Gingerbread Espresso Martini
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A Gingerbread Espresso Martini is the perfect way to bring a little holiday magic into your cocktail hour. It takes everything you already love about an espresso martini – the bold coffee flavor, the silky texture, the hint of sweetness – and wraps it in warm gingerbread spices.
Made with gingerbread syrup filled with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and clove, this cocktail feels like sipping your favorite Christmas cookie. It’s festive without being fussy and sophisticated while still feeling fun and seasonal.
This drink is ideal for anyone who loves holiday baking flavors but wants something a bit more grown-up and elegant to serve guests. It’s easy to shake up at home, uses simple ingredients, and still feels special enough for a holiday gathering.
Whether you’re hosting a cookie exchange, holiday dinner, or cozy winter game night, this Gingerbread Espresso Martini is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It bridges the gap between dessert and cocktail, making it a luxurious after-dinner drink or a celebratory sip for trimming the tree.
This cocktail’s sweet spices and bold coffee base make it incredibly versatile with holiday flavors. Pair it with foods that embrace warm spices, chocolate, or rich textures to complement the drink rather than overshadow it. Serve it with a plate of these Pecan Turtle Candies or Cranberry Shortbread Cookies for an extra special dessert.
Ingredients
- Cold brew coffee – Use an espresso roast coffee to make your own cold brew at home or buy some at the store. (Make sure it’s unflavored and unsweetened!)
- Vodka – I like using a plain vodka in this recipe so nothing takes away from the gingerbread flavor. I usually choose Tito’s brand vodka, but use whatever plain vodka you prefer.
- Gingerbread syrup – Make this syrup at home in 10 minutes with my Gingerbread Syrup recipe. It’s soooo much better than anything you can buy in the store!
- Coffee Liqueur – Choose your favorite brand. I keep Kaluha in the house, so that’s what I use.
- Aromatic Bitters – Angostura Bitters makes the gold standard in aromatic bitters. It’s a popular ingredient that can be found in most liquor stores or even in some large grocery stores. Look for it in the mixer section.
- Cinnamon, garnish – I like using a dusting of ground cinnamon to garnish this cocktail, but you could use ground nutmeg or ginger instead, if you prefer.
- Coffee beans, garnish – The traditional espresso martini garnish is 3 whole coffee beans centered in the cocktail’s foam. I stick with that here, but add them after the cinnamon has been dusted on.
How to Make a Gingerbread Espresso Martini
In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes, combine cold brew coffee, vodka, gingerbread syrup.
Add coffee liqueur, and aromatic bitters.
Gingerbread Espresso Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz cold brew coffee, NOT iced coffee
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz gingerbread syrup
- 0.25 oz coffee liqueur
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- 3 whole coffee beans, garnish
- cinnamon, garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes, combine cold brew coffee, vodka, gingerbread syrup, coffee liqueur, and aromatic bitters.2 oz cold brew coffee, 1.5 oz vodka, 1 oz gingerbread syrup, 0.25 oz coffee liqueur, 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Cover and shake very hard for 10-15 seconds. (The harder you shake, the better the foam on the top of your cocktail.)
- Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and top with three coffee beans set in the middle of the cocktail foam. Sip and enjoy!3 whole coffee beans, cinnamon
Make Your Own Gingerbread Syrup
With all the classic flavors and spices of baked gingerbread, my homemade gingerbread syrup is the key to true holiday flavor in this drink. Make your own at home in about 10 minutes using pantry ingredients. Gingerbread syrup lasts in the fridge for at least 2 weeks, so make it whenever you have time and have it ready when the mood strikes. Get my recipe and instructions over on my Gingerbread Syrup recipe page.
Looking for More Espresso Martinis?
Espresso martinis are super popular right now and super easy to make at home even if you don’t have an espresso machine. And because everyone deserves a delicious drink, I created a delicious non-alcoholic espresso martini using my quick 2 ingredient coffee syrup.
When to Serve a Gingerbread Espresso Martini
Serve this cocktail anytime you want to add a festive flourish to your winter celebrations. It’s perfect for holiday parties, Christmas Eve by the tree, or holiday dinners as a dessert drink or nightcap. Or serve it with Christmas morning brunch as an alternative to mimosas. Gift-wrapping sessions and cookie decorating can get a boost of energy from the espresso in this festive cocktail.
More Gingerbread Drink Recipes
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup only takes about 10 minutes to make, so why not find other ways to use it? Besides adding it to my morning cup of coffee, I love it in a Gingerbread Old Fashioned or a Gingerbread Martini after dinner. A creamy Gingerbread Mocktail is a great way to enjoy a classic Christmas flavor without the alcohol. Which one are you going to try first?
Don’t Miss These Christmas Cocktails
Whether you’re looking for a tart cocktail like a Cranberry Mule or Cranberry Orange Sour to go with savory dishes, or a sweet dessert cocktail like a Peppermint Mocha Martini or Sugar Cookie Martini for after dinner, I’ve got you covered.
