This Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini is a rich and frothy recipe, which is the perfect way to create a bar-quality cocktail at home using your favorite TJ’s ingredients. It’s a sophisticated and energizing drink, ready in just 5 minutes, perfect for a pre-dinner pick-me-up or a dessert cocktail.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Espresso Martini Ingredients
- 2 oz Trader Joe’s Vodka of the Gods (or your favorite vodka)
- 1 oz fresh, hot espresso (brewed from Trader Joe’s Italian Roast Espresso Beans)
- 0.75 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlua)
- 0.25 oz vanilla syrup (or simple syrup)
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: Three coffee beans
How To Make a Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini
- Prepare Your Espresso and Glass: Brew a fresh, hot shot of espresso. While it’s brewing, place your martini glass in the freezer to chill. A very cold glass is key to a crisp cocktail.
- Combine the Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with a generous handful of ice cubes. Pour in the vodka, the hot espresso, the coffee liqueur, and the vanilla syrup.
- Shake Vigorously: Seal the shaker tightly and shake it as hard as you can for about 15–20 seconds. The shaker should become ice-cold to the touch. This is the most important step for creating the signature creamy foam.
- Strain and Garnish: Immediately double strain the mixture (using the shaker’s built-in strainer and a small, fine-mesh strainer) into your chilled martini glass. This removes any small ice shards for a perfectly smooth texture. Garnish by floating three coffee beans on top of the foam.
Recipe Tips
- How to get a perfect creamy foam? The secret is the shake! You must shake the cocktail shaker very vigorously with plenty of ice. The agitation of the hot espresso’s natural oils (the crema) with the cold ingredients is what creates the thick, stable, and creamy foam on top.
- Why use hot espresso? Using a freshly brewed, hot shot of espresso is a key bartender’s trick. The temperature contrast with the ice creates more dilution and a better emulsification, leading to a much better foam than using cold brew or chilled espresso.
- Why double strain? Double straining (pouring through both the shaker’s strainer and a second, fine-mesh sieve) is a professional technique that ensures your final cocktail is perfectly smooth and free of any tiny ice crystals that could water it down.
- Can I make my own vanilla syrup? Yes, easily! Just gently heat equal parts sugar and water until the sugar has dissolved. Let it cool, and then stir in a splash of Trader Joe’s Pure Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
What To Serve With an Espresso Martini
This is a classic cocktail that is a perfect standalone drink. It is often served as:
- A pre-dinner “pick-me-up” to energize guests.
- A sophisticated dessert cocktail to end a meal.
- Alongside a simple, not-too-sweet treat like a piece of dark chocolate or an almond biscotti.
How To Store an Espresso Martini
- Best Served Fresh: An espresso martini is a shaken cocktail that is at its absolute best when it is served immediately, while it is ice-cold and the foam is at its peak. It does not store well.
Espresso Martini Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 235 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 0g
- Fat: 0g
- Sugar: 11g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
This is the most common issue. The three main culprits are: 1) You didn’t shake it hard enough. 2) Your espresso was old or cold and had no “crema.” 3) You didn’t use enough ice in your shaker. You need to shake it with force!
Yes. If you don’t have a shaker, a large glass jar with a very tight-fitting lid, like a mason jar, works perfectly as a substitute. Just make sure it’s sealed very well before you start shaking.
You can, and Trader Joe’s Cold Brew Concentrate is a great option for a quick version. However, you will get a much better and thicker foam by using a shot of hot, fresh espresso.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Egg Bites Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Style Crunchy Coleslaw Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Fried Calamari Recipe
Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings5
minutes235
kcalA simple guide to making a perfect, bar-quality espresso martini at home, featuring a rich coffee flavor and a signature creamy foam.
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1 oz fresh, hot espresso
0.75 oz coffee liqueur
0.25 oz vanilla syrup
Ice
3 coffee beans, for garnish
Directions
- Brew a shot of hot espresso and chill a martini glass in the freezer.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the vodka, hot espresso, coffee liqueur, and vanilla syrup to the shaker.
- Seal it tightly and shake very hard for 15-20 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Double strain the mixture into the chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with three coffee beans and serve immediately.
Notes
- Shake it Hard: The most important tip for a perfect espresso martini is a vigorous, hard shake. This is non-negotiable and is the secret to creating the thick, creamy foam on top.
- Use Hot Espresso: For the best foam, use a freshly brewed, hot shot of espresso. The temperature contrast helps create a better emulsion and a creamier head.
- Chill Your Glass: A frosty, chilled martini glass is a simple professional touch that keeps your cocktail perfectly cold from the first sip to the last.
