20 Best Espresso Cocktails to Make at Home

These espresso cocktails will perk you right up!

Whether you like gin, vodka, whiskey, tequila, or rum, there’s a cocktail here waiting for you.

Espresso Cocktails & Drink Recipes

What is espresso? It’s the ingredient your cocktails have been missing. It’s bold, it’s strong, and it’s oh-so-invigorating!

Try it in a drink, and you’ll have a whole new perspective on coffee. 

It’s phenomenal in classics like the white Russian and no Irish coffee is complete without it.

Ready to fall in love? Let’s get to my favorite espresso cocktails.

1. Black Russian Espresso

The black Russian is an exemplary cocktail of simplicity. It consists of only two ingredients: vodka and coffee liquor. 

Pour cold brew espresso into it, and boom, you have your new favorite Sunday brunch beverage. 

Making a cold brew is an overnight process. So get it going early. That way, you’ll be ready come cocktail time.

Ingredients: dark roast coffee, cold filtered water, Kahlua coffee liqueur, vodka, ice cubes

2. Espresso White Russian

What sets the white Russian apart from a black Russian is the addition of cream.

Add espresso to the mix and a legend is born.

Creamy, robust, and sweet, this is one smooth drink. 

Before you mix everything, be sure to cool down the espresso first.

Nobody wants to abide by a watered-down drink.

Ingredients: vodka, Kahlua, espresso coffee, heavy cream

3. Espresso Martini

In the cocktail world, martinis are a whole other realm of mixology.

Shaken, stirred, dirty, dry, vodka, vesper, the list goes on and on. 

Do yourself a favor and skip right to this espresso martini.

From the frothy texture to the unique flavor, it’s a refined sipper worthy of your martini glass. 

To craft this luxurious creation, you need quality vodka, chicory liqueur, brewed espresso, brown sugar, and a few coffee beans to garnish. 

Of course, you also want to bust out a martini glass.

Ingredients: vodka, Hoodoo chicory liquor, espresso, brown sugar simple syrup, ice cubes, espresso beans

4. Affogato Cocktail

Out of all the coffee cocktails, the affogato is one of my long-time favorites. 

This decadent cocktail merges a classic Italian dessert with dark liquor. 

Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, and that’s precisely what you do.

You pour a strong coffee brew and dark rum over gelato.

You can also use whiskey, port, or amaretto if you prefer. 

I just implore you to stick with gelato and not swap it out for ice cream.

It has the most heavenly texture making this a real Italian delicacy.

Ingredients: ice cream or gelato, dark rum, amaretto, or whiskey, hot, freshly-brewed espresso

5. Carajillo

Looking for a new popular Mexican cocktail to try? I suggest exploring Carajillo. 

While I adore margaritas, Carajillo has a rather unique flavor, and it’s very beginner-friendly.

It only consists of two ingredients, which are espresso and Licor 43. Licor 43 is a vanilla-flavored Spanish liquor. 

Although this cocktail is traditionally a Spanish drink, you can find it all over Mexico. 

It’s commonly enjoyed as a digestif, so fix up a glass after a big meal. 

Ingredients: brewed espresso or decaf espresso, Licor 43, ice cubes

6. Rich Coffee Martini

If you liked the espresso martini, you should try this one next.

It’s an indulgent libation that infuses vodka with Baileys and espresso. 

Top it off with whipped cream and chocolate-covered espresso beans for a sinfully decadent treat. 

Sometimes, it’s good to be an adult. Don’t you think?

Ingredients: vodka, Baileys or Kahlua, espresso or brewed coffee, ice, whipped cream, whole coffee beans, chocolate syrup

7. Mocha Express Cocktail

I’ll take my iced mocha as an express cocktail, please!

While the local coffee shop may not have this on the menu, your kitchen sure does. 

It has both Bailey’s and Kahlua, so it’s super rich and chocolatey.

It also features Grey Goose vodka and an ounce of espresso. 

You can add more or less espresso depending on how strong you like your drink. 

Ingredients: Grey Goose vodka, Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua, espresso

8. Flying Frenchman

The flying Frenchman is a type of martini that consists of absinthe, coffee liqueur, and espresso. 

With ingredients like that, you’re in for one wild ride!

This beverage is as rich in coffee as it is in alcohol.

So if you need a stiff sipper, it will certainly do the trick.

Ingredients: absinthe, coffee liqueur, espresso

9. Gin Espresso Martini

Live a little and pour espresso into your classic gin martini. 

With a splash of Kaluha, you have a new festive drink to imbibe around the holidays. 

Not too sweet and not too boozy, it’s a well-balanced drink.

Ingredients: gin, espresso, Kahlua, chocolate simple syrup, ice

10. Chocolate Espresso Martini

Chocolate, espresso, and martini all in one? Where do I sign up?

This is another fantastic martini to share around the holidays.

Or really, anytime you feel like relaxing with an indulgent chocolate cocktail.

And I do mean indulgent! 

It has two types of chocolate liquor, vodka, Kaluha, espresso, vanilla, and chocolate sauce drizzled on the glass.

Don’t mind me, I’m just topping mine off with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. 

Ingredients: chocolate sauce, vodka, Kahlua, espresso, chocolate liquor, dark chocolate liquor, vanilla extract, shaved chocolate, star anise

11. Dublin-Style Irish Coffee 

Morning, afternoon, or night, nothing fights off the chill like a Dublin-style Irish coffee.

This take on a classic really knows how to fix up a cup of joe. 

Some Irish coffees overdo it on the sweetness while others are too heavy-handed on the booze.

This one, though, gets it just right. 

The espresso is first sweetened with caramelized sugar.

Then, you pour in the Jameson and top it off with whipped cream. 

I know what I’m drinking this weekend for brunch!

Ingredients: freshly-grated nutmeg, dark brown sugar, espresso or strong coffee, Irish whiskey, whipped heavy cream

12. Mocha Martini

If you like chocolate with your coffee, you’ll adore this mocha martini. 

Espresso and hot chocolate make it taste like a mocha. But why stop there?

Vodka, Kahlua, and chocolate liqueur make it even more enticing. 

If you’re the kind to smother your mocha in whipped cream and chocolate shavings, I say live it up and pile it on top!

Ingredients: vodka, Kahlua, chocolate liqueur, espresso, hot chocolate, ice cubes

13. Baileys Espresso Martini

Baileys is so luxuriously delicious, it’s good just poured over ice.

Although there are so many tasty Baileys cocktails it would be a shame not to give them a try. 

So the next time you get a hankering for a smooth and sweet adult beverage, give this one a whirl.

You just need espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka to go with your Baileys.

If you have a cocktail shaker, I’d use that, too.

Shaking the espresso with all the other ingredients gives it a frothy texture.

Ingredients: espresso, Baileys Irish Cream, vodka, coffee liqueur

14. Frozen Irish Coffee

Say hello to your new summer pick-me-up. It’s sweet, bold, ice-cold, and it’s spiked with booze!

It’s like the best frozen coffee drink you’ve ever tasted got all dressed up for happy hour. 

What’s dangerous is how easy it is to make. 

Simply add whiskey, Baileys, Kahlua, espresso, and ice cream to the blender and blend until it’s creamy. 

Ingredients: Irish whiskey, vanilla ice cream, Baileys, Kahlua, espresso, crushed ice, crushed coffee beans

15. Chai Espresso Martini

Every now and then I like to add a shot of espresso to my chai.

If you’re with me on this one, you need to make this cocktail tonight. 

It’s sweet, spicy, robust, and you can barely taste the booze. 

It combines the most divine chai honey syrup with vodka, Kahlua, espresso, and coconut milk.

And I just love how festive it looks topped with nutmeg and star anise!

While vodka is a nice neutral base, I think you could swap it out for whiskey for a deeper flavor.

Ingredients: honey, chai tea, vanilla extract, vanilla sugar, vodka, Kahlua, espresso, canned coconut milk, ground nutmeg, star anise

16. Spiked Caramel Macchiato

There was a time in my life when I was obsessed with caramel macchiatos.

Now that I’m trying to eat healthier, I indulge a little less. 

But when I do, I go all out with this spiked version.

It’s loaded with creamy espresso and caramel syrup just like I want.

But it’s also got a splash of coffee cream liqueur making it worth veering from a healthy diet.

Ingredients: ice, Somrus Coffee Cream Liqueur, coffee creamer or milk of choice, cold coffee or espresso, caramel sauce

17. Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Okay, so there’s no shortage of exceptional espresso martinis.

But with a name like salted caramel espresso, how does one not give in?

Creamy and sweet, it’s just as extravagant as the other martinis on this list. Except it’s got salted caramel syrup too!

It’s a great cocktail for a party or when you need to treat yourself. What’s even better is it only takes 5 minutes to make. 

Ingredients: vodka, coffee liqueur, milk or non-dairy milk, espresso, salted caramel syrup, coffee beans, star anise, cinnamon, or cocoa

18. Espresso Margarita

Espresso in a margarita? Say what?! 

Okay, okay, hear me out. I know it sounds a bit funky, but it works. 

You skip the lime and use tequila blanco, triple sec, Kahlua, and espresso. 

It’s like taking the base of a margarita and merging it with an espresso martini for one spectacular drink. 

Ingredients: tequila blanco, triple sec or Cointreau, Kahlua or coffee liqueur, espresso or strong coffee, clear ice

19. Vanilla Espresso Martini

Here’s one last espresso martini I have to mention before you go.

It’s smooth, classy, and the perfect after-dinner drink.

While many cocktails use simple syrup for sweetening, this one calls for homemade vanilla honey syrup.

Add it to espresso, vodka, and Kahlua for a special boozy treat. 

Share it with your friends and family after a big holiday feast or enjoy it as a nightcap. Either way, you deserve it!

Ingredients: honey, vanilla bean, vanilla sugar, vodka, Kahlua, espresso

20. Homemade Kahlua

Guys, have you tried making Kahlua at home? If not, stop what you’re doing and get in on the action.

You need espresso, sugar, water, vodka, and vanilla. 

The process is pretty simple and quick. The hard part is waiting for it to rest for weeks. 

Once it’s ready, you can use it in all sorts of cocktails, including pretty much everything on this list!

Forget amateur bartender, as you just got promoted to mixologist status.

Ingredients: brewed espresso or strong coffee, granulated sugar, water, vodka or rum, vanilla extract