Vanilla Espresso Martini
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 15.3% ABV ∙
The Vanilla Espresso Martini is a vanilla-vodka twist on the Espresso Martini, shaken with espresso, coffee liqueur and vanilla syrup.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Vanilla vodka 45 mlEspresso coffee 30 mlCrème de Café liqueur 20 mlVanilla syrup 5 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with three coffee beans
Tips
- Shake hard over plenty of ice for a full 30–60 seconds; that long shake is what puts the frothy crema on top.
- Pull the espresso fresh and shake it while still hot; a shaker full of ice takes care of the heat.
- Keep the vanilla syrup to 5 ml; the coffee liqueur already sweetens, and more syrup buries the espresso.
History
The Vanilla Espresso Martini is a modern flavored variation on the Espresso Martini, the vodka-and-coffee cocktail most widely credited to bartender Dick Bradsell in 1980s London. No single creator or first date is documented for the vanilla version. It circulates as a sweeter, dessert-leaning take on the original, made with vanilla vodka, by adding vanilla syrup to the standard vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur, or, as here, with both.
FAQ
How do you make a vanilla espresso martini?
Shake vanilla vodka, hot espresso, crème de café and vanilla syrup hard with ice, then fine-strain into a chilled martini glass and finish with three coffee beans.
Is vanilla vodka good for an espresso martini?
Yes. Vanilla vodka adds a soft sweetness that suits coffee; this recipe uses it as the base spirit and backs it up with just 5 ml of vanilla syrup.
Is a vanilla espresso martini shaken or stirred?
Shaken. Stirring cannot produce the foamy cap that a hard shake with ice builds from the espresso.
What glass is a vanilla espresso martini served in?
A chilled martini glass, served straight up without ice, so the pale foam and the coffee beans sit on top.
