Amaretto Espresso Martini
This amaretto espresso martini is smooth, nutty, and lightly sweet, with a fresh coffee kick and a creamy foam top. It is a simple shaken cocktail for after dinner, holiday parties, or any night that calls for a coffee-l
- Total time
- 8 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 8mCook 0mItalian-inspiredDrinks
An amaretto espresso martini takes the classic espresso martini in a softer, almond-scented direction. The amaretto adds warmth and sweetness, so you do not need much extra sugar, if any.
The key is using real espresso or very strong coffee, then chilling it before shaking. Hot espresso melts the ice too quickly and can make the drink taste thin.
Shake hard for a short time. That is what gives the cocktail its silky foam, which is the frothy layer on top of a well-made espresso martini.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce amaretto liqueur
- 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso, cooled
- 1 cup ice, for shaking
- 3 coffee beans, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes. A cold glass keeps the drink crisp and helps the foam last longer.
2. Cool the espresso
Brew 1 ounce of espresso, then let it cool to room temperature or chill it in the refrigerator. If you are in a hurry, set the espresso cup in a small bowl of ice water for a few minutes.
3. Fill the shaker
Add the vodka, amaretto, coffee liqueur, and cooled espresso to a cocktail shaker. Add the ice last so the drink does not start diluting too early.
4. Shake hard
Seal the shaker and shake firmly for 15 to 20 seconds. You want the outside of the shaker to feel very cold. This hard shake chills the cocktail and creates the foamy top.
5. Strain the drink
Strain the cocktail into the chilled glass. If you have a fine-mesh strainer, use it along with the shaker strainer to catch tiny ice chips.
6. Garnish and serve
Float 3 coffee beans on top, if using. Serve right away while the drink is cold and the foam is fresh.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Brew the espresso up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Do not shake the full cocktail ahead, because the foam fades quickly.
- No espresso machine: Use 1 ounce cold brew concentrate or very strong brewed coffee. Regular drip coffee will taste weaker, so brew it extra strong if you can.
- Sweetness swap: This recipe is lightly sweet from the amaretto and coffee liqueur. If you like a sweeter drink, add 1/4 ounce simple syrup before shaking.
- Vodka swap: Vanilla vodka works well, but it will make the drink taste sweeter. Use the same amount.
- Amaretto note: Different brands vary in sweetness and almond flavor. If yours is very sweet, reduce the coffee liqueur to 1/4 ounce.
- Foam troubleshooting: Use cooled espresso and shake hard with plenty of ice. Warm coffee and a gentle shake are the most common reasons the foam is thin.
Cook's note
This cocktail contains alcohol and caffeine. Serve it to adults of legal drinking age, and keep the late-day caffeine in mind if you are sensitive to coffee.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make an amaretto espresso martini without coffee liqueur?
Yes. Replace the 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur with 1/2 ounce more cooled espresso for a stronger coffee flavor, or use 1/4 ounce simple syrup if you still want sweetness.
Why did my espresso martini not get foamy?
The espresso may have been too hot, or the drink may not have been shaken hard enough. Use cooled espresso, fill the shaker with plenty of ice, and shake until the shaker feels frosty.
Can I batch this for a party?
You can mix the vodka, amaretto, coffee liqueur, and cooled espresso in a pitcher and chill it for a few hours. Shake each serving with ice just before pouring so each glass gets a fresh foam top.
What glass should I use?
A coupe or martini glass is traditional. A small rocks glass also works if that is what you have.
Is this drink very sweet?
It is moderately sweet because amaretto is a sweet almond liqueur. For a drier cocktail, reduce the amaretto to 3/4 ounce and use 1 3/4 ounces vodka.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium2 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate23 g
- 8%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars23 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium2 mg
- 0%
- Iron0.1 mg
- 1%
- Potassium45 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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