Espresso martinis are one of my favorite cocktails, but now, in my 30s, I can only really have one (okay maaaaaybe two), so I always want to make it a good one. This vanilla vodka espresso martini recipe uses real vanilla infused vodka, classic coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and strong espresso for the most delicious coffee cocktail you’ve ever had.

A classic espresso martini with vanilla vodka sits on a coaster with another vanilla espresso martini in the background.

I’ve been making cocktails at home for over a decade now, and my love of espresso runs deep thanks to my Italian-American roots. I’ve got espresso martinis for all occasions here on the blog, from chocolate espresso martinis to autumn espresso martinis, but this one is the real classic recipe. No heavy cream. No fake flavored vodka. Just the best espresso martini you’ve ever had.

This vanilla espresso martini is a great way to start any party, just pair it with classic appetizers like marinated mozzarella. It’s also the best way to cap off a great meal as a liquid dessert– no dessert plates needed! It’s sweetened using a homemade demerara syrup, but if you want to level up the vanilla taste you can also use a homemade vanilla syrup!

why this espresso martini recipe is a classic…

🤤 real vanilla vodka. No imitation flavors, here. This cocktail is made using home-infused vodka which can take a bit of time, but I promise you, it’s worth it.

⚖️ perfect balance. Not too bold, not too sweet, but full of flavor. That is the key in any great espresso martini, and this one is setting the standard!

🎉 party ready. Take it from some of my favorite Disney bartenders, this drink is easy to make for a crowd! I’ve included a “pitcher” recipe for you in the recipe card (spoiler alert, it uses a blender 🤫).

🛒 ingredients

espresso – fresh espresso is always my choice for espresso martinis, though you can use cold brew concentrate as well! No espresso machine? Just pop in to your local coffee shop and grab as much espresso as you need!
vanilla vodka – I know, it’s tempting to buy a bottle of vanilla vodka at the liquor store and call it a day, but PLEASE, try infusing your own liquor and prepare to be wowed. It takes a bit of time to make homemade vanilla vodka, but it’s worth it. Trust me!
Kahlua – this classic coffee liqueur is in nearly every espresso martini recipe for a reason: it helps to layer the coffee flavor!
demerara simple syrup – this classic cocktail syrup is a staple in my fridge. It has a deeper, more caramelized flavor than regular simple syrup, and it blends wonderfully with the vanilla vodka.
ice – ice is important, folks! The ice you use to shake your cocktail is what helps give the signature foamy top to this martini, even though the drink is not traditionally served over ice.
vanilla sugar – an optional extra, but also highly recommended. You can make a batch of vanilla infused sugar then use it everywhere you would normally use granulated sugar.

See the recipe card for the exact quantities.

📖 my love affair with espresso martinis

(aka the backstory aka everyone’s favorite part of food blogs)

My love for this cocktail began in my mid-20’s-Epcot-going-days. Anyone who knows anything about a GOOD drink at Disney knows you have to get to know your bartenders, and you don’t know nothin’ until you know Daniele and Marco in Tuto Gusto’s wine cellar in the Italy pavilion.

They’ve perfected making espresso martinis fast for theme park crowds, and even though I didn’t always agree with using a blender, necessity is the mother of invention, and boy howdy do they sling these out quick. Plus, its kind of the perfect way to serve espresso martinis for a party.

But no matter how great the drinks are, you can only buy so many $18 cocktails before you start wondering “how can I recreate this at home…?” 😅 Well, this version might not be served with a side of the World Showcase, but it’s a very good cocktail, and you can play Disney music in the background of your living room for the vibessss.

🍳 instructions

Garnishing a coupe glass with homemade vanilla sugar for a vanilla espresso martini.

1: Dip the edge of your glass into your simple syrup, then gently press it into vanilla sugar to rim the glass.

Adding a double espresso to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

2: Brew a double espresso and allow it to cool off for a few minutes, then pour it into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Adding vanilla infused vodka to a cocktail shaker.

3: Add the remaining ingredients to the cocktail shaker.

A shaken cocktail shaker shows what a classic espresso martini should look like before shaking vigorously.

4: Tightly seal and shake the cocktail shaker for at least 30 seconds.

Pouring a vanilla espresso martini into a garnished glass.

5: Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass.

Garnishing a classic vanilla espresso martini with espresso beans.

6: Garnish with three espresso beans and serve.

Hint: Make sure to shake your cocktail for at least 30 seconds to get a good strong froth on the drink!

Wanna save this recipe for later? 📬

I'll email this recipe post to you so you can have it for later!

A shaken cocktail shaker shows what a classic espresso martini should look like after shaking vigorously.

💡tips & tricks for getting it right

🍽️ how to serve your vanilla espresso martinis

happy hour – espresso martinis are absolutely fabulous to serve for happy hours or arrival hours! Pair them with a charcuterie board or small bowls of snacks like roasted mixed nuts and simple salted potato chips.
after dinner drinks – this is the perfect drink to end a meal with and serve for dessert! You can even make them decaf if you want to make sure you don’t stay up too late. 😘 Partner this martini with some brownie bites or fresh baked cookies for a nostalgic dessert!
holiday parties – these martinis are classic cocktails for serving during the holiday season, because they’re easy to customize with seasonal flavors! Check out this pumpkin espresso martini for fall, or this candy cane espresso martini for winter!

ℹ️ troubleshooting tips

not frothy – use the right ice for shaking your drinks! Cubes that are at least 1 x 1 inch cubes will produce a substantial layer of foam for placing espresso beans on. Avoid using pebble ice or smaller crushed ice cubes as it will dilute your drink.

⚖️ big batch espresso martinis

Serving these for a party?! You have a couple of options! You can combine the ingredients in a pitcher, then “shake to order” so that each drink gets frothy foam. OR…you can take a page from Tuto Gusto and mix them up in a blender. Blend the ingredients for 30-45 seconds, then pour into prepared glasses.

🔆 top tip

Use large ice cubes and shake quickly for at least 30 seconds to get the most perfectly frothy espresso martini!

♻️ customize your espresso martinis

switch up the flavor – check out my other seasonal variations of this happy hour favorite, like peppermint espresso martinis, pumpkin espresso martinis, and chocolate espresso martinis!
frozen – prefer a frosty martini? Try blending it with espresso ice cubes instead of brewed espresso!
cold brew concentrate – you can also use cold brew concentrate instead of espresso!
maximum vanilla – you can substitute vanilla syrup for demerara syrup to amp up the vanilla flavor in this cocktail! This is a great option if you don’t have vanilla vodka on hand.

🧰 equipment needed & storage tips

cocktail shaker – in order to make this drink you’ll need a reliable cocktail shaker. Shaking the drink is what makes the foam!
cocktail strainer – this optional bar tool is great for making sure your martinis are free of ice chips once you strain them out of the shaker.
coupe glass – even though it’s called a martini, this drink is typically served in a coupe glass. The finished drink will be less than 8 ounces in volume, so choose a glass that will hold this amount without looking too empty.
jigger or measuring beaker – measuring tools are necessities for making balanced drinks!

🫙 can you store espresso martinis?

Cocktails are best enjoyed immediately after they are served, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prep in advance! Make sure to separate any leftover cocktails from ice so they don’t get diluted, and always store in a sealed container in the fridge. Don’t plan on storing for more than 24 hours for the best flavor.

💬 q+a

What if I don’t have time to make vanilla vodka?

You can use store bought vanilla vodka in place of homemade. My favorite brand is Absolut Vanilia vodka.

What’s the difference between Kahlua liqueur and Bailey’s liqueur?

Baileys is made with cream, which means your espresso martini will also be creamy. Traditional espresso martinis do not contain cream, so Kahlua is the liqueur of choice! You can even make your own coffee liqueur if you want, it’ll just take a bit of time but it’s a fun way to make a totally bespoke cocktail!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review in the comments and a star rating!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read every single comment! I also love connecting on social media, so snap a pic and hashtag it #myrecipeforfun and tag me on Instagram, TikTok, or pin this recipe on Pinterest!

A classic espresso martini with vanilla vodka sits on a coaster.

Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini (Classic Espresso Martini + Blender Recipe)

Lindsey Neumayer

This vanilla espresso martini recipe uses real vanilla infused vodka, classic coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and fresh brewed espresso. It's got a strong vanilla flavor that rivals even your favorite restaurant or bar, and can be scaled up easily to serve a crowd!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Course Beverages, Brunch, Cocktails

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 310 kcal