Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce espresso
- ¾ ounce Baileys Irish cream
- ½ ounce coffee liqueur
- Ice
- Three whole coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, espresso, Baileys Irish cream, and coffee liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with three whole coffee beans.
Variations and Substitutions
There are quite a few options when it comes to changing ingredients in the Baileys espresso martini, both with flavors and structure.
- Try different flavors of Baileys Irish cream, including salted caramel, espresso creme, red velvet, and vanilla cinnamon.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the Baileys Almande, made with almond milk.
- If you want flavor without added sweetness, opt to add a few dashes of bitters. Chocolate, walnut, cherry, toasted almond, whiskey barrel, and smoked bitters all impart a subtle yet remarkable flavor.
- Whiskey, either bourbon or rye, gives the martini a new layer of flavor. Flavored whiskey, such as toffee or caramel, even more so.
- Flavored vodka, however, creates a bolder flavor, so only do so if you want more defined notes such as vanilla, caramel, raspberry, or whipped cream.
- Simple syrup sweetens up the martini easily and quickly. Similar to the above-mentioned flavors, a flavored simple syrup will work well with the Baileys espresso martini ingredients.
- Add more or less espresso based on personal preference. If you don't have espresso on hand, then substitute coffee or extra coffee liqueur.
Garnishes
You can change the traditional whole coffee beans, implying the wishes of health, wealth, and happiness, but don't skip a garnish completely. A cocktail is never complete without one.
- Swirl caramel or chocolate syrup in the martini glass, or create a different design.
- You can also drizzle syrup on the foam.
- Create a cold coffee foam by adding hot coffee and ice to a cocktail shaker, shaking vigorously for approximately three minutes or until a sturdy foam has formed.
- Opt for whipped cream to make an even creamier martini.
- Sprinkle ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
- If you use flavored bitters or spirits, especially fruit, incorporate that flavor into the garnish. For instance, if you use cherry bitters, garnish with a cocktail cherry.
- Add an orange twist for complementary citrus notes to cut through the rich flavors.
About the Baileys Espresso Martini
New to the cocktail scene, the original espresso martini started shaking up the world in the 1980s. The most universally regarded theory is it came from a bar in London when a patron was looking for something different to drink. Her request? A cocktail that would, "Wake me up, and then f--- me up." Brash? A little. Accurate for what the espresso martini has accomplished? Absolutely.
The bartender, Dick Bradsell, thought of the martini because of the location of the coffee station relative to where he made drinks. The close proximity led to the lightbulb moment, perfect for him and his patron.
Sometimes remarked as the grown-up vodka and Redbull drink, the espresso martini has been shining in the spotlight for the past few years. While Baileys Irish cream wasn't part of the original story, it has begun to appear and become a canon recipe as people specify whether they want a dark or creamy espresso martini. Its popularity is sometimes an issue for some bartenders, cursing the long process of brewing espresso before mixing with vodka, Baileys, and coffee liqueur. However, some bars have brilliantly put their espresso martini on tap.
Abuzz With Enjoyment
Whether you are looking for a new brunch cocktail to break out of the usual drink rotation or you want to offer something other than Irish coffee after dinner, the espresso martini with Baileys won't let you down. The rich and creamy flavors will leave you smiling and satisfied.
Baileys fans, try these sweet Baileys shots! They're a delicious way to enjoy Irish cream.
