Espresso Martini Recipes Made with Unusual Vodkas

The Espresso Martini is a modern classic cocktail that just continues to evolve, year after year. If you are looking for a new twist on this classic, we have pulled together three recipe variations that are delightful. 

The Upstate Mexican Espresso Martini, Barr Hill Espresso Martini Float and Kástra Elión Espresso Martini recipes below were skillfully created, but it’s the vodkas them that set them apart. 

Made with heritage ingredients, these vodkas provide an extraordinary base for this popular cocktail, differing greatly to those made with vodkas distilled from wheat, potatoes or grain. They include Kastra Elión – a Greek Vodka distilled from olives – Barr Hill, made from raw honey, and Upstate Vodka – a new label made entirely from New York State apples. 

Try one or try all three of these vodka-coffee-infused recipes at your next cocktail party and see which your guests prefer! 

Upstate Mexican Espresso Martini

Cocktail created by Ginn Choe, Veronika Bar by Fotografska

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Upstate Vodka

0.25 oz Simple Syrup (2:1)

0.5 oz Mr. Black or Other Coffee Liqueur

0.5 oz Ancho Reyes Chili Liqueur

1.0 oz Espresso or Concentrated Cold Brew

 

Glassware: Sour coupe

Garnish: 3 coffee or espresso beans

Method: Long shake for 20 seconds and double strain into sour coupe. Garnish with coffee/espresso beans. 

About Upstate Vodka

Upstate Vodka is a farm to bottle apple vodka made by hand in small batches in the hamlet of Charlotteville in Schoharie County, New York. Macerated, distilled, and bottled under one roof, each bottle contains 70-80 apples sourced from local orchards and farms. The result is a clean, smooth and slightly sweet vodka with a unique, light, crisp mouthfeel. Upstate Vodka is certified gluten free and kosher. 

Barr Hill Espresso Martini Float

Created by Barr Hill

Ingredients:

1.5oz Barr Hill Vodka

.5oz Creme de Cacao

1oz Cold Espresso

1 scoop Vanilla Ice Cream

Glassware: Rocks glass

Method: Mix Barr Hill Vodka, creme de cacao and cold espresso; shake with ice; strain over ice cream in a rocks glass and watch the ice cream “float” up; serve with a small spoon

About Barr Hill

Barr Hill is an award-winning, super-premium spirits brand made by the Montpelier, Vermont-based distillery, Caledonia Spirits. Barr Hill started in 2011 when Ryan Christiansen—now head distiller of Barr Hill—met beekeeper Todd Hardie who was using raw honey in his small production winery. A decade later and the duo’s evolved the winery to a bar and distillery spread across five acres, now producing America’s most awarded gin—all centered around honey. Barr Hill currently produces three spirits – Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Reserve Tom Cat Gin, and Barr Hill Vodka. 

Kástra Elión’s Espresso Martini

Created by Kástra Elión

Ingredients:

1.25 Kāstra Eliōn 

.75oz Premium Coffee Liqueur. Kástra recommends Mr Black.

.75 oz cold brew 

.25 simple syrup 

 

Glassware: Nick & Nora glass

Garnish: Espresso bean garnish

Method: Shake and double strain into Nick & Nora glass

About Kástra Elión

The name Kástra Elión comes from the Greek words for castle (kastro) and olives (elión, derivative of eliás). The ancient Nafpaktos castle stands as guardian to the region’s hills and olive groves and is the brand’s ancestral home, protecting the rich heritage of the city below. The olives, or elión, are an enduring symbol of peace and abundance, and are deeply intertwined with Greek culture and iconic mythology. Kástra Elión, a family-owned brand, is the original premium sipping vodka distilled with Greek olives.

Cheers!

Please drink responsibly.

 

Feature photo credit: Bill Brady