Professional photograph of an Espresso Martini cocktail with three coffee beans floating on velvety foam, served in a chilled coupe glass

Cocktail

Espresso Martini

El Espresso Martini es un cóctel elegante y energizante que combina la intensidad del café expreso con la suavidad de la vodka y un toque de licor de café. Servido en una copa de martini, se adorna con granos de café en la superficie, ofreciendo un equilibrio perfecto entre el sabor amargo del café y la dulzura del licor. Ideal para aquellos que buscan una experiencia de bebida sofisticada y revitalizante.

  • amargo
  • dulce
  • café
  • cremoso
Marcus
By MarcusAdvanced Mixology ExpertPublished Reviewed
Prep Time
5 min
Glass
Cocktail glass
Difficulty
Intermediate
ABV
22%
Yields
1 serving
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El Espresso Martini es un cocktail a base de vodka, reconocido por su carácter amargo and dulce — uno de los "cena" más buscados. Con solo 5 minutos de preparación, es ideal para fiestas nocturnas y fácil de preparar en casa. Si buscas "celebración", esta es tu receta.

Key Takeaways

What you’ll learn

  • The Espresso Martini was invented by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell in 1983 at Frederick's Club in Soho, London.
  • Fresh espresso (within 20 minutes of brewing) and vigorous 15-20 second shaking are essential for the signature foam layer.
  • The classic recipe uses 2 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz fresh espresso, and 0.5 oz simple syrup.
  • You can make excellent versions without an espresso machine using a Moka pot, AeroPress, or quality cold brew concentrate.
  • Popular variations include Tequila, Baileys, Salted Caramel, and Vanilla — all built on the same vodka-espresso-liqueur scaffold.

Ingredients

Serves
1 serving
Glass
Cocktail glass
Prep
5 min
  • 5 clVodka
  • 1 clKahlua
  • 1 dashSugar syrup

Method

Preparation

  1. 01

    Vierte los ingredientes en una coctelera llena de hielo, agita vigorosamente y cuela en una copa de martini fría.

Origin

History & Origins

In 1983, a young model walked into Fred's Club in London's Soho district and asked legendary bartender Dick Bradsell for a drink that would "wake me up, then mess me up." Bradsell, known for his innovative approach to mixology, grabbed vodka, coffee liqueur, sugar, and a fresh shot of espresso from the bar's newly installed coffee machine. The result was what he initially called the "Vodka Espresso," which later became the modern Espresso Martini we know today.

The drink experienced a renaissance in the 2010s and has since exploded in popularity. According to cocktail industry reports, Espresso Martini orders have surged over 300% in the past five years, making it one of the fastest-growing cocktails globally. Its appeal lies in the perfect marriage of sophistication and indulgence — combining coffee culture with cocktail culture in a single, photogenic glass.

According to cocktail industry reports, Espresso Martini orders have surged over 300% in the past five years, making it one of the fastest-growing cocktails globally.

The signature foam layer that crowns a properly made Espresso Martini is more than aesthetic. When you shake fresh espresso vigorously with ice, the agitation emulsifies the natural coffee oils. Combined with the CO₂ still present in freshly brewed espresso, those oils create the micro-bubbles that form the velvety crema on top. This is why fresh espresso is critical — the oils and gases dissipate within 20–30 minutes of brewing.

Bartender’s Insight

Pro Tips

El espresso debe ser recién tirado y aún caliente cuando se añade al recipiente de mezcla—esta temperatura es crítica para la emulsión que crea la capa de crema característica y la textura adecuada

From Marcus

  • Agita en seco la mezcla completa (sin hielo) durante 15 segundos primero para construir espuma, luego añade hielo y agita vigorosamente otros 15 segundos para enfriar adecuadamente e integrar sabores

  • Cuela en una copa de martini refrigerada para preservar la capa de espuma densa que define la firma visual de la bebida y crea el ritual de sorber primero a través de la crema

At the Table

Perfect Pairings

Trufas de chocolate
Tiramisú
Mousse de chocolate oscuro
Filete con especias de café

Beyond the Classic

Variations

Espresso Martini Affogato

Flota gelato de vainilla en la parte superior para crear un híbrido bebida-postre con contraste de temperatura y dulzura

Espresso Martini Helado

Agita sobre hielo y sirve sobre hielo fresco en una copa de rocas para un consumo más prolongado y menos degradación de temperatura

Espresso Martini Vietnamita

Usa café vietnamita con leche condensada dulce para un carácter de café más cremoso y complejo

Watch

See it in action

Questions

Frequently Asked

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