Cocktail – Hazelnut Espresso Martini

I’m a big fan of coffee and a big fan of cocktails. For me, an Espresso Martini is a perfect after dinner cocktail; rich, full flavoured, delicious. My current favourite is a Hazelnut Espresso Martini. Here is a quick and simple recipe, I hope you enjoy it.

Time – 5min

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Hazelnut liqueur
• Vodka

Step 1 – Espresso

I use my De’Longhi Dedica Espresso Machine to create a double espresso. I usually use Lavazza Rossa ground coffee, it has a mix of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans and creates an espresso with great body and a good crema. If it is getting late I will substitute the Rossa for a Lavazza Decaffeinato, it is the best decaf espresso I have found. Coffee is the star of the show in this cocktail so it is worth taking the time to make a decent espresso. If you do not have a coffee machine, I would recommend using a Moka Pot; achieving a good crema helps to create the final espresso martini look.

Now, for the other ingredients. To make a Hazelnut Espresso Martini, you will also need hazelnut liqueur, vodka and ice. The coffee and the hazelnut liqueur are going to be the predominant flavours in this martini, the vodka is very much playing a supporting role, so a basic vodka is more than adequate.

Step 2 – Assembly

Cocktails are all about getting the right ratios and balance between the ingredients. This one is really easy to remember. Fill your cocktail shaker roughly two thirds with ice cubes. Pour in the double espresso. Fill your espresso cup with hazelnut liqueur and add this to the cocktail shaker. Fill your espresso cup with the vodka and add the vodka to the cocktail shaker. That’s it, a basic 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, hazelnut liqueur and vodka, with a little water from the ice.

Step 3 – Shake and Pour

Make sure the lid on your cocktail shaker is secure and give it a good shake. Aim for 30 seconds or so to give the ingredients a good opportunity to meld together and to create a little foam from that crema. Next, gently pour the cocktail into a martini glass.

Step 4 – Wait

I know, I know, you want to start drinking your hazelnut espresso martini, but trust me it is worth waiting for a minute or two. The drink will clear, much like a pint of Guinness, and you will be left with a beautiful and delicious Hazelnut Espresso Martini.

There you have it, my super simple Hazelnut Espresso Martini recipe. I hope you enjoy it!

There are a number of delicious variations to this cocktail that you can try. You could make a more traditional espresso martini using Tia Maria or Kahlua Coffee Liqueur instead of hazelnut liqueur. Or you could make an Irish Espresso Martini using Irish Whiskey, I would recommend Bushmills 10 Year Old because it adds a sweetness to the cocktail. You could also try an almond liqueur such as Disaronno or a vanilla liqueur. Essentially, if you can find your favourite coffee syrup in liqueur form it will probably work well in an Espresso Martini, you might just need to tweak the ratios slightly depending on the strength of the liqueur.