Cold Brew Martini with Tequila (Espresso Martini Hack)
I’m going to teach you how to make the EASIEST Cold Brew Espresso Martini at home. Made with just 3 simple ingredients and shaken together in a matter of moments this recipe for an espresso martini with tequila is the perfect cocktail for coffee lovers to serve at your next brunch!
Why You’ll Love this Tequila Espresso Martini Recipe
Make the BEST Espresso Martini with this super simple hack! No espresso machine needed!
Espresso martinis are a really popular ‘going out’ drink but I think we’re seriously missing out not making this tasty tequila cocktail at home to enjoy after dinner or over brunch with friends.
And with this stupidly easy cold brew espresso martini hack you won’t believe how easy it is to make an espresso martini at home!
Related: Tequila Martini Recipe
I think the reason people usually order this classic coffee cocktail in bars is because they have fancy coffee machines to get that fancy espresso flavor.
But by swapping in cold brew, it takes several steps out of making the recipe. It’s so quick and easy!
Combined with Kahlua for a bit of sweetness and some extra coffee flavor, plush a splash of tequila for that signature kick I think this Cold Brew Martini is a really lovely drink to sip on a weekend for any coffee lover!
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make the perfect Cold Brew Martini:
- Kahlua
- tequila
- cold brew coffee, chilled (duh!)
For the uninitiated, Kahlua is a sweet rum-based coffee liquor that is great for adding a hit of boozy coffee flavor to drinks. Any good coffee liquor with a bit of sugar in it would work in this recipe though.
I don’t need to tell you that coffee is a really strong flavor so you don’t need to worry about using your best tequila here as you would in a margarita, but you do taste it so use something you like the flavor of.
This Cimarron tequila is delicious. It’s reasonably priced and has a GREAT flavor! But Cazadores is also a great option. I used blanco but I think resposado would also be yummy.
I love Starbucks’ regular cold brew you can get at the grocery store but obviously this is your drink so go for your favorite brand. They also make “espresso blends” if you’re looking for the traditional flavor notes.
See the printable recipe card for quantities and full recipe.
Directions
Step 1
Measure all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker full of ice.
Step 2
Shake well!
Step 3
Strain into a martini glass or Nic and Nora glass (like I’m using), and serve.
Variations
- Switch out the spirit – if you’re not a tequila fan (it can be quite a strong flavor) feel free to sub in vodka or white rum instead. Spiced rum would also add another layer of flavor.
- Add vanilla – I’m just saying, if you like your drinks on the sweeter side the tiniest splash of pure vanilla extract would be delicious here.
- Make it creamy – if you don’t have any Kalhula on your bar cart you can add a little Bailey’s to your espresso martini. It will add a creaminess you’ll love. Special edition flavored Baileys, the kind they have in stores around the holidays like chocolate, espresso, tiramisu, pumpkin spice and salted caramel I think would all taste amazing.
- Add a little orange – I recently had the most delish coffee drink at a restaurant where they added a little bit of orange bitters! It was SO good and super easy to do at home.
Top tips
- Serve it in a chilled glass. For the perfect martini of any type you want to serve it in the coldest glass possible. If you have space and your glasses are not too delicate stash them in the freezer for a bit before serving. Or, to cool glasses down for a crowd add ice to each one before you start making your drinks. Remove the ice just before straining the mixed cocktails into the glasses.
- Get ahead. You can mix and chill this espresso martini ahead ready to be shaken and poured at the last minute – perfect for a low-fuss, grown-up brunch party!
Frequently Asked Questions
I think it is sweet enough from the Kahlua, but if you want a bit more sugar sweeten it with a little simple syrup.
A cinnamon stick would look really pretty, and I know mint and coffee may sound a bit strange but they pair well together so a fresh mint sprig would work too.
They’re too expensive to normally use as a cocktail garnish but if you’ve been baking with the seeds from a vanilla pod you can use the scraped-out pod as a garnish too – make sure it is sitting in the drink for an extra infusion of vanilla flavor!
While it is dairy free Kahlua is not actually vegan friendly. Apparently, it is something to do with how they refine the sugar they use? Anyway, if you need this martini to be vegan buy a bottle of Tia Maria instead which has the same ingredients as Kahlua but which is stated as suitable for vegans.
More Easy Kahlua Cocktails
- White Russian Recipe with Coffee
- Best Classic Kahlua White Russian Recipe
- Coconut White Russian Recipe with Rum
- Black Russian
- Kahlua and Cream
More Coffee Recipes
- How To Make Homemade Cinnamon Spiced Coffee
- Best Cinnamon Iced Coffee Recipe
- 25 Coffee Drinks for Christmas (that work all year long!)
- How to Make Amaretto Coffee
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An easy Cold Brew Espresso Martini to make at home
Ingredients
- 1 oz Kahlua
- 1 oz tequila use 1.5oz for a stronger drink
- 0.75 oz cold brew coffee use 1 oz if your cold brew is on the weaker side
Instructions
- Measure all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a martini glass and serve immediately .
