There’s nothing like a good espresso martini, but when you add a touch of peppermint, it turns into the ultimate holiday cocktail. I know how easy it is to mess these up: too bitter, too strong, or too sweet, but I’ve nailed down the perfect ratio so it comes out balanced every single time. It's not watery, not too minty, and full of flavor that makes an espresso martini irresistible. If you’ve ever struggled with cocktails that fall flat, trust me, this one works.
You will also love my Ninja Slushi Espresso Martini recipe.
Peppermint Espresso Martini Ingredients
- Vodka – This is the backbone of your martini. Vodka gives the cocktail that smooth kick without overpowering the coffee and peppermint flavors, letting everything else shine.
- Coffee Liqueur (like Kahlúa) – This adds depth and sweetness. The liqueur boosts the coffee flavor while also bringing in rich, almost caramel-like notes that make the drink taste balanced instead of just strong coffee with alcohol.
- Freshly Brewed Espresso or Very Strong Coffee – You need that bold coffee base to cut through the creaminess and sweetness.
- Simple Syrup – A touch of sweetness ties it all together. The syrup smooths out the sharp edges of the alcohol and enhances the peppermint so it feels more like a treat than a stiff drink.
- Peppermint Extract – This is what takes a regular espresso martini and makes it festive. Peppermint adds that cool, refreshing flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolatey coffee notes, think peppermint mocha vibes in cocktail form.
- Ice Cubes – Don’t skip these. Ice chills and slightly dilutes the drink while shaking, giving you that silky texture and preventing the flavors from being too harsh.
- Coffee Beans for Garnish – They’re not just for looks (though they do make the glass look classy). The aroma of whole coffee beans hits your nose before you sip, which enhances the entire coffee-meets-peppermint experience.
How to Make Peppermint Espresso Martinis
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Brew your espresso or strong coffee and let it cool slightly so it’s warm but not piping hot. This keeps the ice from melting too fast when you shake.
- Prepare your glass by rimming it with simple syrup or honey, then dip into crushed peppermint candies (I use sugar, too) for a festive touch. Set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Pour in the vodka, coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso (or strong coffee), simple syrup, and a few drops of peppermint extract.
- Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds. The goal is to chill the drink and create that frothy layer on top.
- Strain the mixture into your prepared martini glass.
- Optional: Garnish with three whole coffee beans in the center of the drink.
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Frequently Asked Questions and Pro Tips
Yes! If you don’t have an espresso machine, brew extra-strong coffee. Just make sure it’s bold so the coffee flavor doesn’t get lost behind the vodka and peppermint.
Nope. Any coffee liqueur works here. Baileys, Tia Maria, or Mr Black are great alternatives if you want something less sweet or with a stronger coffee punch.
Start small, a few drops go a long way. Too much peppermint can overpower everything and taste like mouthwash. You can always add a little more if you want it stronger.
You can mix the ingredients in advance and keep the mixture chilled, but don’t shake with ice until right before serving. Shaking fresh gives you that frothy top layer.
Maple syrup, honey, or agave work in a pinch. Just know they’ll add their own flavor twist, which can actually be really tasty.
Frothy tops can disappear quickly. You can see in the photos above, shaking the mixture in a shaker will get you a frothy tops, but it fades. Freshly brewed espresso will also produce a larger frothy top. I like to use chilled espresso, it's just a matter of preference.
Crush candy canes or peppermint candies, then dip the glass rim in simple syrup before pressing it into the crushed candy.
It’s optional, but it really makes the drink feel like a true espresso martini. Plus, the aroma hits before you sip, which adds to the experience.
Absolutely. Just scale up the ingredients and mix in a pitcher, then shake individual portions with ice as you serve.
More Cocktail Recipes
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Peppermint Espresso Martini
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I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz vodka
- 2 oz coffee liqueur like Kahlúa
- 2 oz freshly brewed espresso or very strong coffee, cooled slightly
- 1 oz simple syrup optional, adjust to your sweetness preference
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ice cubes
- Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Brew the espresso. Make a fresh shot of espresso (or strong coffee) and let it cool for a few minutes so it doesn’t melt the ice and water down the drink.
- Shake it up. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup.
- Shake hard. Give it a really good shake for about 15–20 seconds. This is what creates that frothy, creamy top everyone loves in an espresso martini.
- Strain and pour. Strain the cocktail into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish. Drop 3 coffee beans on top, it’s the classic garnish and makes it look extra polished.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
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