Espresso Daiquiri
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 17.5% ABV ∙
The Espresso Daiquiri is a caffeinated twist on the classic sour, shaken with light gold rum, freshly brewed espresso, and simple syrup, served up. Rich, bittersweet coffee leads the palate, backed by a warm sugarcane backbone and a balanced touch of sweetness sitting under a dense, velvety foam.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Light gold rum 45 mlEspresso coffee 30 mlSugar syrup 10 mlSaline solution 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with three coffee beans floated in a petal formation in the center of the cocktail’s foamy head
Tips
- Use freshly brewed hot espresso — the heat and pressure build the foamy crema head when you shake hard with ice.
- Shake sharply for 10-15 seconds, then fine-strain to catch coffee grounds and keep the surface clean for the beans.
- A pinch of saline or a couple drops of salt solution rounds off the espresso's bitter edge without adding salt flavor.
- Float three coffee beans in a petal formation on the foam once the drink has settled.
History
The Espresso Daiquiri emerged during the 21st-century craft cocktail revival as a rum-based riff on the Espresso Martini, a template originally established in London in the 1980s. Its structure traces back to the classic Cuban Daiquiri of rum, lime, and sugar, first recorded around 1900.
FAQ
What is an Espresso Daiquiri made of?
An Espresso Daiquiri is made with light gold rum, freshly brewed hot espresso, and sugar syrup, shaken with ice and fine-strained into a coupe. Unlike an Espresso Martini, this build uses no coffee liqueur, relying on the espresso and syrup for its coffee body and sweetness.
Is an Espresso Daiquiri shaken or stirred?
Shaken. Shaking hard with ice chills and dilutes the drink while whipping the hot espresso into the signature foamy head. Fine-strain it afterward to remove coffee grounds and ice shards for a clean surface to float the beans on.
What glass is an Espresso Daiquiri served in?
An Espresso Daiquiri is served up in a chilled coupe glass, garnished with three coffee beans floated on the foam. Pre-chilling the glass keeps the drink cold, since it is served without ice.
How is an Espresso Daiquiri different from an Espresso Martini?
An Espresso Daiquiri uses rum and relies on espresso plus sugar syrup for its coffee character, while an Espresso Martini uses vodka and coffee liqueur. The result is lower in alcohol, drier, and more directly espresso-forward.
What alcohol goes best with espresso?
Rum, vodka, and coffee liqueur are the most common spirits paired with espresso. This drink uses light gold rum, whose light molasses character complements the coffee without overpowering it, while vodka and coffee liqueur define the classic Espresso Martini.
