There is no greater tease than the espresso martini. Tall, sleek, and slender, the elegant glass is filled to the brim with dark amber liquid, topped with a velvety crown of foam. The very air around it seems to buzz with the aroma of roasted coffee. Should you succumb to temptation, you’ll get a jolt of caffeine, masking the intoxicating effects of the alcohol. Too boozy for breakfast but too stimulating for a nightcap, this classic cocktail remains firmly out of my reach when adhering to a rational schedule.

Odds Bar & Bistro – Decaf Espresso Martini

Surely, I can’t be the only one that wants to imbibe and still fall asleep at night. And yet, decaf coffee liqueur is simply not a thing. As one of three primary ingredients, this is a problem. There’s also the shot of straight espresso, but how hard is it to swap that for decaf in the first place? Really, it’s such an easy fix, it’s laughable.

When Is A Martini Not A Martini?

One thing that bothers me about the espresso martini, besides mixing uppers and downers, is that it really isn’t a martini at all. By definition, a martini is classically made with gin and dry vermouth, optionally garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Strong, dry, and served straight up in a chilled martini glass, it’s the consummate definition of elegance.

The only thing that the espresso martini shares, like many other variants that rely on additional flavorings and sweeteners bolstered by vodka, is the glass. This is important to clarify not to belittle the espresso martini, but to free ourselves of the pretense that it must contain x, y, or z. For the espresso martini, there are no rules aside from stemware.

Robust and Relaxing

Writing out a recipe for something so simple feels silly, but I know just as well as anyone that a good recipe doesn’t have to be ground-breaking, ambitious, or even terribly innovative. It has to be delicious, of course, foolproof, and something you’d want to make again and again. That’s the case for this cocktail, which could be cut down to as few as three real ingredients at its core.

That’s part of the appeal, too; something that can be whipped up on the fly, even when your liquor cabinet is mostly empty, when friends show up unannounced, or when you just need something to take the edge off, post haste. This is the one that I’m shaking out more often than not, so I think you might enjoy it, too.

Continue to Content

Yield: Makes 1 Serving

Sleepy Espresso Martini

Print

For those sensitive to caffeine, you can have your espresso martini, and sleep at night, too! A decaf version is much easier to make than you may think.

Prep Time 2 minutes

Total Time 2 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Ounces Strong Brewed Decaf Espresso
• 2 Ounces Vodka
• 1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar
• 2 - 3 Dashes Vegan Foamer* (Optional)
• Ice

Instructions

1. For this particular recipe, "strong" espresso means double strength. Use twice as many grounds or half as much water as you normally would; instant espresso plus water can work as well. Chill thoroughly before proceeding.
   
2. Combine the espresso, vodka, agave, and foamer (if using) in a cocktail shaker. Add a handful of ice and shake violently, like it owes you money.
   
3. Strain into a martini glass and spoon any remaining foam on top. Imbibe, early and often.

Notes

*Vegan foamers are plant-based alternative to egg whites. Popular brands include Ms. Better’s Bitters Miraculous Foamer and Fee Foam. Homemade alternatives include aquafaba and soy or pea protein, but all of these would need to be used in greater quantity, and may impact the overall flavor of the drink negatively. The foamer is COMPLETELY optional in this case, mostly for style points, if you want that frothy top layer that mimics the crema on a fresh espresso shot.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Mount Hagen, Organic Fairtrade Coffee, Instant, 3.53 oz (100 g)
• 
  Grey Goose Vodka, 750 ml, 80 Proof
• 
  Fee Brothers Fee Foam

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 132Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.