Espresso martini is what you cook for nightcap or when you are getting ready for a night out with your friends but you don't want to be left out because you have taken a siesta. Strong enough as a cocktail but dangerously easy to drink when given a good shot of bourbon, this coffee cocktail is made with espresso, vodka and Kahlua.
Espresso Martini
So, being a person who loves coffee to the shameless degree – this definitely goes to my list of top favorite cocktails. It's best for when I need a boost in spirits during events I attend; mainly social functions. I have it at fancy meals to pair with dessert or instead of dessert.
The food looks so appetizing that I'd order it all night long except for the fact that I attempt to be moderate about my coffee intake and therefore, I only order at most two!
What you need
This is what you need for an espresso martini: espresso coffee, vodka and Kahlua!
What is Kahlua?
Kahlua is a coffee-flavored liqueur from Mexico. It is sweet and the syrup formation is rather slimy. That means that the best substitute for Kahlua is another brand of coffee liqueur. I've seen some at my local liquor store and I'm sure Aldi has an imitation on the cheap!
They do not know which is which between Kahlua and Baileys often than not. The difference is that Baileys Irish Cream is made from Irish whiskey and cream and this drink has pale brown creamy shine. On the same note, Kahlua has a dark brown colour, the colour of coffee; the same as the colour of the bottle.
How many milligrams of alcohol is in an Espresso Martini?
It has a rather steep alcoholic level – 60 ml/ 2 oz total of Vodka and Kahlua which is equivalent to 2 standard drinks.
In spite of the fact that it contains a good whack of alcohol it is easy to drink because the true nature of the alcohol does not manifest itself because of the coffee taste.
How to make it
Here is how you make an espresso martini. All you have to do is shake with ice in a cocktail shaker, and that is it!
KEY TIP! Many people recommend that coffee should be cooled before its use; otherwise its use will result in melting of ice and its consequent dilution.
What is essential to make an espresso martini frothy?
For the pretty famous signature frothy layer on top of your Espresso Martini you need to use real espresso coffee made in a proper coffee machine to get the nice crema (a kind of froth on the espresso). So when it comes to using instant coffee granules, you won't get a similar result even with a French Press or similar no matter how much you shake your cocktail shaker.
HOT TIP! If you don't have a suitable coffee maker, just add egg white. It doesn't affect the taste and consistency of the cocktail but if after shaking drink, expect to have the best froth on the top. You need the foam to have the coffee beans float on it, or to be broken by the tossing in the cup.
When and what to accompany Espresso Martini
Turn this into an after dinner drink by garnishing it with caramel popcorn (or Christmas Popcorn Candy if it's the holidays) or plates of chocolate covered strawberries that people can munch on.
For those who can't get enough of coffee then order Tiramisu which is everybody's most loved Italian coffee flavored dessert. Or try it with a Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting – because chocolate and coffee = love deal!
Ingredients
- 40ml / 1 1/3oz Vodka
- 20ml (2/3 oz) Kahlua
- 20ml (2/3 oz) espresso coffee, lukewarm
- 3 coffee beans, garnish
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients and put the mixture in a cocktail shaker. Mode: Shake.
- Invert the cocktail shaker ten times then pour the content in a cocktail glass while there is a tip of the shaker. Remove interior foam if needed, scraping it out of the shaker.
- Sprinkle with 3 coffee beans and serve it fresh.
Recipe Notes:
TIPS:
- Minimize carrying cases by cooling the coffee so that it does not melt the ice = will not water down drink flavor
- Espresso coffee made from a proper coffee machine = a nice layer of crema on the coffee = nice layer of foam on the top of Espresso Martini
- Foam not possible with coffee granules of production Espresso Martini, French Press coffee, or similar. Need a proper machine!
- No coffee machine? Cheat! If you pour 1/2 egg white into it and shake, it will create a great foam layer, but you won't be able to taste it!
- Required foam under the vending coffee beans!
Recipe source: Absolut vodka producers company, Absolut Drinks
