4 Creamy Espresso Martini Recipes for Coffee and Cocktail Lovers

4 Creamy Espresso Martini Recipes for Coffee and Cocktail Lovers

There's something irresistible about a coffee cocktail - bold espresso flavors mingling with the sophisticated notes of spirits. The creamy espresso martini reigns supreme as the ultimate cocktail for coffee lovers. From Espresso Martinis to Pêche Blanche, explore the exquisite flavors of our premixed cocktails.

Read on to learn how to make creamy espresso martinis like a pro using the latest coffee nitro technology. If you're a fan of rich and flavorful espresso cocktails, check out this comprehensive guide to the 21 best espresso cocktails.

What Makes a Creamy Espresso Martini?

The traditional espresso martini is a classic cocktail and the perfect pick-me-up for any late night out or indulgent evening in. A creamy espresso martini goes one step further, combining espresso, vodka, and a creamy element, typically Irish cream.

When made right, the drink is rich and velvety, with a hint of sweetness and a thick layer of frothy decadence on top. But how do you perfect the flavors and creamy upper layer at the same time? In short, the key is to use only fresh espresso and shake well for at least 15 seconds. An alternative method to make your espresso martini recipe creamy is with nitro cold brew machines that create the perfect pour every time.

items for coffee bar

Classic Creamy Espresso Martini

Whereas a typical espresso martini contains Kahlua for its full-bodied quality, a creamy espresso martini incorporates a dairy element. The most popular version seen in restaurants and therefore what typically comes to mind when imagining one of these lavish cocktails is an espresso martini with Baileys Irish Cream. In this rendering, the cream balances out the vodka's bite without diminishing the espresso flavor you want to highlight.

Here's how to do it:

Ingredients

For the following renditions, you'll need a shaker, shot glass or jigger, strainer, and chilled martini glass.

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz chilled espresso
  • 1.5 oz Bailey's Irish Cream
  • Ice
  • Optional garnish: espresso beans, chocolate shavings, ground coffee, or cocoa powder

Instruction

  • Brew a fresh espresso shot and let it cool. Hot espresso will yield a watered-down, warm cocktail.
  • Fill the shaker with ice.
  • Pour in the espresso, vodka, and cream. Shake forcefully for at least 15 seconds.
  • Strain into the martini glass, shaking all the foam out toward the end.
  • Top the creamy espresso martini with your garnish of choice.

items for coffee bar

Creamy Espresso Martini Without Baileys

No Baileys? No problem.

Though making this cocktail with Baileys is a clear favorite, you may choose an alternative dairy and still create a fabulous drink. Classic espresso martini lovers will bad-mouth the use of any cream, repeating the old Kahlua vs Baileys debate, but those seeking a creamy martini need something more buttery than Kahlua can provide. Here's how to make a successful creamy espresso martini without Baileys:

Ingredients

  • 1 oz chilled espresso
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Optional garnish: espresso beans, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, ground coffee, or cocoa powder

Instruction

  • Fill the shaker with ice.
  • Add the chilled espresso, vodka, heavy cream, and simple syrup. Shake forcefully for at least 15 seconds.
  • Strain into the chilled martini glass, shaking all the foam out toward the end.
  • Top the creamy espresso martini with your garnish of choice.
  • Serve and enjoy your Baileys-free espresso martini creamy recipe!

creamy earl grey martini

Creamy Earl Grey Martini

Now that we've covered the espresso martini with cream and with Baileys, we're going to introduce a few lesser-known martinis we consider woefully underrated.

An earl grey martini is a creative cocktail incorporating a popular non-alcoholic breakfast beverage. It has a subtle, aromatic flavor that blends beautifully with vodka and cream. The cocktail is refreshing, sophisticated, and versatile enough to drink on a scorching afternoon or as a post-dinner treat. Here's how to make a delicious earl grey martini:

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Earl Grey tea
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Optional garnish: lemon twist, tea leaves, or a flower petal

Instruction

  • Brew a cup of Earl Grey tea and allow it to cool.
  • Fill the shaker with ice, the cooled tea, vodka, heavy cream, and simple syrup. Shake forcefully for at least 15 seconds as you would any cream martini.
  • Strain into a martini glass, shaking all the foam out toward the end.
  • Top with your garnish of choice.

Creamy Pornstar Martini

A Creamy Pornstar Martini is a take on the popular Pornstar Martini that originated in the UK. It's a deliciously fruity concoction combining vanilla vodka, passion fruit puree, and a splash of freshly squeezed lime juice. This drink is usually served with a shot of prosecco on the side, which is poured into the glass to add some fizz and sweetness.

This cocktail has a similar consistency to that of an espresso martini with cream but with a fruity profile.

Ingredients

  • 3 oz vodka
  • 1 oz heavy cream
  • 2 ripe passion fruit or 50ml (2fl oz) passion fruit puree
  • 1 oz vanilla syrup
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • Ice
  • Garnish option: fresh passion fruit, sliced

Instruction

  • If using fresh passion fruit, blend it into a smooth puree.
  • Fill the shaker with ice, then add the vodka, heavy cream, passion fruit puree, vanilla syrup, and lime juice.
  • Shake forcefully for at least 15 seconds, as creamy martinis require to form foam.
  • Strain into a chilled martini glass, shaking all the foam out toward the end.
  • If desired, top with a thin slice of passion fruit.
  • Serve and enjoy your Creamy Passion Fruit Martini.

Secret to the Best Creamy Espresso Martini Recipe

You can eliminate human error and create the perfect cocktail every time with BROOD's latest nitro technology. Nitro cold brew machines elevate cocktails by infusing drinks with tiny nitrogen bubbles. This creates a velvety, creamy texture, perfect for creating that light layer of foam we all strive for on a decadent espresso martini with cream.

Nitro technology not only enhances texture and flavor profiles, but makes drinks more visually appealing. The minuscule bubbles create an ombre effect as the drink pours. The result is a cascading color fade that entices the drinker before even getting a taste.

DRNX

DRNX is BROOD's original nitro cold brew machine that can flash-chill and nitro-infuse any liquid for a velvety smooth pour. Using patented technology that eliminates the need for gas tanks, this espresso martini machine uses atmospheric nitrogen straight from its surroundings. Pour craft cocktails, nitro coffee, or creamy espresso martinis with unmatched speed and precision. Every pour is consistent and effortless, meaning you can serve more people better drinks in a fraction of the time.

creamy martini machine

DRNX DUO

DRNX DUO is the world's fastest nitro brew machine, fitted with two spouts to halve service time and expand menu options. When the DRNX machine attracts more customers than you can handle, upgrade to the double version and serve more customers without sacrificing quality. Built for coffee but endlessly versatile, this technology can take the best creamy espresso martini recipe and blow it out of the water.

DRNX BRW

Finally, the DRNX BRW is BROOD's specialized nitro cold brew machine. This versatile, sleek machine pours the perfect cup every time. It brews fresh coffee from the bean, chills, dispenses, and nitrogenizes beverages all in one countertop appliance. Serve nitro and still cold brew from one tap with no nitrogen tank taking up valuable space.

Next time a customer orders an espresso martini with Baileys, prepare it with the creamiest, sweetest nitro coffee possible.

Tips to Make Your Creamy Espresso Martini Even Better

Now that you know how to make an espresso martini creamy by adding Baileys or heavy cream, we're going to dish out a few pro tips you can use to make your espresso martini irresistible.

Chill Your Glassware

A chilled glass maintains the cocktail's cool temperature, providing a better drinking experience for customers and improving the overall service level. It also prevents ingredients from separating and ice from melting too quickly, which dilutes the drink and robs its flavor. For creamy martinis, keep glasses stored in a refrigerator or place ice in the martini glass while preparing the cocktail. Allowing ice to sit for a few even seconds brings down the glass's temperature enough to make a noticeable difference.

Try Different Garnishes

Creamy martini recipes vary in their garnishes of choice. It all comes down to personal and stylistic preferences, but garnishing your cocktail adds a level of visual appeal and sophistication. Cinnamon, cocoa powder, and coffee grounds dusted atop look dashing and alter the flavor profile of the cocktail, as the guest can smell the aromas before even taking a sip. Chocolate shavings make the drink more desert-like, which is appropriate for a creamy cocktail like this.

Shake! Shake! Shake!

The secret to attaining that frothy top layer is shaking vigorously for at least 15 seconds. The more you shake, the more small bubbles form to make the espresso martini creamy, smooth, and eye-catching. Alternatively, using a nitro brew machine in place of regular espresso will create the perfect creamy, frothy texture so you can skip the excessive shaking.

Experiment

Don't limit your recipe to what's common. Experiment with other brands and dairy products to find the flavor that suits your flavor profile. Consider adding flavored simple syrup or vodka like vanilla, coffee, or chocolate. Test out different coffee strains and strengths. Learning how to make a creamy espresso martini doesn't have to end with the strict definition.

To Sum Up

We hope these tips help you make the creamy espresso martini you've been craving. Don't feel pressured to use the espresso martini recipe with Baileys; play around with ingredients or try other unique, creamy cocktails that are just as delicious! Investing in a nitro cold brew machine is the only way to achieve the perfect pour every time - rich, silky, and with that signature frothy top. Our experts have written the best cold brew recipes that change the game in flavor and drink quality. 

So grab your shaker and mix up a creamy cocktail masterpiece that will have everyone talking.

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Kahlua vs Baileys: Which is Better for Nitro Cold Brew?