The Best Creamy Espresso Martini Made With Baileys

Silky, bold, and just sweet enough, this creamy espresso martini with Bailey’s is the perfect after-dinner drink.

Coffee cocktail glasses with frothy tops and coffee beans for garnish, set on a rustic surface.

It blends rich espresso, smooth vodka, and Irish cream into an elegant cocktail that you’ll want to make again and again.

Reasons to Love this Delicious Cocktail

Easy to make – This creamy espresso martini recipe is made with only 3 main ingredients.
Velvety and smooth – The Irish cream liqueur adds a rich texture that makes every sip indulgent.
Rich coffee flavor – A fresh shot of espresso gives it a bold, robust coffee kick without being bitter.
Sweet but not too sweet – Bailey’s Irish cream makes it just sweet enough to double as a dessert cocktail.
Frothy top, café-style – A vigorous shake with ice cubes creates that signature creamy top.
Crowd-pleasing – It’s the perfect cocktail for a happy hour pick-me-up, girls’ night, or entertaining.

Ingredient Notes

Irish cream and vodka in clear glasses with a small ceramic pitcher of black coffee and scattered coffee beans on a rustic surface.

Vodka: Use a good-quality plain vodka for a clean, smooth base (such as Tito’s or Grey Goose vodka). Keep it well chilled for the best flavor and less dilution. Vanilla vodka or infused vodka is a fun way to add a subtle sweet twist.
Espresso: A shot of fresh espresso delivers the boldest coffee flavor. Let it cool completely before shaking to maintain a creamy texture and frothy top. Strong-brewed coffee or cold brew coffee can be used as a substitute in a pinch. Coffee-forward: Increase the espresso slightly for a bolder bite.
Irish cream (Bailey’s or similar): This adds sweetness and velvety richness. Adjust the amount to suit your taste. Less for a stronger coffee kick, more for a creamier dessert-style martini. Mocha-style: Add a splash of chocolate liqueur. Extra creamy flavor: Add a splash of heavy cream.
Ice: Shake with plenty of fresh ice to properly chill the drink and create that creamy foam.

Creamy espresso martini with a smooth texture served in elegant glasses with a shaker nearby

This Finish Touch: Garnish Ideas for Creamy Espresso Martinis

Classic espresso beans (or coffee beans): simple, elegant, and coffee-forward.
Cocoa powder or chocolate shavings: Adds a light chocolatey finish.
Chocolate drizzle: Inside the glass or around the rim of the glass for a dessert vibe.
Whipped cream: Add a dollop on top of your cocktail for an extra creamy twist.

Decadent creamy espresso martini served in a clear glass, garnished with cocoa powder.

Sip In Style

The best glasses for serving an espresso martini:

Martini glass – The classic choice, elegant and instantly recognizable.
Coupe glass – Slightly rounded and stylish, great for holding the frothy top.
Nick & Nora glass – Smaller, with an inverted bell-shaped bowl.
Stemless martini or cocktail glass – A modern, casual option that still looks great.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Brew fresh espresso and let it completely cool. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

Ice cubes in a cocktail shaker with cold vodka being poured over.

Irish cream being poured into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.

Cold espresso being poured over ice in a cocktail shaker.

A pair of frosted cocktail glasses with gold accents, set on a rustic surface alongside a metallic cocktail shaker

Add vodka, Irish cream, and cooled espresso. Shake hard until well chilled and frothy.

Creamy espresso cocktail pouring into a glass with froth on top.

Pouring of a creamy espresso cocktail into martini glasses.

Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Serve immediately, optionally garnish with espresso beans or a light dusting of cocoa.

Two elegant coffee cocktails with foam and coffee bean garnish, served in stylish glasses on a rustic surface, perfect for coffee enthusiasts.

Full measurements and helpful equipment are in the recipe card below.

Laura Belle’s Tips

Chill your glass ahead of time to keep the cocktail cold and frothy longer.
Use fully cooled espresso to prevent excess dilution and ensure a smooth texture.
Shake hard and long. This is key to creating that signature creamy foam on top.
Adjust sweetness by slightly reducing or increasing the Irish cream to taste.
Fresh ice makes a difference. Old or melting ice can water down a cocktail.
Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture, while the foam is at its peak.

Perfect Pairing for a Creamy Espresso Martini

Chocolate desserts – brownies, truffles, chocolate cake, or chocolate-covered strawberries from Miss In The Kitchen
Light sweets – biscotti, shortbread cookies, or flan
Cheesecake – classic, chocolate, or coffee-flavored
Salty bites – salted nuts or spicy crackers to balance the sweetness
After-dinner treats – a small dessert board with fruit, cookies, and dark chocolate

Popular Espresso Martinis

Two espresso martinis with foam topping on a kitchen countertop, featuring liquor bottles and cocktail shaker.

Rich coffee cocktail served in an elegant martini glass, perfect for coffee lovers and special occasions.

Classic Espresso Martini – A classic cocktail that is bold, crisp, and coffee-forward. Made with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur (Mr. Black coffee or Kahlua coffee liqueur), shaken up for a crisp sip with less sweet taste and a light froth on top.

Creamy chocolate and coffee martini, served in elegant glasses with chocolate shavings for garnish.

Delicious creamy espresso martinis topped with marshmallows, chololate sauce, and chocolate shavings. Perfect for dessert or special occasions.

Chocolate Espresso Martini – A chocolate espresso martini is pure dessert in a glass and my mom’s favorite! The chocolate is front and center with just enough coffee bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an espresso machine?

Not always. Espresso is ideal, but strong coffee or Moka pot coffee works well and delivers a similar flavor.

Why are coffee beans used as a garnish?

Placing three coffee beans on top of an espresso martini is a long-standing tradition with a little symbolism behind it. The three beans represent health, wealth, and happiness. It’s meant as a small gesture of good luck and well-being for the person enjoying the drink.

Can I make this ahead of time?

It’s best made fresh for the frothy top, but you can pre-brew and chill the espresso and keep the vodka chilled in advance.

Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes. Use a dairy-free Irish cream alternative for a similar creamy texture or a splash of oat milk.

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