This post is all about how to make a delicious frothy and dairy-free espresso martini. It’s simple, classic, and consistently creamy without any milk!
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What makes a good espresso martini anyways?
For me, a good espresso martini is the perfect combo of sweet, bitter, and frothy. I love the flavor of espresso and coffee, so it’s important that isn’t lost in the martini. Otherwise, why would you even have an espresso martini?
Unique espresso martinis are fun, but it’s nice to have a classic recipe on hand for hosting (or just for yourself). The most important part of a good espresso martini is, you guessed it, quality espresso.
It’s also quite important to have a good quality vodka on hand. You don’t need to go crazy with this because a lot of the vodka is covered by the espresso. We use Costco vodka for ours & it’s totally fine. Something like Grey Goose is not necessary, but you also don’t want to pick up a bottle of Fleischmann’s.
What kind of espresso do you need?
We use our Nespresso for our martinis. It’s unmatched for coffee & espresso. When we made the switch from Keurig my life was changed. Keurig coffee just tastes burnt and watery now.
Okay Keurig rant over. The Nespresso machine we have works amazing for the martinis, and doesn’t require the knowledge that a more elaborate espresso maker does. Personally, I think the Nespresso is all you need here!
If you don’t have an espresso machine, you could always go grab a couple shots of espresso from a local coffee shop. It won’t quite be the same though. The problem with this is the martini won’t aerate as much. Some people make espresso martinis with cold espresso, but I personally am not a fan. When it’s hot and fresh, it dilutes the drink perfectly and adds more creamy frothiness without added milk.
Can you use coffee instead of espresso for an espresso martini?
Short answer, no. You could make a coffee cocktail of sorts, but an espresso martini (a real one) must use espresso. You get the added coffee flavor from other ingredients, but you have to use espresso.
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What do you need to create a dairy-free espresso martini?
1. Espresso Machine
Nespresso machine. All day. Every day. You won’t regret it.
2. Bar Set
We use this one from amazon. I like it a lot for the loads of stuff you get with the set. It has basically everything you could need for a craft cocktail.
3. Glassware
Using a martini glass or coupe glass is a necessity. We love to use our favorite crystal glasses for this drink. They’re showstoppers, honestly. If you can’t tell, we have a bit of an obsession with glassware in our house. If you think about it though, you eat/drink with your eyes first, so I think it’s important that the presentation of any drink is perfect.
These glasses are on the pricier side, but the details are unmatched. They come in the most beautiful package, they have the thinnest lip, and the tear drop detail at the base is so beautiful. (I have a picture of this glassware below!) We get compliments on these any time we serve guests’ drinks in them.
Here are a few other glasses I like that are on the more affordable side!
- The martini glasses from Target are insanely affordable.
- These coupe glasses from Walmart.
- I like these crystal martini glasses from Amazon for a middle of the road price.
Dairy-Free Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 1.35 (1) ounce freshly brewed espresso Nespresso single pods brew 1.35 ounces. Around 1 ounce is fine.
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur I use Kahlúa. Whatever you select should be dairy-free, but double check.
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3 espresso beans
Instructions
- Add espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for 20 seconds or until well-chilled.
- Strain into a martini glass. Allow for foam to rise and stabilize before garnishing.
- Garnish with 3 espresso beans.
[…] Espresso Martinis: What’s breakfast without coffee? We’re making it an evening coffee with this frothy and dairy-free espresso recipe. Check it out here. […]