Want to enjoy this delicious classic cocktail but don’t have many ingredients on hand? No worries! This 3 Ingredient Espresso Martini is the right one for you, as it’s super simple and easy to make – perfect for any coffee lovers.
With every sip you will experience an inviting affair between your taste buds and this delicious cocktail.
Plus, since you don’t have to use Kahlua for this still traditional espresso martini, it’s also dairy-and gluten-free (just make sure to read the ingredients list when using flavored spirits!).
How to Make an Espresso Martini Without Kahlua – Incl. A List with Alternatives!
Simple Ingredients for this coffee cocktail:
- 1 1/2 oz (45 ml) vodka
- 1 oz (30 ml) freshly brewed espresso (chilled)
- 1/2 oz (15 ml) sweetener (like simple syrup, honey, etc.)
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Espresso beans or a coffee bean garnish
If you do want to add some form of coffee liquor to it, add about 1/2 oz (15 ml) coffee liqueur for this recipe – you can find an extensive list of different Kahlua alternatives below.
Alternative Ingredients:
- Vodka – Vanilla vodka, caramel vodka for a more unique flavor profile
- Sweetener – Agave nectar, honey syrup (mix honey with an equal amount of hot water and let it cool), maple syrup, or brown sugar syrup
- Espresso – Cold brew coffee, cold brew concentrate, instant espresso, or espresso liquor like Tia Maria
- Garnishes – Chocolate shavings, cocoa powder dusting, cinnamon stick, whipped cream, orange or lemon peel twist
How to Mix an Espresso Martini Without Kahlua
Step 1: Brew hot espresso and let it cool off to room temperature or put it in the fridge to speed up the chilling process – alternatively, you can also use cold brew espresso.
Step 2: While the shot is cooling off, place a martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill to create that perfect cocktail.
Step 3: Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice cubes to it, then add vodka, the chilled freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur, and sweetener to the shaker – then give it a good shake (yes, shake vigorously) for about 10-15 seconds so everything is chilled and properly mixed.
Note: That vigorous shaking is the part that will give you this frothy espresso martini as the oils from the coffee mix with the air bubbles.
Step 4: Take the chilled martini glass out of the freezer and strain the cocktail mixture into it – garnish with coffee beans or some chocolate shavings and enjoy!
Whether you’re wanting to enjoy this drink for a special occasion, the perfect after-dinner drink, or just because you’re a huge fan of coffee-flavored cocktails, this will be the one!
List of Coffee Liquors
- Kahlua (or Kahlúa)
- Tia Maria – Sweet coffee liquor with a hint of vanilla
- Baileys Irish Cream – Irish whiskey and cream combo with coffee notes
- Patrón XO Cafe – Tequila-based coffee liqueur with a smooth and rich coffee flavor
- Frangelico – Hazelnut liqueur, super tasty!
- Sabra – Coffee liqueur with a distinctive chocolate-orange flavor, made in Israel
- Mr. Black – The infamous “cold brew liqueur,” made with cold brew coffee and Australian wheat vodka
- Firelit Coffee liqueur – Cold brew coffee and brandy
- Carolans Irish Cream – Irish cream liqueur with coffee undertones
- Mozart Chocolate Liqueurs – Coffee-chocolate flavor blend
- Blackmaker Root Beer Coffee Liqueur – Combination of coffee and root beer flavors
Expert Tips for Classic Espresso Martini
- For the best taste, use fresh espresso whenever possible, that way you get that rich and bold coffee flavor – which you can make a few hours advance and leave it to chill in the fridge.
- If you don’t have time to make freshly brewed espresso straight from the espresso machine (chilled!), consider using espresso liquor like Tia Maria to get that coffee taste, though you may have to play around with the sweetener as this liqueur is pretty sweet on its own.
- When mixing, balance the coffee and alcohol flavors by adjusting the espresso, vodka, and coffee liquor proportions – experiment a bit to find the perfect balance for your taste.
- Experiment with different variations by trying different liqueurs, flavored vodkas, and sweeteners to find your fave!
- For a creamy espresso martini, consider adding bailey’s irish cream or vanilla ice cream as it will give you that creamy texture and vanilla flavor – alternatively, you can also use milk or plant-based milk, like almond milk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About This Classic Recipe
Have questions? We’ve got the answers for your favorite mixes!
What can you use instead of Kahlua in espresso martini?
You can use either a freshly brewed espresso (chilled), 1 tsp espresso powder, or 1 tsp instant coffee to get that coffee flavor without the liqueur.
What Italian liqueur for espresso martini?
For a traditionally Italian touch, use Amaro Averno or Kahlua to get that rich coffee flavor in your martini.
What makes an Espresso Martini dirty?
If you want to add a twist to your espresso martini, add some chai-infused vodka to it to get those dirty espresso martinis. To create your own, use 4 tbsp of your favorite chai blend and add it to a 500 ml bottle, then place it into a dark area for about 5+ days, while swirling it every once in a while – once done, give it a good shake and strain it into a clean bottle before you enjoy that delicious drink.
Espresso Martini Recipe Without Kahlua
Ingredients
Simple Ingredients for this coffee cocktail:
- 1 1/2 oz 45 ml vodka
- 1 oz 30 ml freshly brewed espresso (chilled)
- 1/2 oz 15 ml sweetener (like simple syrup, honey, etc.)
- Ice cubes
- Optional: Espresso beans or a coffee bean garnish
Instructions
- Brew hot espresso and let it cool off to room temperature or put it in the fridge to speed up the chilling process – alternatively, you can also use cold brew espresso.
- While the shot is cooling off, place a martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill to create that perfect cocktail.
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice cubes to it, then add vodka, the chilled freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur, and sweetener to the shaker – then give it a good shake (yes, shake vigorously) for about 10-15 seconds so everything is chilled and properly mixed.
- Take the chilled martini glass out of the freezer and strain the cocktail mixture into it – garnish with coffee beans or some chocolate shavings and enjoy!