Rum Espresso Martini Recipe with Dark or Spiced Rum

The best rum espresso martini recipe is so easy! Espresso, rum and coffee liqueur make such an amazing combination for rum martini recipes! You can also make a spiced rum espresso martini. Try this espresso rum martini recipe for your next party!

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Classic rum espresso martini topped with coffee beans and dusted crema, photographed in elegant glassware.

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And if you like this espresso martini with rum, definitely try my Espresso Martini with Baileys, my Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, and my Mistletoe Margarita!

Best Rum Espresso Martini Recipe

If you love the classic espresso martini but want something a little more indulgent, you’ve got to try this rum espresso martini. Instead of vodka, we’re using rum, which adds warm, caramel notes and a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with bold espresso!

Where my original peppermint espresso martini recipe uses peppermint vodka, this espresso rum martini recipe uses dark rum! It gives it a deeper flavor, and rum and coffee liqueur go together so well.

Tall glass of rum espresso martini with frothy crema layer and coffee bean garnish, styled on a marble surface.

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Best Rum Espresso Martini Recipe
Can I use rum instead of vodka in an espresso martini?
Ingredients
Equipment
How to make espresso martinis with rum?
Spiced Rum Espresso Martini Recipe
Can I make a white rum espresso martini?
Do I need espresso to make an espresso martini with rum?
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Tip
Related
Pairing
📖 Recipe
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Can I use rum instead of vodka in an espresso martini?

Of course you can! Rum martini recipes are not as common as vodka ones, but the richness of dark rum makes them so smooth. Rum brings a natural sweetness with hints of caramel, vanilla, and spice that pair perfectly with coffee. And this is the best rum espresso martini recipe you'll find!

Ingredients

You can find the full list of ingredient measurements in the recipe card below, but here's a quick look at what you'll need for this rum espresso martini recipe:

dark rum - I used Bacardi Black to whip up this rum martini recipe, but any dark rum works! If you prefer spiced rum, that works too!
coffee liqueur - I recommend Mr. Black, but any coffee liqueur works well.
Licor 43 - this sweet liqueur has hints of vanilla, citrus, and herbs and balances out the espresso, rum and coffee liqueur perfectly!
espresso - you'll want to use freshly brewed espresso made with a Nespresso or an espresso machine if possible. But otherwise you can prepare 1.5 fluid ounces of Nescafe Instant Espresso. Just use 2 teaspoons of the instant espresso with 3 tablespoons of warm water and stir to dissolve!
ice - so important for the best rum espresso martini recipe! The ice froths up the mixture and dilutes it slightly for the perfect balance of flavors.
cinnamon and coffee beans - for garnish. The dusting of ground cinnamon complements the coffee flavors so well, and the traditional three coffee beans on top symbolize health, wealth, and happiness.

Elegant rum espresso martini in a coupe glass with coffee beans scattered around on the table.

Equipment

To brew fresh espresso, you'll need an espresso machine if possible, but I just use my Nespresso. If you don't have either, check the recipe card for some substitutions!

You'll also need a cocktail shaker to mix up your espresso rum martini, and an elegant cocktail glass. Here are the cocktail glasses I used in these photos!

How to make espresso martinis with rum?

The recipe card below will give you detailed step-by-step instructions and a recipe video! But here are the basic steps you'll follow to make an espresso martini recipe with rum:

Pouring dark rum into a cocktail shaker to make a spiced rum espresso martini.

Add Licor 43, espresso, rum, and coffee liqueur to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shaking a cocktail shaker to create the frothy top for a rum espresso martini.

Cover and shake very vigorously for at least 15-20 seconds.

Pouring shaken espresso cocktail into a glass for a rum espresso martini.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, shaking gently to get all the foam out.

Garnishing a rum espresso martini with coffee beans on top of the frothy crema layer.

Sprinkle the top of the drink with a dusting of cinnamon and garnish with coffee beans.

Hint: I used a fine-mesh sieve to get that light dusting of cinnamon.

Spiced Rum Espresso Martini Recipe

If you're wondering "Can I use spiced rum, or will it be too sweet?" Yes, you can, and it’s often delicious. Spiced rum tends to be sweeter and more aromatic, so you might not need as much simple syrup (or sugar) if your rum already has strong flavor.

Can I make a white rum espresso martini?

You can, of course, but it's not my personal preference. I just love how the richer flavor of dark rum or spiced rum works with the coffee and liqueurs! That said, you can definitely make a white rum espresso martini using white rum or light rum. It'll just have a milder flavor.

Do I need espresso to make an espresso martini with rum?

No you don't! It's true that for best results and the best rum espresso martini recipe, you'll want to use freshly brewed espresso made with a Nespresso or an espresso machine if possible.

But if you don't have either, you can prepare 1.5 fluid ounces of Nescafe Instant Espresso -- just use 2 teaspoons of the instant espresso with 3 tablespoons of warm water and stir to dissolve. If you're in a pinch, you can use cold brew concentrate, but you won't get that foamy top that we all look for in an espresso martini recipe.

Overhead view of a rum espresso martini with frothy crema dusted with cinnamon and topped with coffee beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a rum espresso martini without espresso?

Yes, you can use cold brew concentrate, but espresso gives the best crema and froth. I would opt for Nescafe Instant Espresso if you don't have a Nespresso or an espresso machine!

What kind of rum is best?

Dark rum is great because it adds richness and depth. Spiced rum can also work well in rum martini recipes, giving notes like vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg to this rum espresso martini recipe. You can also make a white rum espresso martini, or use a specifically Jamaican rum for a Jamaican rum espresso martini!

Do I need simple syrup?

Not for this recipe -- I find that the sweetness from the liqueurs is plenty to balance out the rum and espresso. But if you like your rum martini extra sweet, feel free to add a little simple syrup (my cardamom syrup is a great one) or add a dash to your freshly brewed espresso!

How do I get the frothy top on a rum espresso martini?

Start with a chilled glass, and shake your rum espresso martini very well with the ice -- about 30 seconds. It also helps to use fresh espresso because the shaking pulls oils from the espresso and helps form that foam.

Can you make a martini with rum?

Yes, you can make a martini with rum, even though the classic martini is made with gin or vodka. A martini with rum has a smoother, slightly sweeter flavor, and it works especially well in variations like the rum espresso martini.

By swapping vodka for rum, you get warm caramel notes that balance beautifully with espresso and coffee liqueur, making it a perfect after-dinner cocktail.

Will using rum change how strong the cocktail is?

Rum can bring additional flavors (sweetness, spice) that might mask the alcohol a bit more than vodka, depending on the rum you use. But the alcohol content is similar if you use the same volume.

Can this drink be made ahead of time, or should it be shaken fresh?

This rum martini recipe is best shaken fresh. The espresso crema (foam) degrades quickly, and the flavor of the espresso is stronger when made it's made right before serving. If prepping in advance, mix the liquids except ice and espresso, then add and shake ice + espresso just before serving.

Why don’t bartenders like espresso martinis?

Many bartenders joke about not liking espresso martinis because they take extra work during a busy shift. You need to pull a fresh shot of espresso, shake it hard with ice, and then strain it perfectly to get that signature frothy top—all while other drink orders are piling up.

But at home, making an espresso martini (especially this rum espresso martini recipe) is much easier and way more fun, since you’re only making one or two at a time!

What do the three coffee beans mean on an espresso martini?

The three coffee beans on top of an espresso martini are a traditional garnish that symbolize health, wealth, and happiness. It’s an Italian tradition borrowed from sambuca, and it adds a little extra elegance to the drink.

In this rum espresso martini recipe, the beans not only look great against the frothy crema, but they also provide a subtle aroma of roasted coffee with every sip!

Top Tip

Make sure you shake your espresso martini for the full 15-20 seconds to get that creamy foam on top!

Looking for other recipes like this espresso martini recipe? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe:

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