How To Make An Espresso Martini With Baileys

What is an Espresso Martini? 

An espresso martini with Baileys is an alcoholic drink usually mixed with vodka, served chilled with a garnish.

Although it is called a martini, it does not contain the conventional martini ingredient of either a gin or vermouth.

The drink has become popular recently, to bartenders’ vexation, due to the time and effort required to prepare the drink compared to other cocktails. 

How to Make an Espresso Martini With Baileys

A basic espresso martini recipe with Baileys requires five minutes and five ingredients. How to make an espresso martini with Baileys is relatively easy; here is a step-by-step recipe to start you off. 

Creamy Espresso Martini With Baileys 

Time: 5 minutes

Serving size: 1 serving

Prep time: 5 minutes

Nutritional Facts Per Single Serving

• Calories: 302
• Fat: 0.008 ounces (0.23 grams)
• Carbs: 0.83 ounces (23.4 grams) 
• Protein: 0.004 ounces (0.12 grams) 

Equipment Needed

1. Martini glass
2. Cocktail shaker 

Ingredients

• 1 ounce (28 grams) Espresso freshly brewed 
• 2 ounces (57 grams) of Vodka
• Coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
• ½ ounce (14 grams) Irish cream (Baileys Irish Cream)
• Ice
• Garnish (Optional) 

Directions

Step 1

Brew the espresso as usual and set it aside. 

Step 2 

Pour the cocktail shaker, the espresso, vodka, Irish cream (Bailey’s), and Kahlua, and add some ice. 

Step 3

Shake the mix for about ten seconds until chilled, and pour the mix into a martini glass. Depending on preference, you can add a few ice cubes before pouring.

Step 4 (Optional)

Before pouring the mix, coat the inside and rim of the martini glass rim with chocolate syrup. Optionally dip the rim of the glass before pouring in cocoa powder, crushed chocolate, or crushed espresso beans or powder, depending on preference. 

Step 5 (Optional)

Serve the cocktail as is or garnish by sprinkling the drink with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

The Versatility of the Combination

The espresso martini combination is versatile, as you can substitute some ingredients to vary the taste. Here are the other ways to make an espresso martini with Baileys. 

Espresso Vodka Martini

The espresso vodka martini has three ingredients, namely a shot of espresso, espresso vodka, and Irish liqueur shaken together and then poured into a glass. Optionally serve the cocktail on a bed of ice. 

Espresso Vodka Chocolate Martini

This concoction involves chocolate liqueur to vanilla vodka, espresso, Irish liqueur, and coffee liqueur and is vigorously mixed. The mixture is served in a martini glass with chocolate syrup on the rim and garnished with coffee beans. This cocktail is delicious paired with a dessert.

Espresso Vodka

This recipe used four ingredients; vodka, coffee liqueur like Kahlua, freshly brewed espresso, and some sugar shaken together. You can add coffee beans and garnish. Adding ice is an option to bring a zing to the drink. 

White Chocolate Liqueur Martini 

This elegant cocktail, served as a liquid dessert, has a creamy and smooth taste. The ingredients include vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, heavy cream, and dark chocolate shaved as a finish. 

There are two ways to mix; the first method is to shake in a cocktail shaker until chilled and then pour into the glass or stir. The second method is to mix in a carafe and then strain the mixture into a glass. Add the shaved chocolate pieces as garnish.

Some Reader Espresso Martini Questions Answered

Is There Baileys in Espresso Martinis?

No, espresso martinis will typically not contain Baileys. A classic espresso martini recipe includes espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka or tequila; Baileys is an addition for a creamy espresso martini finish.

Which is Better for Espresso Martinis? Kahlua or Baileys?

Both are great for a martini espresso, individually or together. Baileys brings the creamy, subtly sweet flavor of vanilla and chocolates and not much alcohol taste, while Kahlua is an espresso liqueur. You will never miss it when you make an espresso martini with Baileys and Kahlua.

What Can You Substitute Kahlua with in Espresso Martinis?

You can substitute Kahlua with other coffee liqueurs such as  Komora, Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee, Vincenzi Original Coffee Liqueur, and Tia Maria.

How Do I Froth the Top of an Espresso Martini? 

Shaking the mixer vigorously in the cocktail mixer will make the espresso martini frothy. 

How Do I Get a Creamy Top for an Espresso Martini?

You can make an espresso martini extra creamy by adding an Irish cream liqueur such as Baileys and also shaking the mix vigorously over ice. 

Other Variations to Try

When you are a new espresso martini connoisseur, you can vary some ingredients of espresso martini to try something new and find your preference. Here are some ideas to try.

Espresso Martini With Baileys and Vanilla Vodka

If you are a fan of iced vanilla latte, this is the one cocktail to try. Substitute the vodka with espresso vodka to give the martini an edgy taste that comes out when mixed with Baileys and Kahlua. 

Espresso Martini With Baileys and Frangelico

This espresso martini cocktail is for those who love Italian coffee, and it is perfect when paired with a dessert such as a Tiramisu due to its sweetness. The drink has a rich, creamy flavor as the Frangelico contains hazelnut, coffee, and cocoa for a sweet aroma. 

The espresso martini ingredients are Baileys, Frangelico, espresso, vodka, sugar, ice, and chocolate. 

Tia Espresso Martini

Tia Maria is a coffee liqueur made in Italy using Jamaican coffee beans and used in the making of the Tia Espresso martini. Tia Maria is a blended mix of alcohol, coffee beans, Jamaican rum, vanilla, and sugar. 

The mixer of Tia Maria and Baileys Irish cream in an espresso martini brings out the taste of vibrant island flavors.

Coffee-Infused Espresso Martini

Make coffee-infused vodka for a less-sweetened alternative to Kahlua using a cold brew method. Measure crushed coffee beans into a carafe and pour vodka over it and allow to stand for a few days.

Some recipes will include sugar but skip the sugar if you are looking for an unsweetened alternative.

Decaffeinated Espresso Martini

When you want to remove the kick of caffeine, replace regular espresso with decaffeinated espresso and mix your cocktail as usual.

Espresso Martini With Gin

For those who prefer gin, choose any recipes and substitute vodka with gin but maintain the rest of the ingredients. Just be aware that some gin has a flowery taste that can impact the taste of your espresso martini.

The Final Say

An espresso martini is a delicious creamy alcoholic cocktail usually made with vodka and espresso as a base mixed with an Irish cream liqueur such as Baileys and a coffee liqueur like Kahlua. Other substitutes for vodka are gin and tequila. 

The classic martini recipe is espresso, vodka, Irish cream, and coffee liqueur shaken in ice and served with or without ice. Garnish such as chocolate and cocoa powder are added for decoration and further taste.

A Baileys espresso martini recipe will vary to accommodate various preferences, such as unsweetened and decaffeinated options.