Winter Cocktail Series: Espresso Martini

As temperatures drop, we find ourselves spending more time inside.  Whether you’re having company over or you find yourself craving a comforting cocktail, an espresso martini is an enjoyable option.  Especially for the coffee lovers, this cocktail is deliciously cool, yet warming.  It also packs a punch, as it is almost equal parts alcohol and caffeine.  For that reason, I recommend probably limiting yourself to one drink per sitting.  Otherwise, you might start running laps around your house.

Below is a step-by-step guide (with pictures) on making my favorite version of the espresso martini:

Ingredients (single serving):

• 1.5 shots Vodka (I use Belvedere)
• 1 shot espresso (if you have a Nespresso machine, all the better)
• 1 shot Kahlua (one of my favorite liqueurs)
• Optional coffee bean to garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a martini glass to the brim with ice to cool it while you prepare the drink.  The colder, the better.
2. Similarly, fill a cocktail shaker to the top with ice so it’s almost overflowing.
3. Make one shot of espresso
4. Measure one and a half shots of vodka
5. Measure one shot of Kahlua
6. Pour the shots from steps 3 – 5 into the cocktail shaker
7. Place the top on the shaker and hold it above your shoulders so it’s perpendicular to your body, with one hand on the top and the other toward the bottom
8. Shake vigorously – this step is crucial because you want to create a bubbly layer of foam on the top of the drink when serving
9. Remove the ice from the martini glass and filter the contents from the shaker into the glass
10. Add a coffee bean to garnish (optional)
11. Imbibe

Cheers!