Whether you’re a cocktail entrepreneur or simply looking to add some ready-made zing to your menu, you can’t go wrong with the iconic chocolate espresso martini. We apparently owe the espresso martini blend to the British drinks guru, Dick Bradsell, who put it together in the 80s to “wake up” one of his customers as requested. Today, it’s made a comeback as the sophisticated drink to take you to new levels. But how many ways can you combine coffee, chocolate and alcohol? It turns out that there are many ways but you only need one special chocolate espresso martini recipe to stand out from the crowd.
What You Need to Concoct the Perfect Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipe
Everyone can gather ingredients but it’s how you blend them and serve them that makes the difference. It’s both art and chemistry with perhaps a twist of love thrown in. After all, the more you care about the chocolate espresso martini you’re making, the more your customers will feel valued. We all instinctively recognize a drink that comes served with care and attention. But there’s also a magic twist to add. Yes, you have the ingredients, the glass, the cheerful server but you also need the right tools. Use them with passion and your bar or restaurant will stand out as the only place to get the real chocolate espresso martini.
The Optimum Equipment
None of us is anyone without our tools. You need the right cocktail shaker that’s easy to hold as well as the perfect glass with all the trimmings. What about making your chocolate expresso martini truly exceptional by investing in either the DRNX Espresso Martini or DRNX BRW machine? The former can infuse nitro into any cocktail, coffee, tea or other drink you want to boost. The latter also brews the perfect coffee before infusing it with nitrogen. As we’ve mentioned, nitrogen adds a natural sweetness with the perfect foam. It also enhances the taste of the coffee and any other drink you mix. Those small nitrogen bubbles essentially push the oxygen out so that you don’t get any damaging oxidation. And no one wants a bitter cocktail or coffee.
Choosing the Right Alcohol Ratio
We all have different tastes and some people. Simply put, some people prefer sweet over dry when it comes to their martini. The chocolate obviously adds some sweetness but there’s a huge range in what people are looking for. The art of cocktails is to gather as much information from the customer before you embark on making their drink. For instance, a martini can be made with varying ratios from 2:1 and even up to 5:1 of vodka versus vermouth. The more vodka you add, the dryer it is. However, don’t forget that coffee and chocolate also have an impact. In addition, you don’t want to dilute the coffee taste by adding too much ice in your cocktail shaker.
Coffee Versus Espresso - Make it Work For You
The beauty of espresso is its strength both in terms of taste and the kick. Did you know that cold brew coffee gives you the same outcome? You can then easily mix it with chocolate liqueur to create your chocolate espresso martini and put it through a nitro infuser machine. The nitrogen will provide all the creamy finish you need.
Making the Best Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipe
We’ll show the classic way to make chocolate espresso martini but there are also many tricks to make it even more outstanding. For example, you can add some cinnamon powder or coconut juice for some extra exotic sweetness. Citrus and orange also go well with coffee and chocolate to add some extra zing. Most importantly, you want the perfect foam. You’ll soon see how a nitro infuser does that for better than any shaker can.
Ingredients: Find Your Best Proportions
And now for the crux of the matter. How much of everything gives the perfect taste? For clarity, these are US fluid ounces:
• 1.5 ounces of vodka
• 0.5 ounces of vermouth
• 1 ounce of espresso
• 1 ounce of coffee liqueur or Kahlua. You might also want to review Baileys coffee-flavored Irish cream made with espresso.
• 1 ounce chocolate liqueur, sometimes also known as creme de cacao
It’s worth also remembering that most of your V-shaped cocktail glasses hold 5 to 7 ounces. But you can also get those that hold 6 to 8 ounces and even up to 10 to 16 ounces. That last one is probably a bit too much for coffee but why not ask your customers directly? The more you partner with them and indulge in their favorite creamy espresso martini recipes, the more you’ll meet their needs and they’ll feel like they’re right at home. You can also use one of our premixes when listing out your ingredients and proportions. For example, you can simply add chocolate liqueur to our Espresso Martini Premix.
Alternatives for Ingredients
As we’ve mentioned, you can keep things simple by just mixing vodka with espresso, chocolate liqueur and coffee liqueur. It’s worth having a think about whether you want to include some brown sugar or cream. Some people do love their sweet tooth. Another marvel in the world of drinks and cocktails is to infuse them with nitrogen. Any bar can shake a cocktail mixer to produce a small slash of foam. But not everyone has a nitro infuser machine. For example, with our DRNX Espresso Martini Machine you’ll have a nice, thick and smooth foam for every drink. Most importantly, nitrogen adds a natural sweet taste so that your customers don’t have to worry about their sugar intake with your chocolate espresso martini.
How to Make a Chocolate Coffee Martini
There are two ways to make the perfect drink and we’ll show you both options.
First, you can use the classic cocktail shaker:
1- Prepare your espresso coffee with your normal coffee machine.
2- Set your hot espresso aside and put all the other ingredients into a shaker along with some ice.
3- Add the premade espresso last.
4- Shake vigorously for 10 minutes and serve.
Your second option for making a chocolate espresso martini is with a nitro infuser:
1- Mix and add all the ingredients in a jug or directly in the machine if you’re using a nitro cold brew coffee maker like DRNX BRW
2- Press the button and the machine will do the mixing and add the perfect foam for you.
3- Add your garnish and serve.
Should you Serve Hot or Cold?
Most people like their chocolate espresso martini served cold but if it’s a particularly cold day, some customers might prefer it served hot. The choice is quite simply, theirs. If you do want to serve it cold, make sure you give your espresso time to cool down. Otherwise, you’ll be serving a tepid drink that no one wants. That’s another reason the nitro infuser is so effective. The cold brew does the job you need for a cold drink. All you need to do is to gather the ingredients.
How Much Sweetness?
The chocolate in a chocolate coffee martini already gives you a sweet finish. If you then add other sweeteners, you’ll be appealing to dessert lovers. Some people are just looking for the coffee kick with a twist but without too much bitterness. That’s the beauty of a nitro infuser. It naturally removes the bitterness of a coffee while boosting its aromas. You don’t need to add anything to sweeten the taste. But it won’t be overly sweet if you do it for those who like more sugar. It’s that versatile.
Can You Make a Non-alcoholic Chocolate Coffee Martini?
Alcohol is not always the answer. Mocktails make equally tantalizing experiences and there are many ways to make a chocolate espresso martini mocktail. You still need your espresso or cold brew as your base but after that, it’s a question of mixing in the right syrups. You can come up with your own signature version but a good place to start is with vanilla, caramel, cinnamon and cardamom syrup to add to your coffee. Alternatively, our Espresso Martini Premix is already non-alcoholic and works beautifully with a nitro infuser with or without the chocolate.
A Unique Twist with Nitro Infusion
There’s no doubt that the best chocolate espresso martini is all about the foam on top. Not only does it nicely hold the iconic 3 coffee beans to represent health, wealth and happiness but it also adds texture. Chocolate espresso martini connoisseurs are always on the hunt for the perfect, creamy foam. Without it, the drink is just flat and unappetizing. Why do you think the best cocktail pros shake that shaker for so long? It’s always for the quest for the ultimate foam. But now, you can get an even foamier foam that stays for the duration of the drink. All this thanks to a nitro infuser machine.
DRNX
The sleek and compact DRNX Espresso Martini Machine is designed for the perfect espresso martinis. All you need to do is add the chocolate and you’re off. Can you imagine pouring 5 drinks a minute thanks to this machine? That’s 12 seconds for the perfect chocolate espresso martini. Most critically, its unique technology takes nitrogen from the air that we breathe so that you don’t have to store messy kegs or containers. You’ll still get the perfect foam that lasts along with a boost of taste, texture and smoothness.
DRNX BRW
If you want to make a chocolate espresso martini with a coffee cold brew, this one is your perfect choice of machine. The DRNX BRW also takes its nitrogen from the air and even makes the coffee for you. Again, it’s as simple as adding your other ingredients into the reservoir and pulling the lever.
DRNX DUO
We know what it’s like when you have customers queuing up at the bar or impatiently waiting at tables for their drinks. Timing can be a major plus point for your establishment’s reputation which is why we came up with the DRNX DUO. With its 2 levers you cut your service time in half while still only having to press a lever. It’s so easy to use and prepare exceptional drinks that you’ll wonder how you ever made a chocolate espresso martini before.
Adding the Magic Touch to a Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipe
Ingredients are just ingredients. To make them stand out in the optimum chocolate espresso martini, you also need the right tools and garnish. You can have the right machine but without the final human touch, you won’t have the final differentiating mark.
Cocktail Shaker
Some people might prefer to stick to the simple cocktail shaker to make a chocolate espresso martini. In that case, make sure you know whether you want one with or without a strainer. The question is whether you prefer the convenience of the Cobbler’s built-in strainer or the precision of the Boston’s shaker without a strainer. But then the Parisian is probably the most stylish.
Serving the Experience
For your not so typical virgin coffee cocktail, begin by adding clean matcha powder to hot water and mix well, allowing optimal dissolving (see instructions on your matcha green tea container). Allow this blend to cool down. When it’s safe to touch, strain it through a small sieve and then a kitchen towel to remove any remaining particles. Mix in some maple syrup and chilled milk of your choosing and serve.
Choosing the Best Liqueur
To serve exceptional drinks, you want premium alcohol. Expensive alcohol goes through a more refined production process resulting in a smoother taste. In other words, it doesn’t feel like you’re drinking petrol. Some might argue that mixing alcohol into cocktails masks any “cheap” taste. Nevertheless, there’s always a balance to be struck. After all, if you’re offering the ultimate nitro infused chocolate espresso martini, it’s best to optimize the machine’s output with good quality ingredients. And even if your customers don’t have a developed enough palate to tell the difference, their headache will alert them to the fact that they just drank cheap alcohol.
Which Liqueurs Make Up a Martini?
The age-old debate of how to actually make a martini. Of course, a chocolate espresso martini isn’t quite the same as a martini but it can be helpful to understand the foundation. From there, it’s easier to get creative and add or remove whatever ingredients you wish. Traditionally, a wet martini is a 3:1 gin to vermouth blend. On the other hand, a dry martini uses less vermouth and sometimes only enough to coat the glass. And then, you have the option to replace the gin with vodka for a crisper taste.
Kahlua vs Baileys: Which is Better?
The Kahlua vs Baileys debate is an interesting one. Kahlua is known for its caramel and coffee flavors but Baileys is known for its creaminess. Now that Baileys has an Irish coffee creme option, you can also bring its blend of whiskey and coffee cream into your chocolate espresso martini. Both Kahlua and Baileys are also great options for many drinks including the Mexican coffee or a Baileys martini, and many more. The final choice of which liqueur comes down to whether you prefer Kahlua’s sweetness or Baileys’ creaminess.
Which Chocolate Liqueur to Choose
A chocolate espresso martini wouldn’t be the same without the chocolate liqueur. The obvious first choice is Godiva’s chocolate liqueur with its silky finish. Another delicious option includes the Mozart chocolate cream liqueur, often touted as one of the best both as a single drink and in cocktails. The Swiss Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacao is another well-loved option. You can also have some fun with the extra flavors from Baileys’ chocolate cherry liqueur or the “vanillary” Giffard creme de cacao blanc.
Making the White Chocolate Espresso Martini
We can’t forget the white chocolate espresso martini. You only need to replace your chocolate liqueur with, as we’ve mentioned, Giffard creme de cacao blanc or Godiva’s white chocolate liqueur. Although, don’t forget to change your garnish. Perhaps a strawberry and mint leaf might be the final touch for the perfect finish.
Fine-Tuning your Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipes
As you can see, there are options and choices. To perfect the art, you’ll need practice and patience. Why not engage your customers and turn it into an event? For instance, if you’ve just bought your nitro infuser, you could launch your new range of enhanced drinks menu. When it comes to getting the right chocolate espresso martini, you can make several options with more or less gin, vermouth and vodka. Then, ask your customers to rate them. There will always be outliers but you’ll still get useful insight as to which blend of ingredients works best. Moreover, your customers will feel they’ve contributed to the creation of your drinks menu. And so, by definition, will feel more loyal. They’ll help you spread the word.
Add Nitro for Optimal Creamy Smoothness
Last but not least, you don’t have to limit yourself to chocolate espresso martini recipes. There are at least 21 different cocktail variations of the espresso cocktails. You can serve anything from an espresso white russian and hazelnut espresso martini to a black forest espresso martini and more.
Final Thoughts
With or without alcohol, white or dark chocolate, gin or vodka, kahlua or baileys, there are many fun choices to play around with. You can also make things easy and stick to vodka, espresso, chocolate and coffee liqueur. Or you can keep things ultra simple with our espresso martini premix to which you only need to add chocolate liqueur. The nitro cold brew machine then does the rest for you. Your customers will be so impressed with the enhanced flavors and extra thick foam that the orders won’t stop flooding in.
About author
