of the espresso martini cocktail is perfect for Valentine’s Day, too! At least we think so! We started off with the Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur and espresso, of course!
The Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur adds so much flavor and texture to this cocktail, and we just love to use this decadent ingredient!
We then added some orange vodka, which is different from the classic regular vodka, or the encouraged vanilla vodka. And it was good, but not perfect. Jay thought it needed a bolder darker flavor, so we added a dash of blackstrap rum, which melded perfectly with the Mozart dark chocolate.
What Ingredients are Needed for the Espresso Martini?
- Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur
- Orange Vodka
- Espresso
- Blackstrap Rum
So, this boozy treat is full of flavor from the Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur, orange vodka, dark rum and espresso is a treat! Perfect for dessert with your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day or an easy afternoon pick me up (cause I know you need it)! Try this chocolate liqueur cocktail that is so tasty!
Cheers!
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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Other Espresso Martini Recipes
- Chocolate Caramel Espresso Martini – Whole and Heavenly Oven
- Caramel Espresso Martini – Jelly Toast
- Chocolate Mint Espresso Martini – Spirited LA
- Tequila Espresso Martini – Salty Paloma

Dark Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini
This espresso martini cocktail is full of flavor from Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur, orange vodka, espresso coffee and blackstrap rum! Boozy and tasty, and perfect for Valentine's Day!
Ingredients
- 1.50 ounces Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur
- 1 ounce orange vodka
- 1 ounce espresso
- .50 ounce blackstrap rum
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake to combine, strain into coupe.
- Garnish with coffee beans.
- Cheers!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 190Sodium: 4mg
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