Graphic Designer's Espresso Martini
A bold and smooth espresso martini with a creative twist on the classic using a hint of vanilla and cardamom for depth. This recipe, ready in about 6 minutes, brings together vodka, freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1/2 oz vanilla syrup
- a pinch ground cardamom
- as needed ice cubes
- 3 whole coffee beans
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add 2 oz vodka, 1 oz freshly brewed espresso, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1/2 oz vanilla syrup, and a pinch of ground cardamom into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice cubes.
- Step 2: Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until the tin is frosty and a creamy foam forms on top.
- Step 3: Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass to remove ice shards and cardamom granules.
- Step 4: Garnish by gently placing 3 whole coffee beans in a neat row on the foam surface.







