This bourbon espresso martini combines all the best flavors of bourbon and espresso to make the perfect espresso martini!
Brown sugar, simple syrup, coffee liqueur, orange liqueur, and a touch of vanilla bring out the best flavors in the coffee and spirit and make a sweet and well-rounded cocktail!
Bourbon espresso is such a great flavor combination, and I have always thought that bourbon is a much better spirit choice for this martini than traditional vodka. In fact, two of my favorite cocktails are bourbon and espresso cocktails, this Bourbon Espresso Old Fashioned, and this Espresso Mint Julep!
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⭐ WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE:
- Perfect for bourbon and espresso lovers! This cocktail packs a punch of both bourbon and espresso.
- A great alternative for espresso martini lovers! This cocktail has a lot of the same delicious elements as the infamous cocktail but with a bourbon twist!
- Well-rounded flavors! This cocktail combines espresso and bourbon with brown sugar, orange, and vanilla for a really dynamic cocktail!
Key Ingredients:
- Bourbon: Bourbon is the key ingredient in any old-fashioned, so using the best one that goes well with the espresso and brown sugar is key. A sweet but well-balanced bourbon is my favorite. I used Woodford Reserve for this version.
- Espresso: a single shot of freshly brewed espresso is the coffee element used in the cocktail. Using true espresso is key; I would not substitute for regular drip coffee as it's not as strong.
- Brown sugar syrup: we used a homemade brown sugar simple syrup that is 1 cup water to 1 cup brown sugar. But a store-bought version works great as well!
- Coffee Liqueur: A small amount is added to enhance and sweeten the espresso flavor.
- Orange Liqueur: Use a high-quality orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Orange and bourbon are such wonderful compliments, and this little bit of liqueur adds a wonderful nuance of flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla adds a little sweetness and brings all the flavors together to make a really rounded drink!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this recipe:
Step 1: Brew the shot of espresso.
Step 2: Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
Step 3: Add the 1 ½ ounces of bourbon, the shot of espresso, ½ ounce of coffee liqueur, ½ ounce of orange liqueur, ½ ounce of brown sugar syrup, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla and shake vigorously.
Step 4: Pour into a martini glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans.
💭 EXPERT TIPS:
Suggested Barware: Use a jigger to measure your bourbon and syrup accurately. Use a reliable cocktail shaker to mix the cocktail.
Use freshly brewed espresso and shake the shaker vigorously to get that signature espresso martini foam.
Make your own syrup: making your own brown sugar syrup is so easy and cost-effective. Just cook 1 cup water and 1 cup brown sugar until all the sugar has melted, then let cool.
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Bourbon Espresso Martini
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: American
Description
This bourbon espresso martini combines all the best flavors of bourbon and espresso to make the perfect espresso martini!
Brown sugar, simple syrup, coffee liqueur, orange liqueur, and a touch of vanilla bring out the best flavors in the coffee and spirit and make a sweet and well-rounded cocktail!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces bourbon
- 1 shot of freshly brewed espresso (about 1.5 ounces)
- ½ ounce coffee liqueur
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce brown sugar syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Brew the shot of espresso.
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Add 1 ½ ounces of bourbon, a shot of espresso, ½ ounce of coffee liqueur, ½ ounce of orange liqueur, ½ ounce of brown sugar syrup, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Pour into a martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans.
Elizabeth says
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