Treat yourself to a Baileys espresso martini—creamy, rich, and simply delicious. It's the perfect blend of coffee and spirits in a 4-ingredient holiday treat. Shake one up and enjoy!
This Baileys Espresso Martini is the perfect cocktail for the holiday season. A traditional espresso martini is given a creamy twist with the addition of Baileys Irish Cream!
It's essentially a nighttime Irish coffee—with vodka, fresh espresso, Baileys, and a little coffee liqueur. Make it even more Irish by using Irish whiskey in place of vodka. It's a delicious take on the classic espresso martini with a more creamy texture and a less strong flavour. So if you typically find espresso martinis strong, you'll like this version.
Not to mention the delicious thick foam on top. I'll give you all the tips and tricks for a gorgeous espresso martini foam.
Prepared in 3 minutes from just 4 ingredients, this delicious Irish cream espresso martini is the perfect drink for when you need a pick-me-up during the holidays or around St. Patrick's Day! It is easily made gluten-free and dairy-free, so it's perfect to share with all of your coffee lovers to get into the holiday spirit.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A delicious holiday cocktail. The perfect festive martini for the holiday season. It's also perfect for St. Paddy's Day!
- Creamy espresso martini with gorgeous foam. This beautiful cocktail is sure to be a showstopper.
- Less strong than a typical espresso martini. I find the Baileys mellows out the alcohol taste.
- Uses common bar ingredients. The espresso martini is a classic cocktail. If you like them already, you definitely have most of the ingredients. Plus there's no need for specialty alcohols here.
- Made in 3 minutes. Just shake and enjoy!
- This recipe is easily made gluten-free and dairy-free!
Want more martini recipes? Try my peppermint mocha espresso martini, chai espresso martini, pumpkin spice espresso martini, sugar cookie martini, gingerbread espresso martini.
Ingredient Notes
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this Baileys espresso martini:
- Vodka: This is the perfect neutral flavour for an espresso martini. Make this cocktail more Irish for St. Paddy's Day by using Irish whiskey instead!
- Espresso: It must be a fresh, yet cooled shot of espresso to achieve the nice foam on top! I make mine from a nespresso machine, but I hear instant espresso or cold brew concentrate can also work, with potentially less foam.
- Baileys: I love the creamy flavor this gives the martini. Use milk or heavy cream if you don't have Baileys. They make an almond milk Baileys if you are dairy-free.
- Kahlúa: Coffee liqueur gives more coffee flavor and sweetness.
- Ice: For shaking. Use a lot of medium size ice to aerate the foam.
- 3 coffee beans for a classic espresso martini garnish.
Substitutions
There are several ways to change up this cocktail. Here are some substitution suggestions:
- Change the spirit. Try Irish whiskey, bourbon, gin, or your favourite spirit in place of the vodka.
- Try flavored vodka. Peppermint vodka or vanilla vodka would be delicious in this drink. Or add a splash of chocolate liqueur too.
- For gluten-free. This drink is naturally gluten-free. Just check your alcohol bottles for any strange ingredients.
- For dairy-free and vegan. Instead of Baileys, you could use their Almond Milk Baileys, or simply coconut cream, almond milk, or another dairy-free alternative.
- Adjust sweetness. You can add more or less kahlúa depending on your taste preferences. Or add a splash of simple syrup if you like sweeter cocktails.
- Top with a swirl of whipped cream for more creamy deliciousness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.
(1) Add all of the espresso martini ingredients plus 6-8 medium size ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.
(2) Close tightly and shake hard for 30-60 seconds until the outside is frosty.
(3) Strain into a a chilled coupe glass or martini glass.
(4) Garnish with 3 coffee beans. Enjoy responsibly!
What to Serve with a Baileys Espresso Martini
This Baileys espresso martini is the perfect cocktail for the holidays. Enjoy at Thanksgiving or Christmas with all your friends and family. Heck, you may need it as a mid-meal pick-me-up! It's also perfect for St. Paddy's Day, since Baileys comes from Ireland!🍀 Here are some of my holiday faves to go with it:
- Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
- Gluten Free White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies
- Chocolate Amaretti Cookies
- White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Gluten Free White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Gingerbread Espresso Martini
- Winter Aperol Spritz
- Sugar Cookie Martini
- Lambrusco Spritz
- Chai Espresso Martini
Check out more Holiday recipes!
Make Ahead & Storage
Note that this cocktail recipe is best served and consumed fresh after preparing. It should not be made ahead of time, nor stored for later.
Batching
Because they need to be shaken to achieve the beautiful foam on top, espresso martinis are tricky to batch. The most you can likely fit in your cocktail shaker is 2 drinks. Be patient if making for a crowd.
Expert Tips
Here are some of my top tips and tricks for a successful espresso martini:
- Place your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before you make the drink.
- Use freshly machine-brewed (but cool) espresso for a foamy top. The crema on top of freshly brewed espresso is what contributes to the classic foam on top of an espresso martini. Instant coffee or cold brew will still give you the flavour, but less foam.
- Make it more Irish for St. Paddy's Day by using Irish whiskey instead of vodka!
- Add a splash of milk or cream instead of Baileys if you wish.
- Use lots of ice to produce the best foam. I use 8 standard medium ice cubes for 1 drink. Using lots is important so you don't melt and dilute the drink. Great foam is also made from aerating the drink by shaking hard with ice.
- Shake the cocktail extra hard for the beautiful foam. Until the shaker is frosty, about 60 seconds.
- Pour the drink quickly, so the foam settles on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, most distilled alcohols are in fact gluten-free and safe for celiacs due to the distillation process. As always, read the label on your vodka. I use Titos, as it is distilled from corn and states it is gluten-free on the bottle.
Yes, Baileys is a distilled liquor, therefore it is generally deemed safe for celiacs and gluten free.
Baileys makes an almond milk version of their classic Irish cream, so give it a try.
The crema on top of freshly brewed espresso is what contributes to the classic foam on top of an espresso martini. Instant coffee or cold brew will still give you the flavour, but less of the foam. You also need to shake hard for at least 60 seconds with lots of ice.
If you want even more foam, you could add an egg white to the cocktail shaker. Be sure to shake all ingredients dry, before adding ice. Then add ice and shake again. This is a common technique, not in espresso martinis, but in other cocktails.
This Irish cream espresso martini recipe is a delicious cocktail, perfect for the holidays. It's a delicious mix of a strong espresso martini and sweet, creamy Baileys. It's like an extra boozy Irish coffee! The perfect after-dinner drink for your holiday party! Enjoy with all your friends and family during the holiday season.
More Drink Recipes
- Aperol Coconut Margarita
- Apple Cider Aperol Spritz
- Peach Basil Sour Cocktail
- Blended Aperol Spritz Cocktail
Have you made this creamy Baileys espresso martini? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
Creamy Espresso Martini with Baileys
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz fresh espresso cooled
- 1 oz Baileys
- ½ oz kahlúa
- 3 coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Add all of the espresso martini ingredients plus 6-8 medium size ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Close tightly and shake hard for 30-60 seconds until the outside is frosty.
- Strain into a a chilled coupe glass or martini glass. Garnish with 3 coffee beans. Enjoy responsibly!
Notes
- Make it more Irish by using Irish whiskey in place of the vodka.
- Is this drink gluten free? Most distilled alcohols are considered gluten free. I use Titos vodka which is made from corn and states it is gluten free. Baileys is also distilled and is gluten free.
- Can I make this dairy free? Baileys makes an almond milk version of their classic Irish cream, so give it a try.
- Batching: Because they need to be shaken to achieve the beautiful foam on top, espresso martinis are tricky to batch. The most you can likely fit in your cocktail shaker is 2 drinks. Be patient if making for a crowd.
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