Elevate Your Espresso Martini Game: The Ultimate Guide to Coffee-Infused Cocktails

The espresso martini has taken center stage in cocktail culture, evolving beyond the classic recipe into a luxurious experience with bold innovations. Whether you prefer a smooth, coffee-forward profile or a spicy, tequila-infused twist, these expertly crafted cocktails featuring Kamora Coffee Liqueur, Cantera Negra, Ghost Tequila, and Grand Brulot offer something for every refined palate. Just in time for National Espresso Martini Day on March 15, here’s your guide to mastering the ultimate coffee cocktails.

The Midnight Whisper

A sophisticated take on an "adult iced coffee," this drink combines deep, roasted coffee notes with bourbon, chocolate, and orange zest.

Ingredients:

• 0.50 oz Kamora Coffee Liqueur

• 1.5 oz Fresh Unsweetened Espresso

• 1.5 oz Douglas & Todd Bourbon

• 0.25 oz Trader Vic’s Chocolate Liqueur

• A few dashes of Classic Angostura Bitters

• Condensed Milk Drizzle

• Orange Zest & Shaved Dark Chocolate for garnish

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients and strain over fresh ice in a glass drizzled with condensed milk. Garnish with orange zest and shaved dark chocolate.

Why It Works:

Kamora’s bold, dark-roasted coffee flavor complements the smooth bourbon and rich chocolate notes, creating a velvety and bittersweet finish.

For those looking to add a sophisticated tequila touch to their espresso martini, Cantera Negra’s additive-free, ultra-premium tequilas bring depth, richness, and versatility to coffee cocktails.

Noche Negra

A refined espresso martini elevated by Cantera Negra Café, this cocktail is bold, smooth, and irresistibly balanced.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Cantera Negra Silver Tequila

• 1 part Espresso (or Cold Brew Concentrate)

• 0.75 part Cantera Negra Café

• 0.25 part Simple Syrup

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Dulce Noche

A creamy, indulgent twist on the classic espresso martini, this drink leans into Mexican-inspired dessert flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Cantera Negra Café

• 2 parts Espresso

• 0.25 part Sweetened Condensed Milk

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients with ice and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon powder.

Café Agave Old Fashioned

Merging two beloved classics—the Espresso Martini and the Old Fashioned—this cocktail delivers rich coffee depth with a touch of citrus and chocolate bitters.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 parts Cantera Negra Reposado Tequila

• 0.5 part Cantera Negra Café

• 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters

• Orange Peel for garnish

Instructions:

Stir ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel.

Café Helado

A tropical espresso martini variation featuring banana liqueur, rum, and ice cream for a decadent dessert cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 parts Rum

• 1 part Cantera Negra Café

• 0.5 part Banana Liqueur

• 1 large scoop Vanilla Ice Cream

• Dark Chocolate for garnish

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients with ice until the ice cream fully melts. Strain into a coupe glass and grate dark chocolate on top.

Cantera Coffee

For a hot coffee cocktail that’s smooth, creamy, and tequila-forward, Cantera Coffee is the perfect fireside sip.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Cantera Negra Café

• 1 part Cantera Negra Silver Tequila

• Top with Hot Coffee

• Float Heavy Cream

• Garnish with Cinnamon or Espresso Beans

Instructions:

Build ingredients in a glass mug, top with hot coffee, and float heavy cream. Garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or whole espresso beans.

For those who prefer a kick of heat in their cocktails, Ghost Tequila’s Spicy Espresso Martini delivers an electrifying combination of smooth coffee, tequila, and subtle spice.

Spicy Espresso Martini

A bold and fiery take on the classic, with spicy reposado tequila, coffee liqueur, and agave syrup for a well-balanced heat.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Ghost Reposado Tequila

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 2 oz Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

• 0.5 oz Agave Syrup

• 3 Espresso Beans & a Chocolate Sugar Rim

Instructions:

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass with a chocolate sugar rim. Garnish with three espresso beans.

Why It Works:

Ghost Tequila’s balanced spice and smooth finish add depth and warmth, creating a fiery yet approachable espresso martini.

For those who appreciate the depth of aged spirits in their coffee cocktails, Grand Brulot brings a distinguished French touch to the espresso martini. This premium VSOP Cognac and coffee liqueur fusion enhances the classic recipe with a smooth yet complex character, offering notes of dark roasted coffee, vanilla, and warm spices.

Grand Brulot Espresso Martini

A refined take on the espresso martini, this cocktail seamlessly blends the bold intensity of espresso with the velvety richness of French Cognac, creating an indulgent sip that’s both aromatic and elegantly smooth.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Grand Brulot

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso

• 0.5 oz Amaretto or Vanilla Syrup

Instructions:

Using a cocktail shaker, combine Grand Brulot, espresso, and your preferred liqueur. Shake vigorously at least 25 times with ice to achieve a smooth, frothy texture. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish:

• A few cracked espresso beans

• An elegant orange twist

Why It Works:

Grand Brulot’s signature blend of aged Cognac and 100% Robusta coffee beans introduces a nuanced balance of caramel, spice, and deep espresso notes, elevating the espresso martini into a luxurious, slow-sipping indulgence. The result? A cocktail that’s both bold and sophisticated, perfect for those who prefer their coffee cocktails with a refined French edge.

Whether you prefer a smooth and indulgent classic, a tequila twist, or a spicy, bold variation, these recipes celebrate the espresso martini’s evolution with luxurious, high-quality ingredients.

Cheers to National Espresso Martini Day—shake, sip, and celebrate in style

Also Read:

The Martini Renaissance: How Chefs and Bartenders Are Redefining a Classic Cocktail