10 Boozy Alternatives To An Espresso Martini [COCKTAIL TIME]

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated since its original publication date. (2024)

Who doesn’t love an Espresso Martini? Energize your cocktails and warm up or cool down with delicious and easy recipes, featuring your favorite spirit and splash of espresso. Check out some espresso cocktail recipes below. From Whiskey Cold Brew to a Vodka Night Cap, there’s something for all espresso and caffeine fanatics! 

Super Espresso

Ingredients:

•  1 1⁄4 oz Super Punch Jannamico

•  2 1⁄2 oz Espresso coffee

•  1 oz fresh cream

Heat the espresso with Super Punch; do not boil. Pour into glass and top with cooled cream; serve hot.

Varnelli Moretta

Ingredients:

• 1 oz espresso 

• ¹⁄³ oz Varnelli 

• ½ oz Varnelli Punch Fantasia

• ½ oz Italian brandy 

Pour all the ingredients in a small pot or in a hot drink glass and heat by steam wand.

A PROPER Coffee

Created by Sonny Verdini, Bar Manager, TRADE (Boston, MA) 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

• 1.5oz Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur

• 1oz Mandarine Napoleon

• .5oz Benedictine

Shake/Strain into a Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with hand-whipped cream and coffee beans. 

 

PROPER Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

• 4 parts Cold Coffee

• Milk or creamer of choice

• Sweetener of choice

Fill glass with ice.  Add Proper No. Twelve and cold coffee. Add creamer and sweetener to taste. Stir to combine.

 

PROPER Irish Coffee

Created by Lucas Robinson, Corporate Beverage Director Catch Hospitality, Catch Steak (NYC)

Ingredients:

•  1.25oz Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey

• .5oz Ancho Reyes

• .25oz Giffard Crème de Cacao

• .25oz 2:1 Demerara Syrup

• 3.5oz Coffee

Build in snifter, stir all ingredients, top with whipped cream and garnish with grated nutmeg and pocky stick

 

Tanteo Chipotle Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tanteo Chipotle Tequila

• 5 oz. Espresso

• 1/2 teaspoon Granulated White Sugar

• 1 Teaspoon Brown Sugar

• Whipped cream for topping

Add fresh coffee to glass, stir in white and brown sugar until dissolved. Add Tanteo Chipotle Tequila and stir. Top with whipped cream.

 

CHV Night Cap

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka

• 1 oz. Chilled Espresso

• 1⁄2 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 1⁄4 oz. Simple Syrup

Add Crystal Head Vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously over ice for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with grated dark chocolate and 3 espresso beans.

 

Starward Cold Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Starward Two-Fold Whisky 

• 2 oz Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur

• 1 dash Orange Bitters

Combine all in a mixing glass with ice and stir until very cold. Serve in a rocks glass over 1 large rock with orange zest.

 

Black Coffee In Bed 

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Nocello Toschi

• 1 Espresso Coffee

• 2 Dashes of Whipped Cream.

Warm with steam valve and serve with whipped cream on top.

 

N/A Espresso Alternative 

Herbal Stimulant

Ingredients:

• 2 fl oz Three Spirit Social Elixir

• 1 fl oz espresso strength coffee

• 1 1/2 bar spoons of maple syrup

• Optional extra: 1/2 fl oz dark rum

Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker or a mason jar. Shake HARD until ice-cold and strain through a tea strainer into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grated raw cocoa beans.

Cheers!

 

Please drink responsibly.