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Tequila Espresso Martini

Coffee and Tequila… What grows together, goes together!

Written by: Kahlúa Drinks Team Kahlúa Drinks Team Our team of Cocktail Pros with a passion for crafting and sharing delicious coffee-based drinks recipes.

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Two Tequila Espresso Martinis on a table
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Taste : Sweet & coffee

Skill level intermediate icon

Skill Level : medium

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Prep Time : 5 Mins

INGREDIENTS

Ice Cubes

1 part Kahlúa

1 part Tequila

1 part Espresso Coffee (Cold)

3 Whole Coffee Beans

Ice Cubes

30 ml Kahlúa

30 ml Tequila

30 ml Espresso Coffee (Cold)

3 Whole Coffee Beans

Ice Cubes

1 oz Kahlúa

1 oz Tequila

1 oz Espresso Coffee (Cold)

3 Whole Coffee Beans

HOW TO MAKE

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.

  2. Add 1 part tequila, 1 part Kahlúa coffee liqueur and 1 part espresso.

  3. Shake the ingredients together for 15 – 20 seconds, to create a velvety foam.

  4. Strain into a chilled martini or cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with 3 coffee beans, for good luck.

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

Espresso Machine or Coffee Maker

Ideally, you’ll need a good espresso machine for your freshly brewed espresso, but a stovetop espresso maker or a French press can also work well if you don’t have one. Our tip is to use strong coffee if espresso isn’t available.

Cocktail Shaker

A cocktail shaker is crucial for mixing and chilling the ingredients. If you don’t have a shaker, just use a mason jar or any jar you have at home with a tight-fitting lid instead.

Strainer

A strainer helps you achieve a smooth pour, keeping ice and coffee grounds out of your martini. If a strainer isn’t available, the lid of your shaker or jar can act as a makeshift strainer. Pour slowly to avoid any chunks slipping through.

Jigger or Measuring Tool

A jigger is needed for measuring the perfect amount of ingredients. Pro tip: you can use a 30 ml / 1 oz shot glass instead.

Martini Glass

The classic, and in our opinion, the best way to serve your Tequila Espresso Martini is in a chilled martini glass, both to enhance its presentation and keep it cool. If you don’t have a martini glass, any glass in your kitchen can work as well. Just keep it fancy.

HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT TEQUILA ESPRESSO MARTINI AT HOME

Creating the perfect Tequila Espresso Martini is easy! Simply follow our step-by-step guide for a sweet, velvety cocktail, every time:

Ice pour into shaker

1. Fill a shaker half-way with ice cubes.

Place a few large ice cubes in a shaker. Large ice cubes work best as they melt slower, preventing the drink from becoming too watery. You can also use a mason jar if you don’t have a shaker.

Kahlua being Poured into cocktail glass

2. Add in the ingredients.

Pour in equals parts (30 ml) of Kahlúa, Tequila and Espresso coffee (cold).

Cocktail shaker being shaken

3. Shake hard for 15-20 seconds.

You’ll know when it’s enough once the outside of the shaker has started to frost, the liquid is foaming and your hands start to feel cold. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Cocktail being strained into glass

4. Strain into a martini glass.

Use a fine strainer to pour your mixture into the glass, to keep the ice bits out, and create the froth on top. You can also use a fine-mesh sieve or something similar from your kitchen cupboards instead.

Garnishing Tequila espresso martini with coffee beans

5. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

This creates the iconic Tequila Espresso Martini look as they float on top of the froth. Each bean represents health, wealth and happiness. But we think they also represent elegance.

PRO TIPS

1. Our pros recommend using fresh espresso to give your cocktail a bold punch. Using good quality medium roasted beans, which you can grind up yourself at home, also works well.

 

2. Pop your martini glass in the freezer before serving. This keeps your drink frosty and fabulous, making every sip a refreshing treat.

 

3. To get that perfect froth/foam on your Tequila Espresso Martini, make sure you shake the ingredients with lots of ice for at least 20 seconds. The more you shake, the more microfoam builds up, giving you that velvety froth when you pour it into your glass. But remember, over-blending can turn your cocktail into a watery mess, and we want smooth and creamy, not soggy!

TEQUILA ESPRESSO MARTINI FAQ

I don’t have a shaker, what can I use?

You don’t need one! Use anything with a well-fitting lid, like a protein shaker, mason jar, etc. Just make sure the lid is screwed on tight, to stop it getting messy.

Why do I need to strain my Tequila Espresso Martini?

Straining removes the shards of ice after shaking. It also helps your cocktail look clearer. You don’t need a special cocktail strainer; a tea strainer works just as well.

What’s the best coffee roast for espresso?

Espresso (freshly) roasted coffee! Using good quality medium roasted beans, which you can grind up yourself at home, also works well.

Can I prepare the Tequila Espresso Martini cocktail ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare this cocktail right before serving to maintain the freshness of the espresso foam. However, you can mix the ingredients in advance and shake well before serving.

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