Vanilla Bean Espresso Martini
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A rich, coffee-forward espresso martini made with vanilla vodka, fresh espresso, and vanilla bean paste. Bold and smooth with a pinch of Himalayan salt that sharpens every sip and keeps it from tipping into dessert territory.
This cocktail is part of our Date Nite collection, made to be sipped while you cook together.
Build Your Drink
INGREDIENT LIST
2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz fresh espresso, cooled slightly (see notes)
3/4 oz coffee liqueur (see notes)
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
Simple syrup, to taste (see notes)
cocktail method
Brew a shot of espresso and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Add vanilla vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of Himalayan pink salt to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds until the shaker is very cold.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a vanilla bean rested across the rim or three coffee beans on the foam.
Notes from the Bar
Heads up: We may earn a small commission on products we’ve linked here. We only recommend the real-deal favorites from our kitchen.
COFFEE LIQUEUR OPTIONS
We tested this with Lazzaroni Black Caffè, a sweet and rich Italian coffee liqueur that needs no added simple syrup. If you are using Mr. Black, which is more robust and coffee-forward, add 1/4 to 1/2 oz of simple syrup to balance the dryness. Both are excellent and produce slightly different expressions of this cocktail.
→ Link to Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
→ Link to Lazzaroni Black Caffè Liqueur
ESPRESSO MATTERS
Fresh espresso is what creates the thick, creamy foam on top. We use a Breville espresso machine at home now and it makes a noticeable difference. If you are just getting started with espresso at home, a Moka pot is a great entry point and produces a strong, concentrated brew that works beautifully here.
→ Link to our Breville Espresso Machine
→ Link to Moka Pot
VANILLA BEAN PASTE
Vanilla bean paste gives you real vanilla specks in the foam and a deeper, more rounded flavor than extract. The Trader Joe's vanilla bean paste works perfectly here and is an easy find.
THE SALT
A small pinch of Himalayan pink salt is not optional in our opinion. It cuts through the sweetness, sharpens the espresso flavor, and makes the whole cocktail taste more complete. Do not skip it.
VODKA CHOICE
Vanilla vodka is the base here and it matters. It adds a soft, warm sweetness that plain vodka does not. If you only have plain vodka on hand, add an extra 1/4 tsp of vanilla bean paste to compensate.
SHAKE HARD
The foam on an espresso martini comes entirely from vigorous shaking. Shake harder and longer than you think you need to — 15 to 20 full seconds. Your hand should be painfully cold by the time you strain it.
Because every drink deserves a beautiful moment.
A ritual we return to
Our cocktails are part of something bigger for us. They’re the beginning of Date Nite, a connection-centered experience we created to help you slow down, share a meal, and enjoy time with the one you love.
Each Date Nite is thoughtfully planned for you, so you are not stuck deciding what to cook or how to pull the night together. We pair one cocktail with a complete menu, a simple flow from prep to plate, and small details that make the evening feel easy and connected from start to finish.
It is not about perfection. It is about presence, and creating space to reconnect, whether that is with your partner or simply with yourself, over a really good meal.
Start with one free Date Nite menu
We created this for you — and the one you love.
Kevin & Kate
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