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Looking for a bold, frothy cocktail that’s easy to make at home? This dairy-free Espresso Martini is rich, smooth, and packed with coffee flavor. We’re using espresso cold brew coffee – no espresso machine or fancy bar tools required.

Two glasses filled with espresso martini with foam on top and garnished with 3 coffee beans.

Made with just a few simple ingredients, this cocktail is the perfect pick-me-up after dinner or a fun addition to your next at-home happy hour. The frothy top (that signature espresso martini look!) comes from shaking the drink vigorously with ice – not milk, cream, or a shot of espresso.

Whether you’re a coffee lover or just want a classy cocktail without the dairy, this easy espresso martini recipe delivers all the flavor and elegance of a bar-made drink – right from your own kitchen.

What’s in an Espresso Martini?

This dairy-free espresso martini keeps it simple with only four ingredients. For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Cold brew coffee – I know! It’s not freshly brewed espresso, but hear me out! I learned this trick from a local distillery that makes their espresso martinis in bulk. Use espresso roast coffee beans to make a batch of cold brew coffee for your espresso martinis. That way you still get all the strong, espresso flavor without needing to own an espresso machine.
  • Vodka – I like to use plain vodka in my espresso martinis so nothing takes away from the coffee flavor. You can use vanilla vodka instead if you want a sweeter drink with some vanilla flavor in it.
  • Coffee liqueur – This adds sweetness to the cocktail as well as ups the coffee flavor.
  • Chocolate bitters – With a touch of chocolate to enhance the coffee, chocolate bitters also keep the drink from becoming too sweet.
Ingredients for espresso martinis.

Love This Recipe?

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How to Make an Espresso Martini

A hand pouring cold brew coffee from a jigger into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. The longer you shake, the better the foam will be on your cocktail!

Espresso martini cocktail being poured from a cocktail shaker into a coupe glass.

Strain into a martini glass and garnish by gently place 3 coffee beans in the middle of the cocktail foam. Sip and enjoy!

Two glasses filled with espresso martini with foam on top and garnished with 3 coffee beans.
5 from 1 vote

Espresso Martini Recipe

This frothy, dairy-free Espresso Martini is an easy and elegant cocktail made without an espresso machine. Just a few simple ingredients shaken together create a smooth, bold coffee drink that’s perfect for after dinner or any time you want a caffeinated cocktail.

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz cold brew coffee
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 0.75 oz coffee liqueur
  • 4 dashes chocolate bitters

Instructions
 

  • Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker full of ice cubes.
    2 oz cold brew coffee, 1 oz vodka, 0.75 oz coffee liqueur, 4 dashes chocolate bitters
  • Shake well.
  • Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a few coffee beans, if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Serving: 1cocktail, Calories: 158kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.02g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 28mg, Sugar: 10g, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 0.01mg
Did you make this recipe?Please let us know by leaving a star rating and review!

Add Cream to Your Espresso Martini

You definitely need to enjoy coffee to enjoy espresso martinis. But if you prefer cream in your coffee, add 1 ounce of half and half along with the rest of the ingredients in the cocktail shaker. Or add 1 ounce of Rumchata liqueur or Irish Cream liqueur to add cream and more sweetness to your espresso martini.

Looking for a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail? Try my Espresso Martini Mocktail.

Looking for More Dessert Cocktails?

I love a sweet cocktail after dinner. Try my creamy chocolate and peanut butter whiskey cocktail, or a chocolate caramel martini. Want something less sweet? Stir up my coffee old fashioned cocktail, a mug of Irish Coffee, or shake up a chocolate espresso martini.

FAQs

Can I make an espresso martini without an espresso machine?

Absolutely! You can use cold brew concentrate or strongly brewed coffee that’s been chilled. These options work beautifully and give you that bold coffee flavor without needing any special equipment.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! This espresso martini is completely dairy-free. There’s no cream or cream liqueur – just vodka, coffee, coffee liqueur, and a touch of bitters.

How do I get the frothy layer on top?

The froth comes from shaking the cocktail vigorously with ice. The combination of cold coffee and shaking introduces air into the drink, creating that creamy top layer naturally – no dairy or egg whites needed!

Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?

You can mix the ingredients ahead, but for the best froth, shake the cocktail just before serving. The foam forms during the shaking process, so it’s worth doing it fresh!

Two glasses filled with espresso martini with foam on top and garnished with 3 coffee beans.

I love when you share my recipes!