• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Garnish with Lemon logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • How To's
  • FAQs
  • Our Story
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • Story Archives
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Drinks » Vodka

    Updated: Jun 4, 2025 · Published: Nov 12, 2021 by Lisa · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Kahlua Espresso Martini

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Coupe glass filled with martini.
    glass shaker with foamy coffee.
    coupe glasses filled with espresso martini.
    Single glass with coffee martini.

    Rich, velvety and filled with coffee and Kahlúa, this Espresso Martini recipe is a smooth sipper that needs to be added to your after-dinner drink repertoire. 

    Two espresso martinis in glasses on a brown board with navy napkin.

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

    It’s party season and that means we are shaking up cocktails!

    If you are a long-time Garnish with Lemon reader, you know that we love to drink our dessert, so it should come as no surprise that this Espresso Martini is one of our new favorite ways to enjoy our sweets. One sip and you will understand what separates this cocktail recipe from the rest of the coffee martinis you may see.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • FAQs
    • How to Make the Best Coffee Martinis
    • More Dessert Drinks
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    ingredients needed for kahlua espresso martini.

    Pro Tip: The secret to making an absolutely killer martini cocktail is simple but vital to your success: Use quality ingredients! Quality ingredients = the best martini!

    A close up of martini, with Coffee and Espresso.

    Instructions

    It only takes a few steps and a lot of shaking to make this dessert drink.

    Hand pouring liquor into mason jar.

    Fill shaker with a little bit of ice. Add coffee, Kahlua, and créme de cacao to shaker.

    Hand pouring liquor into mason jar and shaken martini in jar.

    Add vanilla vodka and shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds to chill drink and create froth.

    Pour contents of shaker into a glass and serve immediately. The longer the drink sits, the more the foam will dissipate.

    Single Espresso martini with chocolate covered espresso beans and coffee beans for garnish on a dark background.

    FAQs

    What is the difference between espresso and coffee?

    The difference between espresso and coffee basically comes down to how they are brewed.

    An espresso has to be made in an espresso machine and is made by forcing water through fine, compact coffee grounds thus creating a layer of espresso and a layer of froth. Espresso is stronger and can have a slightly bitter flavor.

    Coffee is made by pouring water over coffee grounds. Since the water spends more time with the coffee grounds, the grind of the beans is coarser but the end result is a smoother drink.

    I don’t have espresso. Can I use regular brewed coffee in this cocktail?

    Absolutely! Most people don't have an espresso machine but you will still get the foamy top with brewed coffee. You can even use cold brew from a can. Whatever you choose to use, it will still be delicious!

    Can I make this cocktail recipe with decaf coffee?

    You sure can!

    Worried that the caffeine will keep you awake? Don’t stress, you can easily make this with decaf coffee as well. Just remember to use a quality brew that is your favorite. The flavor will shine through so you don’t want to use something you wouldn’t drink alone.

    And - AGAIN - don’t try and use instant coffee. It just doesn’t work.

    A martini on a table, with napkin and Garnish.

    How to Make the Best Coffee Martinis

    The froth is created when you shake the ingredients over ice in a shaker. Here are some tips for the best froth:

    • If you want to mix them ahead of time combine the ingredients together in a mason jar without ice and chill until ready to shake and serve.
    • Use ice from the freezer, not an ice bucket and only fill the shaker half full of ice. The less water there is, the more foam there will be.
    • Shake cocktail vigorously for a full 30-60 seconds to get maximum foam.
    • Serve immediately. The longer the shaker sits, the more the froth will dissipate.
    Mason jar filled with frothy espresso martini and strainer on top with an empty martini glass in the background.

    More Dessert Drinks

    Why buy eggnog when you can make the best Homemade Egg Nog yourself?

    • Two glasses of Kir Royale cocktail garnished with blackberries.
      Kir Royale
    • square image of kahlua chocolate martini
      Kahlúa Chocolate Martini
    • martini being poured into chocolate swirled glass.
      Chocolate Martini
    • Kahlua White Russian in lowball glass with ice.
      Kahlúa White Russian

    Check out all of our Liqueur Drinks!

    
    
    Did you make this recipe? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 
    
    Please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps us and your fellow readers! 
    
    
    

    Recipe

    coupe glass filled with coffee drink with espresso beans.

    Kahlua Espresso Martini

    Garnish With Lemon
    Rich and velvety, this Kahlua Espresso Martini recipe filled with coffee and chocolate flavors makes a fabulous after-dinner drink.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Liqueurs
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 299 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Martini Glass
    • Mini Measuring Beaker Set

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ ounces Kahlua
    • 1 ounce créme de cacao
    • 1 ounce vanilla vodka
    • 2 ounces brewed coffee or espresso cooled

    Want to save this recipe?

    Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.

    Instructions
     

    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
    • Add all ingredients
      1 ½ ounces Kahlua, 1 ounce créme de cacao, 1 ounce vanilla vodka, 2 ounces brewed coffee or espresso
    • Shake vigorously for 30-60 seconds to combine.
    • Strain into stemmed glass and serve immediately.

    Notes

    The froth is created when you shake the ingredients in a shaker. Here are some tips for the best froth:
    • If you want to mix them ahead of time combine the ingredients together in a mason jar without ice and chill until ready to shake and serve.
    • Use ice from the freezer, not an ice bucket, and only fill the shaker half full of ice. The less water there is, the more foam there will be.
    • Shake cocktail vigorously for a full 30-60 seconds to get maximum foam.
    • Serve immediately. The longer the shaker sits, the more the froth will dissipate.

    VIDEO

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5.5ouncesCalories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 28gSodium: 10mgSugar: 28g

    Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Did you make this recipe?Tag us on Instagram or leave a comment!
    « Biscoff Cheesecake
    Spiked Hot Chocolate »

    About Lisa

    Hi, I’m Lisa! Looking for the party? It’s probably at my house. Nothing brings me more joy than sharing good food with friends and family. That and a seriously good cocktail.

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

    Rate the Recipe, Leave a Comment or Share a Tip! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    MEET LISA AND ANNA

    We're the creative juices behind Garnish with Lemon. In the past 10 years, millions of people have sipped & snacked on our recipes. Need easy, delicious party food and drinks for your next shindig? You’ve come to the right place.

    OUR STORY

    Popular Posts

    • Coconut lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar on dark sheet pan.
      Coconut Lemon Bars
    • bacon wrapped bites on a plate with toothpick.
      Easy Bacon Bites
    • green olive dip in bowl.
      Green Olive Dip
    • layered dip on platter.
      Layered Greek Dip
    • Molten chocolate lava cake with oozing center on dark plate.
      Easy Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes
    • drink in glass
      Greyhound Cocktail

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Bacon wrapped smokies with toothpicks on a cream plate.
      Bacon Wrapped Smokies
    • lasagna in white baking dish.
      No Boil Lasagna
    • Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    • Broccoli Cheddar Soup in instant pot.
      Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • mixed green salad in bowl.
      Apple, Blue Cheese and Candied Walnut Salad
    • Salty Dog in low ball glass.
      Sparkling Salty Dog

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy/Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Garnish with Lemon Copyright © 2025

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.