Creamy Espresso Martini with Baileys

This creamy espresso martini with Bailey's is the best espresso martini recipe! It just takes three ingredients and it's such a deliciously balanced coffee cocktail! And if you love espresso martini variations, read on to learn how to make a creamy espresso martini with no Bailey's, with Kahlua coffee liqueur, and even without espresso!

If you like this espresso martini recipe, you'll love my Coffee Cookies, my Mistletoe Margarita Recipe, and my collection of the best Christmas Gin Cocktails!

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Best Espresso Martini with Baileys

If you're a coffee lover, you've got to try this espresso martini recipe! It's the best espresso martini, with Baileys Irish Cream liqueur to make it creamier and even more delicious! It's an elegant cocktail and it's the best way to celebrate!

Best of all, it only takes three ingredients, other than the ice! Couldn't be easier! It's the perfect espresso martini for beginners!

How do you get the creamy top on an espresso martini?

The keys to getting that creamy top on your espresso martini recipe is to use freshly brewed espresso and be sure to shake the cocktail for a full 15 seconds. Then just shake the cocktail shaker as you're pouring out your martini to get all the foam out!

Is Baileys or Kahlua better for espresso martini?

We're making this creamy espresso martini with Baileys liqueur to get that creamy flavor! But one benefit of Kahlua is that it provides an espresso martini recipe with rich coffee flavor. So to get that flavor, I recommend using Bailey's Espresso Creme flavor!

Creamy Espresso Martini Recipe Ingredients

You'll only need three main ingredients for this frothy espresso martini recipe!

vodka - your favorite regular vodka is fine -- I used Ketel One Vodka. You can also use a vanilla vodka for a richer, creamier flavor!
Bailey's Irish Cream - I used the Espresso Creme flavor, which is a great way to boost the strong coffee taste - perfect for coffee lovers! If you use regular Bailey's you'll have a more subtle espresso flavor in this martini.
espresso - I recommend using fresh espresso brewed in an espresso maker -- just be sure to let it cool to room temperature before you get started. You can place it in the fridge or freezer to speed up the chilling process.
ice - to chill the cocktail while you shake it.
coffee beans - as an optional garnish.

Equipment Needed

As with any good cocktail recipe, you'll want to start with the right glass! This creamy espresso martini recipe calls for a stemmed cocktail glass, such as a martini glasses or coupe glasses.

In order to get that frothy top, you'll want to use an espresso machine to brew your espresso. I used my Nespresso mini espresso maker!

You'll also want the right bar tools for mixing your espresso martini, such as a jigger for measuring ounces and half ounces and of course, a classic cocktail shaker.

Instructions

This is a quick cocktail recipe to put together! Check the recipe card below for detailed instructions, but here are the 4 basic steps:

Combine vodka, Irish cream, and cooled espresso in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake very well to help the mixture foam up, about 15-20 seconds.

creamy espresso martini without espresso step 3

Pour into your chilled martini glass, shaking cocktail shaker a bit to maximize the foamy top.

Garnish with three coffee beans on top of your cocktail, and enjoy!

Hint: Although you want freshly brewed espresso for this recipe, it's important to let your espresso cool completely so that it doesn't melt the ice and water down your delicious cocktail.

Espresso Martini Variations

This espresso martini is the perfect drink for any occasion because it can easily be adjusted depending on what you have on hand!

Creamy Espresso Martini - No Baileys (Kahlua Creamy Version)

If you don't have Bailey's Irish cream, you can definitely make a traditional espresso martini more creamy by adding heavy cream! So in this instance, you'd substitute the Bailey's in this recipe with ½ ounce of Kahlua, ½ ounce of heavy cream, and ½ ounce of simple syrup.

Creamy Espresso Martini without Espresso

If you don't have an espresso maker, you can make this recipe with cold brew concentrate -- substitute an equal amount of cold brew concentrate for the espresso. You can also mix up a shot of espresso with instant espresso powder.

Classic Espresso Martini - Kahlua Recipe

If you'd rather make a traditional espresso martini recipe with Kahlua, you can just replace the Bailey's in this recipe with ½ ounce of Kahlua and ½ ounce of simple syrup.

And don't forget to check out my Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini or my Peppermint Espresso Martini for a fun, minty variation. And you'll also love this RumChata White Russian!

Top Tip

For best results, make sure you shake your espresso martini for a full 15-20 seconds to ensure you get that foamy top!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do they put 3 beans in espresso martinis?

The classic garnish of three coffee beans is a fun way to top off this Baileys espresso martini recipe. According to tradition, these three espresso beans represent health, wealth and happiness.

What is the white foam in an espresso martini?

The foam comes from the natural foam that tops a machine-brewed espresso, known as the crema. Adding fresh espresso to a cocktail shaker that is about half full with ice cubes allows you to aerate the mixture and make it even more foamy.

Is an espresso martini a before or after dinner drink?

This creamy espresso martini recipe is perfect anytime of the evening! But for me, it makes the perfect after-dinner drink, when a cup of coffee or espresso is customary to give guests a little boost of energy after a big meal. It's also a bit of a dessert cocktail, since it's got a rich and creamy texture and a good amount of sweetness. So it would be delicious with a slice of my Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake, my Matilda's Chocolate Cake, or my Rum Pound Cake with Brown Butter Glaze!

If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!

📖 Recipe