Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich and velvety espresso martini stirred with aged rum and infused with vanilla bean for a smooth, indulgent finish. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 8 minutes brings together aged dark rum, 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.

Prep: 8 min Serves 1 Cocktails cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Chill a coupe glass by filling it with ice water while preparing the cocktail.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing glass filled with ice cubes, pour 1.5 oz aged dark rum, 1 oz freshly brewed espresso cooled to room temperature, 1 oz coffee liqueur, and 1/2 oz vanilla bean syrup.
  3. Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
  4. Step 4: Empty the coupe glass of ice water and strain the cocktail into it using a fine mesh strainer to catch any ice shards.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 3 coffee beans arranged in a triangular pattern on the surface.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean take to make?

Total time is about 8 minutes (8 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.

How do I store leftover Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean?

Refrigerate any leftover stirred rum espresso martini with vanilla bean in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Stirred Rum Espresso Martini with Vanilla Bean?

Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.