Get into the Christmas spirit this holiday season with this Peppermint Espresso Martini recipe! It’s an easy-to-make drink with the perfect combination of vodka, espresso, and peppermint. This festive martini is a must-try for coffee lovers and those who appreciate a modern twist on classic flavors.
Who doesn’t love a good, classic espresso martini?! It’s one of my favorite drinks to make. The classic cocktail is so versatile, and it’s easy to make delicious spin-offs and variations of the classic.
The flavor possibilities are endless – I have recipes for everything from a Hazelnut Espresso Martini to Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martinis. I even have a recipe for the viral Parmesan Cheese Espresso Martini (it’s actually quite good, IMO).
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy to make at home with minimal prep time. You don’t need to be a professional bartender to make a delicious Peppermint Espresso Martini. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a shaker.
- It’s a festive drink that’s perfect for the holidays. The peppermint flavor gives it a festive feel that’s fitting for this time of year.
- It’s versatile. It serves as a perfect after-dinner drink that can double as a dessert cocktail, offering a balance of sweetness from the Kahlúa and a minty freshness that can cleanse the palate.
Ingredient Notes
Coffee vodka: I love making espresso martinis with coffee vodka over regular vodka as it gives a more intense coffee flavor.
Peppermint vodka: I didn’t want to overpower the cocktail with too much mint flavor, so I went with a split base of peppermint vodka and coffee vodka for a better balance of flavors. If you don’t have peppermint vodka on hand, switch to coffee vodka only and add a touch of peppermint extract instead.
Espresso: Use a fresh shot of espresso when making an espresso martini – it’ll give you a nice foam top.
Coffee liqueur: I generally use Kahlua, which is super easy to find. If you want to try something else you can also try Mr. Black or Tia Maria.
Garnish: The typical garnish for this drink is 3 coffee beans on top of the foam, but I also included a mini candy cane draped over the rim of the glass.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the espresso and vodkas (coffee and peppermint) to an empty cocktail shaker.
Step 2: Add the coffee liqueur (Kahlúa) and ice to the shaker. Shake until well chilled – preferably at least 30 seconds.
Step 3: Stain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with coffee beans and/or a mini candy cane draped over the rim of your martini glass, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh espresso. It will give your cocktail the best flavor. I have some suggestions in the FAQ section about how to brew espresso without a machine.
- Chill your martini glasses. A chilled martini glass will help to keep your cocktail cold and refreshing. You can chill your glasses by placing them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Shake your cocktail vigorously. This will help to create a nice froth layer on top of your cocktail. Shake your cocktail for at least 15 seconds, preferably 30 seconds, or until it is well chilled.
- Enjoy immediately! A Peppermint Espresso Martini is best enjoyed immediately, while the foam is still fluffy.
- Add your ice cubes to the cocktail shaker after you add all of the ingredients to prevent excessive dilution.
Variations
- Want to make it sweeter? Add some simple syrup. Or, want to make it stronger? Add more espresso or vodka.
- Want a creamy cocktail? Add a touch of Baileys, some heavy cream, or a dash of festive-flavored coffee creamer.
- Add some chocolate syrup or liqueur to the shaker to make a Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini.
- Create a flavored rim. Simply, dip the rim into some vanilla frosting or melted white chocolate. Then, roll in crushed candy cane pieces. I did this with my Creamy Candy Cane Martini.
FAQ
The secret to a frothy martini lies in using freshly made, hot espresso and giving the cocktail a vigorous shake. The hot espresso extracts more flavor and combines with the alcohol to create a rich crema when shaken. Just make sure that you add the ice last to prevent too much ice melt.
The shaking action aerates the mixture, introducing tiny air bubbles that form a thick, stable foam. For an even frothier top, some bartenders add a small amount of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) or egg white before shaking, as these can help stabilize the foam.
There are plenty of ways to make espresso without a machine by using a Moka pot espresso maker (as many Italians do at home) or an Aeropress. You can also make a strong, concentrated brew in a French Press.
You can also use cold brew concentrate or instant espresso (although these may not provide as much foam as the other options).
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📖 Recipe
Peppermint Espresso Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce coffee vodka
- ½ ounce peppermint vodka
- 1 ounce espresso
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- Coffee beans and/or mini candy cane for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the coffee vodka, peppermint vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur to an empty cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until well chilled (preferably at least 30 seconds).
- Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with coffee beans and/or a mini candy cane, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh espresso. It will give your cocktail the best flavor and foam.
- Chill your martini glasses by placing them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before serving.
- Shake your cocktail vigorously to create a nice frothy top on your cocktail.
- Enjoy immediately – it is best enjoyed immediately, while the foam is still fluffy.
- Add your ice cubes to the cocktail shaker after you add all of the ingredients to prevent excessive dilution.
- Use a moka pot espresso maker (as many Italians do at home)
- Try using an Aeropress.
- Make a strong, concentrated brew in a French Press.
- Try using cold brew concentrate or instant espresso (although these may not provide as much foam as the other options).
Nutrition
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Ann
I love espresso martinis so much and this one was great!!