Chocolate Espresso Martini

The chocolate espresso martini is like a decadent dessert with a kick of caffeine that will have you dancing all night. Made with vanilla vodka, sweet chocolate liqueur and bitter espresso, this cocktail is a boozy, well-balanced take on a mocha that works for brunch, after dinner or as a pick-me-up before a night out on the town.

Adding chocolate liqueur makes an espresso chocolate martini different from the classic espresso martini. But “chocolate liqueur” can mean anything from basic creme de cacao to velvety, creamy chocolate liqueurs that taste like spiked chocolate bars. The two are interchangeable in this recipe, but know that chocolate liqueurs made with cream or milk will have less chocolate flavor than creme de cacao.

Espresso martinis were all the rage in the 1990s when supermodels and celebrities loved the drink for its unique ability to wake you up and chill you out simultaneously. The cocktail took a short hiatus in the early 2000s. Now, it’s back with a vengeance, served in coupes or triangle-shaped martini glasses with decadent garnishes like chocolate shavings, espresso beans or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Ingredients for Chocolate Espresso Martini

• Chocolate liqueur: Chocolate-flavored liqueurs like Mozart or Godiva work well with this cocktail. If you’re feeling crafty, you can make chocolate liqueur at home (plan ahead, since it takes a couple of weeks for the vodka and cocoa nibs to infuse).
• Espresso: If you are lucky enough to have an espresso machine at home, you can pull the perfect shot. A Nespresso machine works well, too, as does cold brew coffee. You can also buy coffee concentrate or roll through your local cafe and have them make espresso for you.
• Vanilla-flavored vodka: This slightly sweet vodka adds just a hint of vanilla to round out the cocktail’s flavor profile. There are many brands to choose from, but Stoli and Absolut made some of the first mass-produced flavored vodkas, so they are a good bet.
• Chocolate syrup and chocolate shavings: How chocolatey do you want your espresso chocolate martini? A squeeze bottle of chocolate syrup can be used to make a design on the inside of the glass before you pour the drink in. You can also dip the edge of the glass into syrup or sweep it across the surface. Taking a small grater to a bar of high-end dark chocolate is also a classy move. Choose your level of chocolate and go for it!

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ingredients

Fill a mixing glass or tumbler three-fourths full with ice. Add the chocolate liqueur, espresso and vodka, and stir until condensation forms on the outside of the glass.

Editor’s Tip: Stirring a cocktail is really about chilling and dilution, so make sure to use cooled espresso; otherwise, your drink will be watered down and not quite cold enough.

Step 2: Strain and garnish the cocktail

Strain the vodka mixture into a glass and garnish the cocktail with chocolate syrup and shavings if desired.

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Recipe Variations

• Make it your own: Feel free to adjust the proportions of this martini to your taste. If you love coffee, increase the amount of brewed espresso to 1 ounce and decrease the chocolate liqueur by 1/2 ounce. If you like a little more vanilla flavor, increase the vanilla vodka to 1 ounce and decrease the chocolate liqueur accordingly.
• Add whipped cream: Finishing this martini with a dollop of whipped cream adds that touch of richness you might be craving. Want to take it one step further (or possibly one step too far)? Try bourbon whipped cream for one more hit of booze.
• Freeze it: Try blending your drink like this slushy frozen espresso martini.
• Try it with Irish cream: Love Bailey’s? Make an espresso martini with Bailey’s instead.

How to Store Chocolate Espresso Martinis

Because this recipe doesn’t involve dairy, the vodka, chocolate liqueur and espresso mixture can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

Can you make a chocolate espresso martini ahead of time?

You can make a chocolate espresso martini ahead of time, just use the same ratios in the recipe. First and foremost, make your espresso or coffee and chill it. Then add the vodka and chocolate liqueur. You can keep the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge (I like using flip-top glass bottles with good seals) for seven days. When you are ready to serve, shake the bottles and pour the mixture into a mixing glass, stirring to chill. You can also serve this cocktail on the rocks!

Chocolate Espresso Martini Tips

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What type of glass should you use for a chocolate espresso martini?

Vintage glassware like classic coupes or triangular martini glasses work just fine for a chocolate espresso martini. If you serve it over ice, use a rocks or even a highball glass.

Can you use instant espresso to make a chocolate espresso martini?

Yes! Using instant coffee products for a chocolate espresso martini is a clever little trick. Mix 1 round teaspoon of espresso powder with 6 ounces of boiling water to get one 6-ounce cup of instant espresso. You can also use strongly brewed coffee, cold brew or coffee concentrate to make chocolate espresso martinis—just be sure to chill it before making your cocktail.

What other garnishes can you use for a chocolate espresso martini?

Classic espresso martinis use a few coffee beans as a garnish on the top, but you need to shake an espresso martini to get a strong foam that can support the beans. If you want that creamy top, throw the chocolate espresso martini in a shaker and shake it well (add a tablespoon of egg white for even more serious foam!). We like to dip the rim of the glass in chocolate syrup and sprinkle a bit of grated chocolate on top; milk, dark, or even white chocolate all work just fine.