This gin espresso martini takes a twist on the classic cocktail by using your favorite gin instead of vodka. It is a great pick-me-up for an after dinner cocktail.
I'm a big fan of after dinner cocktails - from a salted caramel martini to a Godiva chocolate martini to a gingerbread martini to a white chocolate martini.
As you can tell, most of them lean sweet. And while this gin espresso martini has a hint of sweetness, it is also strong, smooth, rich and delicious. If you are a fan of Irish coffee, this cocktail will hit the spot.
By using gin instead of vodka you are actually making a more traditional martini. A martini is a cocktail made with gin, vermouth, and garnish. You can have it shaken or stirred. It is actually believed that James Bond made the vodka martini more popular.
By using gin, you add a more complex, almost botanical flavor which complements the espresso and Kahlúa. You still get that famous foam when shaking all of the ingredients together.
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Ingredient Notes
- Gin - has an herbal flavor marked with citrus and spices which complements the coffee taste well. My go-to is Bombay Sapphire.
- Kahlúa - adds a strong coffee flavor with subtle notes of caramel and vanilla. You can also use other coffee liqueurs like Mr. Black or Tia Maria.
- Espresso – use a strong espresso coffee, preferably brewed in a machine so get that noted flavor.
- Simple syrup - adds a slight sweetness and mellows out the flavors of the coffee. You can buy or make your own, which means boiling equal parts sugar and water and then letting cool.
- Coffee beans - just used as a garnish.
Step-by-Step Photos
Mix all of the ingredients in a martini shaker with some ice. Shake very hard for 30 seconds and strain quickly in a martini glass so you get that foam. Top with coffee beans if desired.
FAQs
The key to a frothy martini is to use freshly brewed espresso which creates that foam on top. Why not as pronounced, you can use Instant espresso in a pinch.
You can also use egg whites. Egg whites will have very little effect on the cocktail's taste. They add a nice rich, silky, foam texture. So it is all about preference.
If you want some foam but are concerned about raw egg, you can try Ms. Better's Bitters. It is vegan and actually works in creating foam!
Kahlúa is best for that authentic flavor but Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur or Tia Maria work as well.
If you want that famous foam, you need to shake vigorously for 30 seconds before straining. The foam is formed from the drink being cold and shaking it.
I personally like using a coupe glass, but a v-shaped martini glass works as well.
Types of Gin
There are 4 main types of gin, and they all vary slightly in their flavor. Just depends on what you are looking for.
- London Dry - the most common type of gin, which has a strong juniper flavor.
- Plymouth - drier than London Dry and a little more citrus forward.
- Old Tom - has more licorice and is richer in flavor than London Dry.
- Genever - almost no citrus flavor and the richest in flavor of all gins.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Use a gin you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Make sure the espresso is cooled completely or it will melt the ice.
- You can cool the espresso more quickly by placing in the freezer for a few minutes.
- Shake the cocktail for at least 30 seconds so you get that foam.
- Pour quickly into the glass to ensure there is foam.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
Other Cockails
If you’ve tried this gin espresso martini or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.
Gin Espresso Martini
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz gin
- 1 ½ oz Kahlúa
- 1 oz espresso
- ½ oz simple syrup
- coffee beans
Instructions
- Brew the espresso and let it cool completely.
- Mix gin, Kahlúa, espresso, simple syrup and some ice cubes in martini shaker.
- Shake very hard for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass quickly so you get foam. Top with some coffee beans.
Notes
- Use a gin you like as some of the flavor comes from it.
- Make sure the espresso is cooled completely or it will melt the ice.
- You can cool the espresso more quickly by placing in the freezer for a few minutes.
- Shake the cocktail for at least 30 seconds so you get that foam.
- Pour quickly into the glass to ensure there is foam.
- Chill the glass so it remains cold for longer.
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