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This rum espresso martini recipe puts a new spin on a classic espresso martini recipe. Strong, bold espresso mingles with a home-infused rum (or you can use a store-bought option!) for a fresh take on an iconic drink.

Feature image for a rum espresso martini. Three rum espresso martinis sit on a countertop that is scattered with espresso beans. Ingredients used to make the martinis sits in the background.

As someone who has been making cocktails at home for over a decade, getting creative and giving a twist to a classic cocktail becomes a part of the job. 😉 This recipe was inspired by my vanilla infused rum recipe, which is a super simple way to level up your at-home cocktail game.

When it’s used in this coffee cocktail, the warm and smooth flavor of the infused rum plays up the flavors of the espresso and Kahlua liqueurs. It also uses this brown sugar simple syrup recipe, which is perfect for adding a toasty caramelized flavor to cocktails!

why this rum espresso martini recipe works:

🍹 rum based twist. Rum has been making quite a comeback, especially in cocktails. A lot of people also don’t realize that Khalua, which is in most espresso martini recipes, is a rum-based liqueur!

🔀 customizable. You can customize this cocktail to your liking, making it the vanilla infused rum or another dark or spiced rum. This means it’s perfect for a variety of guests at your next party! You can also freeze the espresso into espresso ice cubes and make this cocktail frozen.

🤌 well-balanced. Rum and coffee go so well together because many rums are made using sugarcane. The espresso and rum are balanced by the deep flavors of vanilla and brown sugar simple syrup. It’s a match made in heaven!

🛒 ingredients

Ingredients used to make a rum espresso martini sit on a countertop.
  • espresso – espresso is an important factor in this cocktail, so opt for quality if you can. Brewing espresso in a way that produces crema (the foam on top of the coffee) is important for producing a thick froth and velvety mouthfeel. But you can do just fine with a strongly brewed coffee flavor-wise, too. Be sure to prepare one double shot per cocktail.
  • vanilla infused rum – I love using homemade liquor infusions whenever I can in cocktails because it takes the flavor to the next level. With a little foresight, you can infuse your own vanilla rum easily! Otherwise, you can use storebought, if you can find vanilla rum at your local liquor store.
  • Kahlua – Khalua is a rum-based coffee liqueur that is used in a variety of coffee cocktails. It works perfectly in this espresso martini reinvention because it helps play up the flavor of the rum. You can use another rum-based coffee liqueur if you like. Sometimes I like to add a little more luxury by using Koloa coffee rum.
  • brown sugar simple syrup – brown sugar simple syrup adds a wonderfully complex flavor to this cocktail. You can also use regular simple syrup. Or, you can use another flavor like vanilla simple syrup to play up the vanilla flavor. In a pinch, you can use 1 tsp of granulated sugar per cocktail in place of simple syrup.
  • ice – you’ll need ice for shaking your cocktails in the cocktail shaker. Opt for larger ice cubes if possible so that your cocktail doesn’t dilute as you’re shaking it.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

🍳 instructions

Step 1 of making a rum espresso martini: brewing the espresso.

Step 1: Brew a double shot of espresso according to the manufacturer’s instructions on your machine. Set it aside to allow it to cool slightly.

Step 2 of making a rum espresso martini: Pouring espresso into a cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, and slowly pour in the cooled espresso.

Step 3 of making a rum espresso martini: Pouring vanilla infused rum into a cocktail shaker.

Step 3: Add the vanilla infused rum to the cocktail shaker.

Step 4 of making a rum espresso martini: adding the kahlua liqueur.

Step 4: Next, add the Kahlua liqueur.

Step 5 of making a rum espresso martini: adding the brown sugar simple syrup into the cocktail shaker.

Step 5: Add the dark brown sugar simple syrup to the cocktail shaker last.

A hand from out of frame is holding a cocktail shaker and pouring a rum espresso martini into a coupe glass.

Step 6: Shake the cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds to get a nice, strong foam in your cocktail. Then, strain the cocktail into a coupe glass. Garnish with three espresso beans and serve immediately.

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💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ serving tips

  • holiday brunch or breakfast – Looking for Christmas cocktails? This is a great cocktail for a holiday breakfast or brunch!
  • happy hour – this espresso cocktail is the perfect cocktail for happy hour because it provides a little pick-me-up from the long workday.

Choose your glass

  • chill your glass – take a few extra moments to chill your cocktail glass for the best experience for your guests. Whether you put ice in the glasses for up to 15 minutes or stick them in the freezer, a chilled martini glass or coupe makes a big difference when serving this drink!
  • coupe or martini – The traditional glass for an espresso martini is either a martini glass or a coupe glass.
  • small size – Make sure your glass is on the smaller side— this cocktail is small but mighty at only around 6 ounces in volume, so a larger martini glass could leave you with a “glass half-full” kinda feeling. 😅
  • pour it over ice – If you like, you can serve your cocktail on ice. Sure, it’s less traditional, but it could be a good option for a party.

Garnish

  • coffee beans or espresso beans – The official garnish of an espresso martini is three coffee beans to symbolize health, wealth, and happiness.
  • foamy layer – When shaken vigorously, a nice foam layer forms on top of your martini so you can layer the beans on top of the foam.
  • rim the glass – You can also rim your cocktail glass with a little brown sugar simple syrup and then dip it into vanilla sugar or a mix of ground espresso and sugar for another garnish!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

  • too sweet – if your cocktail is too sweet, try adding a bit more espresso or rum.
  • not sweet enough – if your cocktail is bitter or too strong, add in more dark brown sugar simple syrup to balance things out.
  • not enough liquid in the glass – if your glass is too large for your cocktails, you have a few options. You can either double the recipe per glass, or you can add a bit of cream, milk, or water to make the cocktail larger. You can also serve the cocktail over ice. Shh…I won’t tell. 🤫

⚖️ scaling tips

Espresso martinis are super easy to scale up if you’re having a party. You can mix all the ingredients together in a pitcher, stash it in the fridge, then shake and serve the cocktails as your guests arrive. In order to keep the frothy foam layer on the cocktails, it’s best to shake them just before serving.

🔆 top tip

Kahlua is a rum-based coffee liqueur, which is why swapping the classic vodka for vanilla-infused rum works so well in this reimagined cocktail!

♻️ substitutions & variations

Missing an ingredient? Want to switch things up? No problem. I have a ton of espresso martini recipes here, including seasonal variations like a peppermint candy cane espresso martini or a pumpkin spice espresso martini. I even have one that uses chocolate syrup!

  • use a different rum – there is a type of rum for everyone! If you don’t have time to infuse your own rum, you can use store-bought vanilla rum, aged rum, or spiced rum instead.
  • cold brew – if you don’t have access to an espresso maker, you can use cold brew coffee or cold brew concentrate in this cocktail recipe with good results!
  • frozen – freeze the espresso into espresso ice cubes, then add all the ingredients to a blender for a frozen take on this cocktail.
  • mocktail – skip the rum and kahlua and use an alcohol-alternative spirit for a zero-proof espresso martini! Want a more rum-forward mocktail? Try making a molasses simple syrup to get that iconic rum flavor.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

  • cocktail shaker – Even though I like to take photos using clear shakers, when I’m mixing up drinks at home, I only use this cocktail shaker by Elevated Craft. It’s double-walled, so your hands don’t get cold while shaking, and it has measurements in the cap.
  • coupe glass – The standard glass for an espresso martini is a coupe glass, not a martini glass. This is because martini glasses tend to be larger than coupe glasses.
  • measuring beakers – I love using these OXO nesting measuring beakers because you can use them for so many more recipes besides cocktails. They’re perfect for measuring small amounts of liquid!
  • espresso machine – You’ll need a way to make espresso for this beverage, but that doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend $1,000 on an espresso machine. You can buy espresso from your local coffee shop, or you can use strongly brewed drip coffee or cold brew in a pinch. If you do want to buy a nice machine, I have and love the Breville Barista Pro espresso machine. It’s changed my life, and that’s no joke! I also have friends who have and love their Nespresso machines, and I prefer those to Kurigs because the quality is top notch!
  • cocktail strainer – you can double strain your martinis to make sure there are absolutely no ice chips in your drinks using a mesh cocktail strainer.

🫙 storage tips

I’m not one for storing cocktails long-term, as the flavor will deteriorate. It is best to drink this cocktail shortly after making it.

You can prepare this cocktail in a large batch up to 24 hours ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to shake and serve it.

💬 q+a

Do I have to use espresso in this recipe?

You can do whatever you want, I promise! While I prefer to use fresh espresso, you can also use cold brew or very strong brewed coffee. Just be sure to let the coffee cool before using it. Pouring hot espresso or coffee directly over ice can cause it to taste bitter.

What kinds of rum work well in an espresso martini?

This recipe calls for home-infused vanilla rum, but you can also use dark, aged, or spiced rum with great results! Generally speaking, if you want to keep the flavor light, choose to use a light white rum, or silver rum, in the cocktail.

How can I get a layer of foam on my espresso martini?

Shake your espresso martini vigorously for 30-60 seconds over ice to get the best, strongest froth in your cocktail. Use larger ice cubes if you can, because they won’t dilute your espresso martini as much as smaller cubes.

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Feature image for a rum espresso martini. Three rum espresso martinis sit on a countertop that is scattered with espresso beans.

Rum Espresso Martini

This rum espresso martini recipe puts a new spin on a cocktail that’s become a true classic: the espresso martini. Strong, bold espresso mingles with a home-infused rum (or you can use a store-bought option!) for a fresh take on an iconic drink.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Italian
Keyword: espresso, espresso martini, kahlua, martini, rum
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 300kcal
Author: Lindsey Neumayer

Equipment

  • 1 cocktail shaker
  • 1 cocktail coupe alternately you can use a small martini glass or rocks glass.
  • 1 measuring beaker You can also use a jigger if you have that instead.
  • 1 espresso machine

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces espresso freshly brewed and cooled slightly
  • 2 ounces vanilla infused rum
  • 1 ounce Kahlua
  • 1 ounce brown sugar simple syrup
  • ice larger cubes, to fill cocktail shaker

Instructions

  • Brew a double shot of espresso according to the manufacturer’s instructions on your machine. Set it aside to allow it to cool slightly.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, and slowly pour in the cooled espresso.
  • Add the vanilla infused rum to the cocktail shaker.
  • Next, add the Kahlua liqueur.
  • Add the dark brown sugar simple syrup to the cocktail shaker last.
  • Shake the cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds to get a nice, strong foam in your cocktail.
  • Strain the cocktail into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with three espresso beans and serve immediately.

Notes

If you want to rim your glass for extra flair, you can use some vanilla sugar on half the rim to provide a little more sweetness!

Nutrition Information

Servings: 1
Calories: 16mg
Total Fat: 16mg
Saturated Fat: 16mg
Trans Fat: 16mg
Cholesterol: 16mg
Sodium: 16mg
Carbohydrates: 16mg
Fiber: 16mg
Sugar: 16mg
Protein: 16mg

The information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition facts calculator and actual nutrition facts may vary.

Lindsey Neumayer is a culinary content creator at A Recipe For Fun based in Central Florida. She is a classically trained baking and pastry student from Valencia College who also has over 14 years of experience in the fields of education, training, & development. She uses her expertise in education and the culinary arts to share easy-to-follow recipes that you can recreate with confidence at home!

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