Easy Classic Espresso Martini Recipe with Baileys

This easy Espresso Martini recipe is a classic and delicious cocktail you can make in minutes with espresso or instant espresso! The perfect after-dinner drink of dessert cocktail for any coffee lover!

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An easy and delicious Espresso Martini recipe

The best espresso martini recipe, ready in minutes! This easy espresso martini recipe is made with simple ingredients, for a quick and easy drink with rich coffee flavor! shot of espresso.  

Best of all? You don't need an espresso machine to make a great espresso martini! This recipe calls for instant espresso, for fast and cost effective way to make your favorite bar cocktail at home, easily!

This is the perfect cocktail for coffee lovers, and this classic cocktail couldn't be easier to make! 

History of the Espresso Martini

The original Espresso Martini recipe was crafted by bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s in a club in London. It is rumored to have been made for model Kate Moss, whom asked for a cocktail to “wake me up and f@ck me up.”

Ingredients

This delicious cocktail requires minimal ingredients and only a few minutes! Here's what you'll need to make it:

• Espresso coffee. I used instant espresso for this recipe, but you can use a variety of different coffees to make this cocktail! See the Substitutions and Additions section below for some examples!
• 2 oz Vanilla Vodka. I used Stoli Vanilla.
• 1 oz coffee liqueur. I used Luxardo Espresso Liqueur.
• 1 oz Irish cream such as Baileys Irish Cream, or O'mara's.
• Espresso beans or coffee beans, for garnish.

Tips for the perfect Espresso Martini

For a perfectly frothy espresso martini with a beautifully foamy top, add a handful of ice to an metal cocktail shaker or glass cocktail shaker, add the cocktail ingredients, and shake VIGOROUSLY for 30 seconds.

For an extra chilled drink, give your glasses a quick chill prior to shaking and serving.

Want extra fancy cocktails? Use a coupe glass or martini glasses!

How to make this easy Espresso Martini recipe

Make your espresso of choice, and allow to cool completely. For this recipe. I used 1 heaping teaspoon of instant espresso to 3 ounces hot (not boiling) water. I stirred it well, and allowed it to cool prior to making the cocktail. 

1. Add a large handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. 
2. Add the cooled espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, and Irish cream to the shaker. 
3. Shake well and(and vigorously) for 30 seconds, then strain into (optionally chilled) coup glass. 
4. Garnish (carefully) with 3 espresso beans or coffee beans, and serve! If you want to be precise, you can use culinary tweezers.

No Espresso Machine? No Problem!

If you'd rather not invest in a costly espresso machine, or simply want a cocktail, you can use instant espresso! I used Caffe D’Vita Instant Espresso Coffee for this recipe. It only takes less than a minute to make, and cools down super fast!

Substitutions and Additions

This easy Espresso Martini recipe is easily adapted to work with your personal preferences, as well as what you have on hand. Here are some swaps and additions you can use to make this cocktail your own.

• No vanilla vodka? Use your favorite vodka (plain or whipped) instead! Grey Goose vodka or Stateside are great plain vodka options!
• You can use fresh brewed espresso, instant espresso powder, or cold brew coffee concentrate to make this recipe! You can also make your own cold brew in a french press. No espresso machine required!
• Do a pumpkin spice twist and use Pumpkin Pie Liqueur in place of the Irish Cream!

More great cocktail recipes

if you love this easy Espresso Martini recipe, you'll love these tasty cocktails, too!

• Spiked Dalgona Coffee- a boozy take on the fun, frothy coffee drink!
• Toasted Coconut White Russian, with a coconut rimmed glass!
• Boozy Peppermint Mocha- a hot chocolate with a boozy mint bite!
• Pumpkin Spice Martinis- creamy after dinner drinks perfect for fall.
• My Cucumber Martini recipe, an easy way to make crisp, refreshing martinis with fresh cucumber and vodka or gin!

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