Name: Toasted Almond Espresso Martini
Prep time: 4 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz Espresso (or strong brewed coffee, cooled); 1 oz Amaretto (for almond liqueur); 1 oz Vodka; 1/2 oz Coffee liqueur (you can use Kahlúa for coffee liqueur); 1/2 oz Cream or milk; Toasted almonds (for garnish); Coffee beans (optional, for garnish)

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Honestly, I didn’t think an espresso martini could get any better until I tried it with amaretto. The first time I made a Toasted Almond Espresso Martini it was one of those nights where I wanted something coffee-based, but I also wanted a cozy dessert-style drink. The second I smelled the toasted almonds and that sweet almond liqueur mixing with espresso, I knew I was onto something.

This cocktail tastes like your favorite coffee shop order and a nightcap had a very good idea together. You get bold coffee flavor up front, then creamy smoothness, and finally that warm almond finish that lingers just long enough to make you take another sip. It’s rich without being heavy, and sweet without turning into pure sugar.

Why You’ll Love This

A Toasted Almond Espresso Martini is the kind of cocktail that feels fancy, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. The amaretto gives it a sweet almond flavor that pairs perfectly with espresso, and the toasted almond rim makes every sip taste like a dessert garnish done right.

Here’s what makes it a favorite:

Coffee + almond is an amazing combo that tastes smooth and cozy
Perfect dessert cocktail when you don’t want cake but still want something sweet
Creamy texture without being too heavy thanks to just a splash of cream
Great for entertaining because it looks impressive in a martini glass
Easy to customize depending on how strong or sweet you like it
That toasted almond garnish adds flavor and makes the drink feel special

It’s one of those cocktails that gets people asking for the recipe after the first sip.

Ingredients

This cocktail works because every ingredient supports the espresso instead of covering it up. Vodka keeps the drink clean and strong, coffee liqueur deepens the roast flavor, cream softens the edges, and amaretto brings that signature almond sweetness. Then the toasted almonds tie it all together like the finishing touch on a dessert plate.

Here are the ingredients exactly as written:

1 1/2 oz Espresso or strong brewed coffee, cooled
1 oz Amaretto for almond liqueur
1 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Coffee liqueur you can use Kahlúa for coffee liqueur
1/2 oz Cream or milk
Toasted almonds for garnish
Coffee beans optional, for garnish

A few ingredient notes that really help:

Use cooled espresso or coffee so the drink stays cold and doesn’t melt the ice too quickly.
Amaretto is the star here. It adds sweetness and a warm almond taste that makes the cocktail feel like a dessert martini.
Vodka keeps it balanced so it doesn’t turn into a milkshake-style drink.
Coffee liqueur makes the coffee flavor deeper and smoother.
Cream or milk is optional in vibe but not in the recipe. It gives the drink that silky texture.
Toasted almonds are worth the extra minute. The smell alone makes this cocktail feel more special.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Even though this cocktail is simple, the brands you choose can change the final flavor a lot. Some amarettos are sweeter and syrupy, while others taste more like real almonds. Same with vodka and coffee liqueur. The good news is you can make this taste great without spending a ton.

Here are some solid recommendations and easy substitutions:

Vodka: Tito’s, Ketel One, or Absolut
These mix cleanly and won’t leave a harsh alcohol taste.
Amaretto: Disaronno (classic) or Lazzaroni
Disaronno is sweet and smooth. Lazzaroni tastes a bit more like baked almond.
Coffee liqueur: Kahlúa or Mr Black
Kahlúa is sweeter and classic. Mr Black is stronger and more coffee-forward.
Cream substitute: milk or half-and-half
Half-and-half makes it richer. Milk keeps it lighter but still creamy.
Espresso substitute: strong brewed coffee
Use very strong coffee and let it cool. It still works well in coffee cocktails.
Nut-free option
Skip amaretto and use vanilla liqueur instead (it won’t be almond, but it’s still delicious).

If you want the drink to taste less sweet, the easiest upgrade is swapping Kahlúa for a stronger coffee liqueur like Mr Black.

Equipment and Glassware

You don’t need a ton of tools for this drink, but the right setup makes it smoother and faster. Since it’s a shaken cocktail, a shaker and strainer are key. And because it’s served up, a chilled glass makes a big difference in how long it stays cold.

What you’ll need:

Home tip: If you don’t have a martini glass, a coupe glass works perfectly. It still gives that classic espresso martini look.

How to Make It

This cocktail is all about temperature, texture, and presentation. Chilling the glass helps it stay cold, shaking creates a frothy top, and the toasted almond rim makes it feel like a full experience instead of just a coffee drink in a glass.

Below are the original instructions kept exactly as written, just formatted into a clean step-by-step list.

Chill the Martini Glass:
Start by placing your martini glass in the freezer to chill. This will help keep your drink cold and add a nice touch to its presentation.
Toast the Almonds:
If you haven’t already, lightly toast some almonds in a pan or oven. Be careful not to burn them.
Once cooled, finely chop a small amount to use as garnish.
Mix the Drink:
In a shaker, combine the espresso (or coffee), Amaretto, vodka, cream and coffee liqueur.
Fill the shaker with ice, ensuring there’s enough to chill the mixture without diluting it too much.
Shake Well:
Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. The goal is to cool the mixture while also creating a slight froth from the espresso.
Prepare the Garnish:
Take the chilled martini glass and rim it with the toasted almonds. You can do this by moistening the rim with a little espresso or liqueur, then dipping it into the chopped almonds.
Serve:
Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared martini glass. The drink should be smooth with a frothy top.
Garnish:
Add a few coffee beans on top for an extra coffee kick and an elegant look.
Enjoy your drink!

Common tweak: If you want more foam, shake a little longer. If you want it stronger, use espresso instead of brewed coffee.

Pro Tips

This drink is already delicious, but these little tricks make it look better, taste smoother, and feel more like a high-end cocktail. Espresso martini style cocktails are all about the details, and this one really rewards you for doing the small things.

Here are my best tips:

Always chill your glass
A warm glass melts the drink faster and ruins that frothy top.
Let espresso cool before shaking
Hot coffee melts ice too fast and waters down the cocktail.
Toast almonds lightly
Do not over-toast or burn them because bitter almonds can throw off the whole drink.
Chop almonds finely
Big pieces fall off the rim and make the drink messy.
Rim the glass right before serving
That way the almonds stay crisp and stick better.
Double strain for smooth texture
This keeps out ice shards and almond bits.
Use fresh ice
Old freezer ice can add weird flavors, especially in coffee cocktails.
Adjust sweetness
If it’s too sweet, reduce coffee liqueur slightly next time.

Variations

The Toasted Almond Espresso Martini is already a twist on the classic espresso martini, but there are still a lot of fun ways to customize it. You can change the sweetness, make it lighter, or lean into dessert flavors even more.

Try one of these ideas:

Toasted Almond Mocha Martini
Add 1/4 oz chocolate liqueur for a mocha-almond combo.
Iced Almond Latte Martini
Use milk instead of cream and add an extra 1/2 oz coffee for a lighter sip.
Salted Almond Espresso Martini
Add a tiny pinch of salt to the shaker to boost the coffee and almond flavor.
Extra creamy version
Use half-and-half instead of milk or cream.
Decaf version
Use decaf espresso so you can enjoy it later at night without the caffeine kick.

If you’re serving guests, the mocha version is usually the biggest hit because it tastes like dessert.

When to Serve and Pairings

This cocktail fits anywhere you’d normally serve an espresso martini, but it feels even more special because of the toasted almond rim. It’s perfect when you want cocktails that feel cozy and rich, especially in cooler months.

Best times to serve it:

After dinner drinks
Holiday parties
Date night at home
Girls’ night
Dessert cocktail hour

Pair it with:

Tiramisu
Chocolate truffles
Biscotti
Almond cookies
Cheesecake
Chocolate-covered strawberries

Storage and Serving Notes

This is not a cocktail you want to make too far ahead, mostly because the frothy top fades quickly. That foam is part of what makes espresso martini cocktails feel special, so you want to serve it right after shaking.

That said, you can still prep smart:

Batched base option
Mix vodka, amaretto, and coffee liqueur in advance and store in the fridge.
Add espresso and cream right before serving
This keeps the flavor fresh and the texture smooth.
Toast almonds ahead of time
Store toasted almonds in an airtight container for up to a week.
Serving size
This recipe makes 1 cocktail, but it doubles and triples easily.

Warning: If you store it fully mixed, the drink will separate and lose the foam. Always shake fresh.

FAQs

This cocktail is simple, but people always have questions about espresso, foam, and substitutions. Here are the most common ones.

Can I use brewed coffee instead of espresso?
Yes. The recipe allows for espresso or strong brewed coffee. Just make sure it’s strong and cooled so the cocktail doesn’t taste watered down.

Why didn’t my drink get frothy?
Usually it’s because the coffee wasn’t fresh enough, the shake wasn’t strong enough, or there wasn’t enough ice. Shake hard for 15-20 seconds.

More Cocktails to Try

If you’re into coffee cocktails or dessert-style martinis, there are plenty of other drinks worth trying next. These are great options if you want variety for a party menu or just want something new to shake up.