Espresso Eggnog Martini
Creamy eggnog meets bold espresso in this holiday-ready martini. It is smooth, lightly sweet, and easy to shake for two after dinner drinks.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 2 cocktails
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mAmericanDrinks
An espresso eggnog martini is what happens when a holiday dessert drink and an espresso martini share the same shaker. The eggnog brings creaminess and warm spice, while espresso keeps the drink from tasting too heavy.
This version uses vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and prepared eggnog. Prepared eggnog means the bottled or carton kind from the store, which is usually pasteurized and ready to drink.
Serve it very cold in martini or coupe glasses. A light dusting of nutmeg on top makes it feel festive without adding extra work.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 2 cocktails
- 4 ounces prepared eggnog, well chilled
- 3 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- 2 ounces freshly brewed espresso, cooled completely
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups ice, for shaking
- Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glasses
Place 2 martini or coupe glasses in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. Cold glasses help the drink stay frosty longer.
2. Cool the espresso
Brew the espresso, then let it cool completely. To speed this up, set the espresso cup in a small bowl of ice water. Do not add hot espresso to the shaker, or it will melt the ice too quickly.
3. Fill the shaker
Add the chilled eggnog, vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso, and vanilla extract to a cocktail shaker.
4. Add the ice
Fill the shaker with about 2 cups of ice. The shaker should feel full but still have room for the liquid to move.
5. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker tightly and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds. Shaking chills the drink and gives it a light, creamy foam on top.
6. Strain the cocktails
Remove the chilled glasses from the freezer. Strain the cocktail evenly into the 2 glasses, holding back the ice.
7. Garnish and serve
Grate a small pinch of nutmeg over each drink. Serve right away while the martinis are cold and lightly foamy.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead tip: Brew the espresso up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it. You can also measure the eggnog, vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and vanilla into a jar and chill for up to 24 hours. Shake with ice just before serving.
- Storage: A shaken martini is best served right away. If you have extra mixed cocktail that has not been shaken with ice, cover and refrigerate it for up to 1 day. Stir before shaking because eggnog can settle.
- Espresso swap: Use 2 ounces strong cold brew concentrate if you do not have an espresso machine. Regular brewed coffee is usually too light unless it is brewed very strong.
- Liquor swaps: Bourbon or dark rum can replace the vodka for a warmer flavor. Use the same amount. The drink will taste a little sweeter and richer with rum.
- Dairy-free option: Use a chilled dairy-free eggnog. Oat-based versions usually give the creamiest texture. Shake well because plant-based nogs can separate in the carton.
- Sweetness control: Coffee liqueur is sweet, and eggnog is sweet too. If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the coffee liqueur to 1 1/2 ounces and add 1/2 ounce more vodka or espresso.
Cook's note
Nutrition is calculated per cocktail using prepared dairy eggnog, 80-proof vodka, coffee liqueur, brewed espresso, and vanilla extract. The small nutmeg garnish is included only as a negligible garnish, so values may vary slightly by brand of eggnog and liqueur.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make an espresso eggnog martini without an espresso machine?
Yes. Use strong cold brew concentrate or very strong brewed coffee that has been cooled. Espresso gives the boldest flavor, but cold brew concentrate is the easiest substitute.
Can I use homemade eggnog?
Yes, as long as it is safe to drink and well chilled. If your homemade eggnog contains raw eggs, use pasteurized eggs and keep the drink refrigerated until serving.
Why did my cocktail taste watery?
The espresso was probably too warm, or the drink sat too long after shaking. Cool the espresso fully, shake quickly with plenty of ice, and serve the martini right away.
Can I make this less strong?
Yes. Use 2 ounces vodka instead of 3 ounces for the full recipe, or add an extra ounce or two of eggnog. The drink will be creamier and lower in alcohol.
What glass should I use?
A martini glass or coupe is traditional, but any small stemmed glass works. A stem helps keep your hand from warming the cocktail.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
2 cocktails
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat3 g
- 4%
- Saturated Fat2 g
- 10%
- Cholesterol36 mg
- 12%
- Sodium42 mg
- 2%
- Total Carbohydrate20 g
- 7%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars20 g
- Protein3 g
- 6%
- Vitamin D0.6 mcg
- 3%
- Calcium81 mg
- 6%
- Iron0.2 mg
- 1%
- Potassium135 mg
- 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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