To make an espresso martini with Baileys, shake 1 oz (30 ml) vodka, 1 oz Baileys Irish Cream, ½ oz (15 ml) coffee liqueur and 1 oz (30 ml) fresh espresso hard with ice for 15–20 seconds, then strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Baileys makes the drink creamier and a little sweeter than the classic espresso martini, with a velvety foam on top.
This recipe makes one cocktail. Please drink responsibly and only if you are of legal drinking age.
Ingredients
- 1 oz (30 ml) vodka
- 1 oz (30 ml) Baileys Irish Cream
- ½ oz (15 ml) coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- 1 oz (30 ml) freshly brewed espresso (one single shot)
- Ice
- 3 coffee beans to garnish, or a dusting of cocoa
- Optional: ¼ oz (7 ml) simple syrup for a sweeter drink
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (or a jar with a tight lid)
- Strainer, ideally a fine-mesh strainer too
- Chilled coupe or martini glass
- Espresso machine, moka pot or another way to make strong coffee
Espresso martini with Baileys: step by step
- Chill your glass. Put it in the freezer for 10 minutes, or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
- Brew the espresso. Pull a single shot, for example 9 g of coffee for about 18–20 g of espresso. Let it cool for a minute so it does not melt too much ice. See our guide to making espresso at home if you are new to it.
- Fill the shaker with ice, about two thirds full.
- Add the liquids: vodka, Baileys, coffee liqueur and espresso. Add simple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- Shake hard for 15–20 seconds. Vigorous shaking creates the signature foam.
- Double strain into the chilled glass through the shaker strainer and a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth texture.
- Garnish with three coffee beans on the foam.
How to get a thick foam
- Use fresh espresso. The natural oils and gases in fresh espresso help create foam. Cold brew or old coffee makes a flatter drink.
- Shake hard with plenty of ice. Large, hard ice cubes work best.
- Try a dry shake. Shake without ice for 10 seconds first, then add ice and shake again. Some bartenders swear by it for extra foam.
- Do not over-dilute. Strain right after shaking.
Baileys adds cream, so the foam on this version is softer and denser than on the classic.
Classic espresso martini vs Baileys version
| Classic | With Baileys | |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | About 1½ oz (45–50 ml) | 1 oz (30 ml) |
| Coffee liqueur | About ¾–1 oz (20–30 ml) | ½ oz (15 ml) |
| Baileys | None | 1 oz (30 ml) |
| Espresso | 1 oz (30 ml) | 1 oz (30 ml) |
| Taste | Bold, bittersweet | Creamy, dessert-like |
No espresso machine?
- Moka pot: use 1 oz of strong moka pot coffee.
- AeroPress: brew a concentrated shot with about 15 g of coffee and 60 g of water, then use 1 oz.
- Instant espresso: dissolve 1–2 teaspoons in 1 oz of hot water. Foam will be lighter.
- Cold brew concentrate: works in a pinch, but the foam is thinner.
Variations
- Salted caramel: use Baileys Salted Caramel and rim the glass with a pinch of flaky salt.
- Chocolate: add ¼ oz crème de cacao and dust with cocoa.
- Vanilla: use vanilla vodka.
- Lower alcohol: skip the vodka and use 1½ oz Baileys with ½ oz coffee liqueur.
- Decaf: use decaf espresso for an after-dinner drink with almost no caffeine. See our guide to decaf espresso.
- Dairy-free: swap Baileys for a dairy-free Irish cream alternative.
For non-alcoholic shaken coffee drinks, try our brown sugar shaken espresso or browse our espresso drink recipes.
Make it for a party
Mix the vodka, Baileys and coffee liqueur ahead in a bottle and keep it in the fridge. Pull espresso shots shortly before serving, let them cool for a minute, then shake each drink with ice to order. Each cocktail needs its own shake for proper foam.
A note on caffeine and alcohol
One espresso martini contains a single shot of espresso, about 63 mg of caffeine. Caffeine can make you feel more alert, but it does not reduce the effects of alcohol. Pace yourself, drink water, and never drink and drive.
FAQ
Can you make an espresso martini with Baileys and no vodka?
Yes. Use 1½ oz Baileys, ½ oz coffee liqueur and 1 oz espresso for a lower-alcohol, creamier drink.
Why doesn’t my espresso martini have foam?
Usually the espresso is not fresh, or the drink was not shaken hard enough. Use freshly brewed espresso and shake vigorously with plenty of ice.
Can I use cold brew instead of espresso?
Yes, but the foam will be thinner and the coffee flavor less intense. Use cold brew concentrate if possible.
Can I make it ahead?
You can pre-mix the alcohol, but brew the espresso and shake each drink just before serving for the best foam.
What glass should I use?
A chilled coupe or martini glass is traditional. A small rocks glass works too.
