Creamy Tequila Espresso Martini

If coffee drinks are your jam, then this Creamy Tequila Espresso Martini is perfect for you! It’s full of rich coffee flavor, a bit creamy, and has a twist on the standard espresso martini – tequila! 

I’m a massive fan of Kamora brand coffee liqueur, which has a tequila base. So, adding EVEN more tequila to the martini makes sense, right? The tequila enhances the coffee flavor, bringing out some chocolate notes. It elevates the familiar espresso martini to bold new heights.

All Things Espresso Martini

The origins of the espresso martini go back to London, in 1983, when Dick Bradsell created the cocktail for a supermodel who requested something that would ‘wake me up and F@$% me up.” He whipped up a drink using vodka, sugar, coffee liqueur, and a shot of strong espresso. It was an instant hit. He renamed the cocktail ‘Pharmaceutical Stimulant’ in the 90’s for another of his bars.

Although Dick’s libation wasn’t technically a martini since it had no gin or vermouth, he coined it a martini because he strained the cocktail into a V-shaped martini glass.

Later, at Bar Flores in Los Angeles, owner Karla Flores-Mercado wanted to satisfy her customer’s request for espresso martinis yet remain faithful to the Mexican theme of her restaurant. She replaced the vodka with tequila, and the rest is history.

Espresso martinis have become so popular that a day is dedicated to it. March 15th is National Espresso Martini Day.

Ingredients Needed

• Espresso – cold brewed is best. Decaf is fine, but NEVER use instant. Make sure that the coffee is cold before making your martini.
• Tequila – I prefer a blanco tequila, but it’s a matter of taste. Use what you enjoy or have on hand.
• Coffee liqueur – I used Kamora, which has a tequila base. Kahlua, Tia Maria, or any coffee liqueur works well.             
• Simple syrup – a little goes a long way. You don’t want to make the cocktail too sweet and cloying.
• Heavy cream – optional, but it balances out the acidity of the coffee and enhances the frothy top.
• Whole coffee beans and cocoa powder – used as garnishes.

How To Make A Tequila Espresso Martini

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Pour in the tequila, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and espresso.
3. Shake, and shake some more.
4. Pour into a martini glass.
5. Spoon the heavy cream on the top.
6. Garnish with cocoa powder and whole coffee beans.

Tips And Tricks

• Make sure all of your ingredients are chilled. You don’t want the ice to dilute the cocktail, so it’s worth the effort to chill the coffee, tequila, and liqueur.
• Use a cold brew espresso, which, because the grounds are not exposed to high heat, cold brewed coffee is more flavorful,  less acidic, and smoother. But whatever type of espresso you use, make sure it’s fresh. Coffee oxidizes and becomes more bitter as it ages.
• Use high-quality ingredients. Use quality coffee, an agave tequila, and heavy cream for the most flavorful result.
• Be conservative with the simple syrup. You want to balance the bitterness from the coffee without being too sweet. Start out with 5ml or one heaping teaspoon at first. Taste, then adjust for sweetness. You can always add more syrup but can’t remove it.
• Shake, don’t stir. James Bond knew how to make the best martini when he demanded his martini be ‘shaken, not stirred.’ Shaking the martini aggressively helps to get the crema, which is the gorgeous, foamy layer of bubbles that form on the top of coffee by aerating the essential oils in it.
• Use a garnish. You’ve gone to the trouble and expense of procuring the best ingredients and mastering the exact science of the mixology, so don’t skimp on presentation. Three coffee beans are the standard, but a dusting of cocoa powder and a few more coffee beans is just the gilding this elegant cocktail deserves.

Delicious Variations

• Add a dash of vanilla extract for a vanilla espresso martini.
• Cinnamon and a tiny dash of chili powder or cayenne for a spicy kick. Garnish the top with a dash of cinnamon or add a cinnamon stick to the glass.
• Chocolate syrup can be used instead of simple syrup to add sweetness and a chocolatey nuance as well. Add a ground chocolate rim to the glass.
• Orange extract, orange bitters, or some orange liquor can give a tequila espresso martini a French flair. Garnish with an orange peel twist.
• Use Baily’s instead of a coffee liqueur for a creamier version.

More Martini Recipes To Try

• Barbie’s Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini
• Copycat Pump-Tini Martini
• Sparkling Rosemary Pear Martini
• Key Lime Pie Martini
• Pomegranate Martini
• Strawberry Shortcake Martini
• The Ultimate Chocolate Martini
• Pumpkin Pie Martini
• Cosmopolitan Martini
• Cool Lychee Martini

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