Exceptional Espresso Martini Recipe: The Best Valentine's Day Cocktail Cocktails Holidays

When I got a text with a photo from my daughter who lives in California telling me that this was her third time that week she had gone out for espresso martinis, I had to laugh. First, because the photo she sent was adorable; and second, I had never tasted an espresso martini. Because I am always interested in what my grown kids are doing, I had to try one for myself.

Fail – or so I was told by my daughter. I ordered one at a Mexican restaurant (first mistake) and sent her a photo. Though it tasted fine, it was not a true espresso martini. The overly thick cocktail tasted more like chocolate than coffee, and was topped with whipped cream like a dessert. Oh, my. I knew then and there I needed to find a good espresso martini recipe to make at home.

This easy espresso martini recipe is really simple to make once you brew the espresso and prepare the simple syrup. Coffee liqueur, vodka, brewed espresso and simple simple are put into an ice-filled cocktail shaker before being shaken, and shaken hard. Shaking the drink vigorously makes it foam up and creates the beautiful layer of foam on the top once poured into the martini glass. And after ordering an espresso martini with my daughter on my last trip to see her, I know this one would pass her taste test.

This espresso martini would be a wonderful (and romantic!) cocktail to serve on Valentine's Day to your sweetheart. And cheers to my beautiful daughter who introduced me to this creamy coffee cocktail.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (if espresso is brewed and simple syrup prepared)
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur (I use Kahlúa)
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce brewed espresso, cooled completely 
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• coffee beans, for garnish (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Put ice into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the cooled coffee, simple syrup, coffee liqueur and vodka. 
3. Shake hard to create a foam. 
4. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans, if desired.

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