Salted caramel espresso martinis are perfectly rich, sweet, and creamy vodka cocktails. This easy recipe for vodka, coffee, and Kahlua is the mixed drink that will be your new to-die-for alcohol indulgence. Think of this as a combination of a Starbucks Salted Caramel Macchiato and a Kahlua White Russian. Heaven!
This is the best salted caramel cocktail using Kahlua liqueur. Like my Tootsie Roll shot recipe, the Kahlua shines & is so good. This recipe is so quick and easy and results in a delicious fancy coffee-flavored vodka martini. Plus it is creamy & decadent like my recipe for an Eggnog Martini.
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Best Vodka for Espresso Martini
Using a good quality vodka that you love is important for making a good classic martini. I like to use a top-shelf brand such as Belvedere when I shake up a dirty martini at home.
However, when mixing an espresso martini you do not need to use top-shelf vodka. The intense flavors of coffee and the sweetness of the caramel in this recipe are what will shine. When mixing a martini with a bunch of other ingredients, like in my sweet Candy Corn Martini, using a low-shelf vodka is perfectly acceptable.
I am using a great generic brand from Costco, Kirkland. I have a ton of friends that sweat by its quality at a great low price. This vodka or other inexpensive but popular brands like Pinnacle, Skyy & Smirnoff are just fine when making an espresso martini.
Ingredients for the Best Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
For those that want a cappuccino or latte martini, this is the best real espresso martini recipe. You can use espresso, cold brew, instant coffee, decaf coffee, or regular brew for this Kahlua vodka espresso martini recipe. When I have this as a dessert martini, I make it with instant decaf coffee so I am not up all night from the caffeine that an espresso martini would have.
The cream, Torani caramel syrup, Kahlua, vodka, and coffee are what are important in this recipe. Vodka in coffee for me is two of my favorite drinks in one and results in a fancy kind of martini.
You can make this creamy espresso martini without coffee liqueur but it will not be the same and I highly recommend making sure you use the Kahlua. If you have Baileys you can substitute and try that out on this salted caramel martini. A slight variation of this martini cocktail recipe would be to use the Pinnacle whipped vodka for some extra sweetness mimicking the whipped cream on your favorite latte.
Recipe Variations
For a vegan or dairy-free espresso martini, you can substitute the cream with coconut, oat, or almond milk. All these milk substitutes will make this creamy espresso cocktail fantastic.
Prepare the Martini Glasses
To set this espresso martini recipe over the top, dressing up the glasses is key. I highly recommend that you coat the rim of the martini glasses with caramel sauce and then sprinkle on the sea salt flakes. The taste of the salted caramel as you sip this coffee cocktail really makes this special.
Shake Up the Kahlua & Vodka Espresso Martini
Here is how to make the salted caramel espresso martini with Kahlua & vodka. When making this espresso martini at home, you simply add all the ingredients to a martini shaker with some ice.
The coffee-flavored Kahlua along with espresso, cream, caramel syrup, and vodka make the ultimate martini. It includes a pinch of sea salt at the end to give this a real sweet and salty combo that makes salted caramel a favorite.
Pour the Creamy Espresso Martini
Once all the ingredients are chilled and mixed together, pour the espresso martini into the two prepared glasses.
This will be a sweet and velvety martini that is a wonderful after-dinner drink. It is like a dessert on its own and will be the perfect ending to a fancy or special dinner at home.
Again, if you want to enjoy this late at night, you can still enjoy this salted caramel vodka cocktail with decaf coffee instead of espresso for a martini that won't keep you up at night.
Espresso Martini Recipe Variations
For more fun and tasty espresso martini recipes, try any of these variations or additions.
- FRANGELICO ESPRESSO MARTINI - use Frangelico instead of Kahlua for a hazelnut espresso martini with caramel.
- MOCHA ESPRESSO MARTINI - use a mocha-flavored coffee instead of espresso for a mocha martini with caramel and chocolate flavors.
- KETO SALTED-CARAMEL ESPRESSO MARTINI - use sugar-free Torani caramel syrup and a sugar-free caramel sauce for a sweet but low-carb & keto-friendly espresso martini.
There are 312 calories in this sweet Salted-Caramel Espresso Martini with 25 carbs. For the keto espresso martini, it is 265 calories and 10 carbs.
What to Love about this Recipe
This simple espresso martini recipe makes for a great after-dinner dessert beverage that satisfies your sweet tooth. If you like other coffee mixed drinks, you will love this salted caramel espresso martini too. So if you are an Irish coffee fan, give this vodka martini recipe a try for another coffee-flavored cocktail.
If you love caramel coffee drinks, salted caramel, or creamy cocktails like a White Russian, this is seriously a drink made for you. I love both and this is why I decided to try to make a recipe that combines all those flavors into a cocktail that is amazing.
PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!
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Creamy Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Equipment
- Martini Glasses
- Martini Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz espresso
- 2 oz heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon Torani caramel syrup Keto option - use sugar-free Torani syrup
- pinch sea salt flakes
- ICE
For the rim of the glasses
- caramel sauce Keto option - use sugar-free caramel
- sea salt flakes
Instructions
- To a martini shaker, fill about ½ way with ice cubes.
- Pour in the Kahlua, vodka, cream, caramel syrup, and espresso. Add a pinch of sea salt.
- Put the lid on the martini shaker and make sure it is on tight. Shake for about 15 seconds to combine together and help chill all the ingredients.
- To prepare the 2 martini glasses, drizzle or dip the rim into caramel syrup. Sprinkle sea salt flakes on the caramel to stick for the perfect sea sat caramel edge.
- Remove the small top strainer lid from the martini shaker. Using the strainer top, pour half of the mixture into each martini glass.
- Cheers - enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 2 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 312 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 10.6g | 14% |
Saturated Fat 6.6g | 33% |
Cholesterol 39mg | 13% |
Sodium 289mg | 13% |
Total Carbohydrate 25.2g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber 0.1g | 0% |
Total Sugars 17.2g | |
Protein 0.8g | |
Vitamin D 15mcg | 74% |
Calcium 25mg | 2% |
Iron 0mg | 1% |
Potassium 71mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 2 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 265 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 10.5g | 13% |
Saturated Fat 6.5g | 33% |
Cholesterol 39mg | 13% |
Sodium 50mg | 2% |
Total Carbohydrate 10.1g | 5% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 0.6g | |
Vitamin D 15mcg | 74% |
Calcium 19mg | 1% |
Iron 0mg | 0% |
Potassium 54mg | 1% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
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Holly says
I have everything in my cabinet...Making these this weekend!! YUM I pinned too!
Angela says
Enjoy.
Laura says
This sounds great. I like chocolate martinis and this sounds a bit similar. I also saw the link to the Candy Corn Martini. It also looks awesome.
Angela says
Oh you will love both of these fun martini recipes for sure.
Faye says
This sounds absolutely incredible!! Definitely going on the list of drinks to try!
Heather J Jandrue says
Flavored martinis are my absolute favorite. Thank you for this recipe. It sounds like the perfect drink and I am going to make one next weekend.
Morayma says
My mouth is watering right now! This looks AMAZING!! I cannot wait for happy hour at my house! 😉
Emily says
This looks soooo good!
Elaina Mogren says
Yummy! So good looking, can't wait to try.
Darby says
Okay YUM!!! This recipe looks amazing! I feel like this would make the perfect Winter drink sitting by the fire! I will definitely have to try this!
Sandra Whitmore says
That looks so good, my mouth is watering!
Dawn Troxell says
You had me at "salted caramel" - LOL!!! Even the glass looks yummy without anything in it!!
Angela says
Ah, thanks, Dawn, it is pretty yummy and the sea salt and caramel drizzle on the martini glass really sets this over the top good.
Alexis Farmer says
This looks dangerous! Haha. Might need to try this this weekend.
Angela says
Dangerously good! Enjoy this martini
Kendra says
I love the combination of espresso and salted caramel! Looks fantastic!
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog says
Wow! This drink sounds incredible! We will be trying this soon! Thank you for sharing!
Maria Gustafsson says
I'm not usually a martini fan, but this looks delish!!
Marianne says
Definitely one of my faves! I substitute almond milk, and its still good!
Angela says
Great idea on the almond milk! thanks for sharing and glad it is yummy!
Misskorang says
There is a level of excitement this gave me that i cannot explain! lol
Angela says
Now that is an amazing compliment. Thanks so much!
Cindy Moore says
This looks so good! My hubs would love it. He enjoys salted caramel everything!
Angela says
I am glad you found something yummy to make him.
Sabrina DeWalt says
Salted caramel is my favorite. This sounds like a winner.
Barbara says
Sounds so good! I could use one right now!
Jennifer Forward says
These were SO yummmmy! Making again and again. Fun with friends!
Angela says
Thanks, Jennifer. Nothing better than finding a yummy cocktail recipe to share with friends.
Melissa Jones says
That sounds like a great recipe!
Angie says
Espresso martinis are my favorite at restaurants but at $15 each - ouch. Made this tonight and perfection. Just the right of caramel and salt.