Coffee lovers will obsess over my Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini recipe! This recipe includes a few simple ingredients like coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, and Irish cream, and instead of regular vodka, I use vanilla vodka! My vanilla espresso martini is a better way to enjoy your favorite caffeinated martini with a delicious hint of vanilla. Plus, it has a frothy top that is oh-so-delicious and foamy!

Two coupe glasses filled with espresso martini with vanilla vodka and topped with chocolate covered espresso bean shavings, a gold ice bucket, and a silver cocktail shaker, all on a gold and black beverage tray.

This espresso martini recipe with vanilla vodka would pair perfectly with some warm chocolate chip cookies! For an extra decadent evening, try my No-Chill Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies. Trust me, the best way to enjoy these espresso martinis with vanilla vodka is with a delicious hot chocolate chip cookie! Oh, and if you’re a fan of martinis, check out my Easy Lemon Drop Martini With Limoncello Cocktail Recipe!

Nothing says holiday season like a round of creamy espresso martinis shared among friends. Last year, I had a group of friends over and made them all my espresso martini recipe (I didn’t enjoy it because I was pregnant then). To this day, they are raving about my vanilla vodka espresso martini, which is the absolute perfect after-dinner drink! This is one of everyone’s favorite cocktails, and I’m finally sharing the secret: vanilla! When serving a crowd, I like to make the batch ahead in a carafe and keep it in the fridge. Then, I will use a cocktail shaker to shake each drink individually when someone wants one. This way, you still get the delicious frothy espresso martini!

Why You’ll Love this Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini
Ingredients
Substitutions
How To Make Your Own Vanilla Vodka For The Perfect Vanilla Espresso Martini at Home
Step by Step Instructions
Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini Tips and Tricks
Recipe FAQs
Serving Suggestions

Two martini coupes filled with espresso martini with vanilla vodka, topped with chocolate covered espresso beans, on a black and gold tray, with a gold ice bucket and a silver cocktail shaker.

Why You’ll Love this Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini

It’s the perfect after-dinner drink – A delicious, frothy espresso martini made with vanilla vodka is a great way to end your evening. The creamy foam is delicious and the martini is a little bitter and sweet. They’re perfect for when you want something with a little caffeine kick!
It has a foamy top – No egg white is needed, here! My vanilla vodka espresso martini has a nice frothy top thanks to some aggressive shaking! Grab your metal cocktail shaker, and some ice cubes, and get shaking for a velvety, creamy top.

Icy coupe filled with espresso martini with vanilla vodka, on a marble counter with a gold ice bucket on a gold and black beverage tray in background. Drink has chocolate covered espresso bean shavings ontop.

Ingredients

Vanilla vodka – Infusing a subtle and sweet warmth, the vanilla vodka adds a rich depth to the cocktail, elevating its flavor profile. Plus, you can make homemade vanilla vodka easily with my tips below!
Bailey’s Irish cream – Adding a creamy and indulgent twist, Bailey’s Irish Cream imparts a luscious texture and a subtle hint of vanilla. The flavors complement the cocktail’s espresso coffee base.
Kahúa – The velvety and complex coffee liqueur, Kahlúa, enhances the cocktail with its deep coffee flavor and a hint of sweetness, contributing to the overall decadence of the vanilla espresso martini.
Espresso – The star of the show, a bold and robust shot of fresh espresso provides the vanilla espresso martini with a powerful caffeine kick! It also gives the espresso martini a rich coffee flavor.
Chocolate-covered espresso beans – Grating chocolate-covered espresso beans over a vanilla vodka espresso martini provides a beautiful garnish. The espresso beans also give a rich chocolatey flavor to each sip – yum!

Substitutions

Cold brew – No espresso machine? No problem! You can use cold brew for this recipe – the coffee flavor won’t be as strong as it would be with a shot of espresso, but you’ll still end up with a delicious coffee cocktail! If you want, you can also order a few espressos from your local coffee shop! I promise whichever route you take, this will be the perfect espresso martini!
instant coffee – Opting for instant coffee instead of espresso in a vanilla vodka espresso martini offers a convenient solution without compromising the cocktail’s robust coffee flavor, making it an accessible choice for a quick and enjoyable drink.
Regular vodka – If you don’t have vanilla vodka on hand, you can use regular vodka. This drink would end up more like a classic espresso martini cocktail, but it would still be delicious.

Straight on shot of a silver cocktail shaker and a gold ice bucket on a gold beverage tray (circular) on a marble countertop.

How To Make Your Own Vanilla Vodka For The Perfect Vanilla Espresso Martini at Home

Making vanilla-infused vodka is a simple and rewarding process. Here are the steps to create your own batch:

Ingredients:

1 bottle of vodka (750 ml)
2-3 vanilla beans

Instructions:

Choose high-quality vodka – Select a good-quality vodka for the base. The neutral flavor of vodka allows the vanilla to shine through.
Prepare vanilla beans – Slit the vanilla beans lengthwise, exposing the tiny seeds inside. This helps release the flavors and aromas.
Combine vodka and vanilla beans – Place the slit vanilla beans into the vodka bottle. You can drop them whole or cut them into smaller pieces for more surface area contact. If you’re using a separate container, ensure it has a tight-sealing lid.
Seal and shake – Seal the vodka bottle or container tightly and give it a good shake. This ensures that the vanilla beans are evenly distributed and immersed in the vodka.
Store in a cool, dark place – Place the sealed bottle or container in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry. Let it infuse for at least 1-2 weeks, shaking the container occasionally to mix the ingredients.
Taste testing – After the initial infusion period, taste the vanilla vodka. If you’re satisfied with the strength of the vanilla flavor, you can strain out the vanilla beans. If not, you can continue infusing for an additional week or two.
Strain and bottle – Once you’re happy with the flavor, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the vanilla beans from the vodka. You can transfer the infused vodka back into its original bottle or use a new, clean container.
Add fresh vanilla beans (optional) – Add fresh vanilla bean seeds to the final bottle for an extra touch. This won’t continue to infuse the vodka but can add visual appeal and a subtle hint of fresh vanilla.
Store and enjoy – Seal the bottle tightly and store your homemade vanilla-infused vodka in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place. It’s now ready to use in your favorite cocktails or enjoyed alone.

Experiment with different vanilla bean varieties and infusion times to customize the flavor to your liking. Homemade vanilla-infused vodka makes a fantastic gift and adds a unique twist to various delicious cocktails.

Step by Step Instructions

Upclose shot of open silver cocktail shaker open and filled with ice and mixed espresso martini with vanilla vodka, angled and with the opening towards the camera.

Step 1: First, add all of your ingredients (except for the chocolate-covered espresso beans, if using) to a cocktail shaker in this order: ice cubes, vanilla vodka, Bailey’s Irish cream, Kahlúa, and espresso.

Silver cocktail shaker being held by one hand being shook up close to camera.

Step 2: Cap the cocktail shaker (mason jar, or whatever you use to shake your cocktails) and shake vigorously for 45 seconds – one minute. It’s a long time to shake, but trust me, it’s worth it for the perfectly foamy top!

Icy coupe on a marble counter with a gold ice bucket on a gold and black beverage tray in background. Silver cocktail shaker pouring espresso martini with vanilla vodka into coupe.

Step 3: Pour and serve in a chilled martini glass.

Step 4: Use a microplane to grate chocolate-covered espresso beans on top if you’d like. Enjoy!

Upclose shot of two martini coupes, one in front of the other, filled with espresso martini with vanilla vodka, and both topped with chocolate covered espresso bean shavings.

Vanilla Vodka Espresso Martini Tips and Tricks

Freshly brewed espresso – Whenever possible, use freshly brewed espresso for the best flavor. If you don’t have an espresso machine, strong coffee can be a suitable substitute.
Use cold espresso – To avoid melting your ice cubes, use cold espresso or cold brew coffee. In order to make a good espresso martini, you want to avoid the ice melting and diluting the cocktail.
Quality ingredients matter – Start with high-quality vodka, fresh espresso or strong coffee, and premium coffee liqueurs. The better the ingredients, the better your espresso martini will taste.
Chill your glassware – Place martini glasses in the freezer or fill them with ice water while preparing the cocktail. A chilled martini glass enhances the overall drinking experience.
Serve immediately – An espresso martini is at its best when served fresh. Aim to serve it immediately after preparation to enjoy the full spectrum of flavors and the frothy top.

Recipe FAQs

While it’s best served fresh, you can pre-mix the vodka and coffee components and keep them chilled. Shake with ice just before serving to achieve the desired frothiness.

Place the martini glass in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes before serving for a frosty touch.

Shaking gives a frothier texture, while stirring results in a smoother and clearer drink. Choose based on your preference.

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with chocolate or coffee beans – Add a touch of elegance by garnishing the drink with chocolate-covered espresso beans, a few whole coffee beans, or a sprinkle of grated dark chocolate. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also introduces extra flavor!
Cocoa powder dusting – Dust the surface of the cocktail with a light sprinkle of cocoa powder for a subtle and inviting aroma. This adds a delightful touch without overwhelming the drink.
Vanilla bean swirl 0 For a sophisticated presentation, give the inside of the glass a quick swirl with a vanilla bean before pouring the cocktail. This imparts a subtle vanilla essence to each sip.
Serve with desserts – Pair your espresso martini with a dessert course, such as chocolate mousse, tiramisu, or a rich flourless chocolate cake. The complementary flavors create a harmonious and indulgent dining experience.
Coffee bean-infused whipped cream – Top the espresso martini with a dollop of coffee bean-infused whipped cream. Simply whip cream with crushed coffee beans to add a luscious and aromatic layer to the cocktail.

Please leave a review below if you make this recipe! And, don’t forget to follow @seasonedandsalted on Instagram!