Chocolate Espresso Martini (2024)

A coffee-forward co*cktail is the perfect drink to kick off the night! This chocolate espresso martini combines the classic espresso martini with decadent chocolate to create a wonderfully smooth libation suited for any occasion. Made with a homemade dairy-free chocolate kahlúa!

If you want to wow your guests, this is the drink to do so. The combination of coffee, chocolate, and booze is a hard one to beat! While many have enjoyed the classic espresso martini, this chocolate twist adds a hint of sweet yet bitter flavor that makes the co*cktail smooth and delightful. It froths up effortlessly for a perfect presentation too!

What is a chocolate espresso martini?

This boozy drink is a mixture of two classic co*cktails - an espresso martini and a chocolate martini. Both arefabulouson their own! But why not combine them to make an exquisite after-dinner treat!? Or even a fancy valentine’s day treat.

There is one key difference between the two though. Espresso martinis typically use kahlúa, a coffee liqueur, while chocolate martinis are commonly made with baileys, an irish cream liqueur. Again, WHY NOT COMBINE THEM and make a coffee chocolate liqueur aka the best flavor for a martini? Which is exactly what we do in this recipe!

But we don't stop there, we take the homemade kahlúa and baileys a step farther and make it dairy-free and vegan. It is truly a work of art but so easy to make! I'm sure this will be one of your go-to co*cktails!

If you're a fan of chocolate but want to keep things PG, check out my swoon-worthy hot chocolate recipe!

Shake well and set aside while you gather the remaining co*cktail ingredients.

You will love this Dairy Free Espresso Martini

This is one of my favorite post dinner drinks to sip on with it’s hints of espresso and cocoa that make it feel like dessert. It’s creamy with a heavy froth that resembles a drink you’d pay major $$$ for from a fancy bar. It’s quick to make and can be whipped up in the comfort of your own home!

Vegan Espresso Martini ingredients

Once you've made the kahlúa, it's time to prepare the rest of the chocolate espresso martini!

• Homemade kahlúa: This is what we made above. The mixture may separate as it sits so be sure to give it a couple big shakes before using it in the co*cktail.
• Espresso: Make sure your espresso is chilled and not pipping hot. Simply pop it in the fridge for a few minutes once you make it to allow it to cool down. If you don't have an espresso maker, you can substitute for strong coffee or instant espresso powder mixed with some hot water if needed.
• Vodka: This is what is typically used in an espresso martini.

What you'll need for the Homemade Kahlúa

For this recipe, we'll make an easy chocolate flavored kahlúa with almond milk. It's dairy-free and vegan and oh so good!

• Almond milk- This is the base of the kahlúa. Any nut milk will work in this recipe. You can even use coconut milk for a really creamy kahlúa!
• Cold brew- To add a subtle coffee flavoring. If you don't have cold brew on hand, substitute for iced coffee.
• Cacao powder- For a rich dark chocolate taste! Substitute with dutch cocoa powder if needed.
• Maple syrup- Instead of simple syrup, this is used to add a touch of sweetness to the liqueur. You can easily swap this for honey if not vegan.
• Dark rum- This is what is typically used in kahlúa. The rum taste pairs perfectly with the chocolate and espresso, however, you can use any liquor you wish. Bailey's is made with Irish whiskey which is also a great choice!

How to make a Chocolate Espresso Martini

Preparing the martini is easy and simple. All you need is ice and a co*cktail shaker.

Shake martini ingredients

Add the martini ingredients to a co*cktail shaker with ice cubes. Shakereallywell for at least 30 seconds. This is the key to to the frothiness. The more you shake, the more froth on top of your martini!

Then pour into two co*cktail glasses and garnish with chocolate shavings and a few coffee beans and enjoy!

How to make homemade kahlúa

The dairy-free kahlúa is a breeze to make. This recipe makes more than you'll need for two co*cktails so save the rest for another chocolate espresso martini night!

Mix all ingredients

This can be done in a blender or in an air-tight container. Simply add all the kahlúa ingredients to a container and mix until the cacao powder is dissolved and the liquid is frothy.

If using a an air-tight container, shake generously for about 30 seconds. Make sure you have a finger on the lid just in case.

Customizing this Chocolate Coffee Martini

• Drizzle some chocolate sauce around the rim of your martini glass to add a chocolate rim to the drink.
• If you want to make this more of a "dessert co*cktail", use a larger glass and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on to make a chocolate espresso ice cream float.
• If you're a chocolate lover, drizzle chocolate syrup into the bottom of the glass so there is some extra sweet stuff when you get to the bottom of the drink.

How to store an Espresso Chocolate Martini

The kahlúa is best stored in an air-tight container in the fridge. Separation will naturally occur so be sure to give the jar a few shakes before use. It will keep for up to a week in the fridge.

Chocolate Espresso Martini Recipe FAQs

For more dinner drinks, check out my:

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