How to Make an Espresso Martini at Home — UK Recipe
The espresso martini has become one of the UK's most beloved cocktails — and for good reason. It's the perfect marriage of two great loves: coffee and a well-made drink. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, celebrating the end of a long week, or just fancy something a little special with your evening coffee, mastering the espresso martini at home is a genuinely useful skill.
The good news? You don't need a cocktail shaker full of obscure ingredients or a barista diploma. With a decent espresso setup, four simple ingredients, and a bit of practice, you'll be turning out silky, foamy espresso martinis that rival any London bar. Here's exactly how to do it.
What Is an Espresso Martini?
Despite its name, the espresso martini isn't actually a martini in the traditional sense — it's a coffee cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso. The drink was created in the 1980s by London bartender Dick Bradsell, who legend has it was asked by a customer (reportedly a supermodel) for something that would "wake me up and f*** me up." The result was a drink that combined vodka with fresh espresso, and the espresso martini was born.
Today, it's a staple on cocktail menus across the UK, from trendy Shoreditch bars to your local gastropub. It's also surprisingly easy to make at home — and often better, because you control the quality of the coffee.
What You'll Need: Equipment
The key to a great espresso martini is, unsurprisingly, great espresso. Here's what you'll need to pull it off at home.
☕ A Way to Make Espresso
A bean-to-cup machine like the Philips 3300 Series with LatteGo makes this incredibly easy — fresh espresso at the push of a button. If you're on a tighter budget, an AeroPress Original with a fine grind produces a concentrated coffee that works beautifully in cocktails.
⚖️ A Coffee Scale
Consistency matters in cocktails. A coffee scale with timer lets you measure your espresso shot precisely and time your extraction, so every martini tastes the same as the last.
🫘 Fresh Coffee Beans
Don't use stale pre-ground coffee for your espresso martini — it makes all the difference. A medium-dark roast like Lavazza Caffè Decaffeinato Beans (or a regular roast of your choice) gives you the rich crema and bold flavour the drink needs. If you're serving these in the evening, decaf beans work brilliantly — you get the flavour without lying awake at 2am.
🍸 A Cocktail Shaker
A standard cocktail shaker is ideal, but a clean jam jar with a tight lid works just as well. The key is being able to shake vigorously without leaks — a good seal is non-negotiable.
Ingredients
The espresso martini only needs four ingredients. Here's the classic UK recipe for one drink:
- 50ml vodka — use a decent mid-range brand; it doesn't need to be top-shelf, but don't use the cheapest bottle either
- 35ml coffee liqueur — Kahlúa is the classic choice, but Tia Maria works well too
- 1 double shot of espresso (approx 35-40ml) — freshly pulled, hot, with a good crema
- Ice — large cubes are best; they dilute less
- 3 coffee beans — for garnish (traditionally representing health, wealth, and happiness)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Chill Your Glass
Pop a Martini glass or coupe in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before you start. A cold glass keeps the drink colder for longer and helps maintain that signature foamy head.
Step 2: Brew Your Espresso
Pull a fresh double shot of espresso. If you're using a Philips 3300 Series machine, simply select the espresso setting and let it do its thing. The espresso should be hot when it goes into the shaker — this is important because the heat helps create that silky foam when you shake. Aim for about 35-40ml.
Step 3: Combine in Your Shaker
Fill your shaker or jar about halfway with ice. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and the hot espresso. The combination of hot coffee and cold ice creates the temperature shock that builds the foam.
Step 4: Shake Vigorously
This is the most important step. Seal the shaker and shake as hard as you can for at least 15-20 seconds. You're not just combining ingredients — you're aerating the coffee to create that thick, creamy foam that sits on top of a great espresso martini. You'll hear the sound change as the ice dilutes the drink and the foam develops.
Step 5: Strain and Serve
Strain immediately into your chilled glass. You should see a thick layer of foam on top — that's the sign of a well-made espresso martini. Garnish with three coffee beans placed in the centre of the foam, and serve straight away. The foam settles and disappears within a minute or two, so don't hang about.
Tips for the Perfect Espresso Martini
Use hot espresso. This is the most common mistake. Cold espresso won't create the foam. The hot coffee hitting cold ice creates the aeration that gives you that beautiful crema-like head.
Fresh beans matter. The espresso is the star of this drink — stale coffee makes a flat, bitter martini. If you're using a bean-to-cup machine, grind fresh for each drink. A Timemore Chestnut C2 hand grinder is a great option if you're using an AeroPress or a manual espresso setup.
Don't over-dilute. 15-20 seconds of shaking is enough. Too long and the ice melts too much, watering down the drink. Use large ice cubes if you can — they melt more slowly.
Scale up carefully. Making a batch for friends? The ratio stays the same: 50ml vodka, 35ml coffee liqueur, one double shot of espresso per drink. But shake individual servings rather than a giant batch — each one gets fresh aeration that way.
Try it with decaf. If you're making after-dinner drinks, decaf espresso beans are a game-changer. You get the full coffee flavour and gorgeous crema without the caffeine keeping everyone up until 3am.
Frequently Asked Questions
Products Mentioned in This Guide
- Philips 3300 Series EP3347/90 with LatteGo — bean-to-cup espresso machine
- AeroPress Original — alternative espresso-style coffee maker
- Coffee Scale with Timer — for precise measurements
- Timemore Chestnut C2 Manual Coffee Grinder — for fresh-ground beans
- Lavazza Caffè Decaffeinato Coffee Beans — decaf option for evening serves
Read our full best bean-to-cup coffee machines guide for more espresso machine recommendations, or check out our essential coffee accessories guide for the gear you need to build your home setup.
Sam Roberts writes about coffee machines, beans and brewing gear for Coffee Nerds.
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