Guinness Espresso Martini

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, your friends are wearing green, someone has a playlist full of Irish classics, and instead of another basic green drink, you bring out a Guinness Espresso Martini. That rich, dark foam alone gets everyone’s attention. This is not your average espresso martini. It blends coffee infused Irish whiskey, smooth coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, and a splash of Guinness for a creamy stout finish.

Then it gets taken over the top with brown butter toffee syrup and a crushed Heath bar garnish. It tastes like dessert, coffee, and a perfectly poured pint all in one glass. I love this cocktail because it feels festive without being cheesy. It’s grown up, bold, and still fun. If you are looking for St. Patrick’s Day cocktails that stand out from the usual lineup, this Guinness Espresso Martini is the one.

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Why You’ll Love This

This Guinness Espresso Martini checks every box for a celebration drink. It’s rich but balanced, sweet but not overpowering, and has that beautiful creamy foam everyone loves in espresso martini cocktails.

Here’s why it deserves a spot on your St. Patrick’s Day menu:

• Combines Guinness and espresso for a deep, layered flavor
• Coffee infused Irish whiskey adds a custom touch
• Brown butter toffee syrup gives warm caramel notes
• Impressive presentation with foam and candy garnish
• Perfect balance of sweet, bitter, and bold
• Great conversation starter at parties

It feels special without being complicated. Once you make it once, you’ll want to bring it back for holiday gatherings and cozy nights alike.

Ingredients

Every ingredient in this Guinness Espresso Martini plays a clear role. Nothing is random here. The stout brings creaminess, the espresso adds punch, and the syrup ties everything together.

Guinness Espresso Martini

• 1 oz coffee infused Irish whiskey
• 1 oz Guinness
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz espresso or cold brew coffee
• .5 oz brown butter toffee syrup
• Heath bar for garnish
• 3 espresso beans for garnish

The coffee infused Irish whiskey builds depth and warmth. Guinness adds that smooth stout texture and slight bitterness. Coffee liqueur boosts sweetness and body. Fresh espresso gives that classic espresso martini foam and caffeine kick.

The brown butter toffee syrup is the secret weapon. It brings a nutty caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with stout and coffee. And the Heath bar garnish adds crunch and extra toffee notes.

Brown Butter Toffee Syrup

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 pinch sea salt

Coffee Bean Infused Irish Whiskey

• 1/4 cup whole coffee beans
• 750 ml bottle of Irish whiskey

Quality matters here. Use good espresso and fresh coffee beans for the infusion. It truly changes the final result.

Suggested Liquor Brands and Substitutions

Choosing the right Irish whiskey and coffee liqueur makes a difference in how smooth and rich your cocktail turns out.

Here are some solid options:

• Jameson Irish Whiskey for a smooth, slightly sweet base that infuses well
• Tullamore D.E.W. for a lighter, softer whiskey profile
• Slane Irish Whiskey for a richer finish
• Kahlúa for a classic coffee liqueur option
• Mr Black Coffee Liqueur if you prefer less sweetness and more coffee intensity

If you do not want to infuse your own whiskey, you can:

• Use a high quality cold brew concentrate and skip the infusion
• Add a small amount of freshly ground coffee to your shaker and double strain
• Substitute brown sugar syrup if you do not have time to make the brown butter version

Each option will still give you a rich and satisfying Guinness espresso martini cocktail.

Equipment and Glassware

You do not need a full bar setup, but a few tools will help create that signature foam and clean presentation.

You’ll need:

• Cocktail Shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Small saucepan for syrup
• Mason Jar for infusion
• Nick and Nora Glass

A chilled glass makes a big difference. Place it in the freezer while you prepare the drink. It helps maintain that thick foam layer on top.

How to Make It

This cocktail has three parts: the syrup, the infused whiskey, and the final shake. Plan ahead so the infusion and syrup are ready before party time.

Brown Butter Toffee Syrup

1. Add butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt, then foam up. Stir as it browns and smells nutty with little golden bits at the bottom. It will burn quickly so keep an eye on it.
2. Immediately add in water, brown sugar, and salt. Let it come to a light boil. Stir to make sure all the sugars have melted, then let simmer for 5-7 minutes
3. Remove from heat stir in the vanilla bean paste. Let cool for 20 minutes
4. Strain out any butter particles and place into an airtight container and keep in the fridge for two weeks

Coffee Bean Infused Irish Whiskey

1. Lightly crush 1/2 cup coffee beans. Do not grind them; you want larger pieces.
2. Combine the crushed coffee beans and whiskey in an airtight container such as a Mason jar.
3. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 12 to 24 hours.
4. Begin tasting after 12 hours to ensure the flavor hasn’t turned bitter. Do not over steep.
5. Strain the infusion through cheesecloth.
6. Funnel the strained whiskey back into the original bottle.

Guinness Espresso Martini

1. Add the coffee whiskey, Guinness, coffee liqueur, espresso, and brown butter toffee syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously to get a good amount of foam.
2. Strain into a Nick and Nora, Martini, or Coup glass.
3. Crush up a Heath candy bar and sprinkle on one side of the martini
4. Garnish with 3 espresso beans in the middle
5. Serve immediately and enjoy your Guinness Espresso Martini

Shake hard. That foam is what makes this drink look and feel like a true espresso martini.

Pro Tips

Details matter with a cocktail like this. These tips help you nail the flavor and texture every time.

• Shake longer than you think. A strong shake creates better foam.
• Chill your glass in advance. It keeps the foam stable.
• Taste your whiskey infusion at 12 hours to prevent bitterness.
• Use freshly brewed espresso for the best crema.
• Double strain for a smoother texture if needed.
• Crush the Heath bar just before serving to keep it crisp.
• Store syrup in a clean airtight container to extend shelf life.

Do not be afraid to tweak sweetness slightly based on your preference. A little extra syrup can soften a strong espresso batch.

Variations

This Guinness Espresso Martini is flexible. You can adjust it based on what you have on hand.

• Swap Guinness for another dry stout for a similar creamy feel
• Add a splash of Irish cream for extra richness
• Use maple syrup instead of brown butter syrup for a different sweetness
• Make it alcohol free with cold brew, stout style non alcoholic beer, and toffee syrup
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top for a festive touch

Each version keeps the spirit of the drink while offering something new.

When to Serve and Pairings

This cocktail shines on St. Patrick’s Day, but it also works for dinner parties, dessert courses, and late night celebrations.

Serve it:

• After a hearty Irish meal
• At a themed cocktail party
• As a dessert replacement
• During holiday gatherings

Pair it with:

• Chocolate cake
• Salted caramel brownies
• Irish soda bread with butter
• Cheesecake
• Dark chocolate truffles

It also pairs well with classic Irish cocktails like an Irish Coffee or a Whiskey Sour if you are building a full menu.

Storage and Serving Notes

The finished cocktail should be made fresh for the best foam and texture. However, you can prepare components ahead of time.

The brown butter toffee syrup keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. The coffee infused whiskey can last several weeks if stored properly.

If hosting a party, pre measure your ingredients so you can shake each drink quickly to order. Foam does not hold well if mixed too far in advance.

FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about this Guinness Espresso Martini.

Can I skip the whiskey infusion?
Yes. You can use regular Irish whiskey and rely on the coffee liqueur and espresso for flavor.

Does Guinness make it heavy?
No. The small amount adds creaminess without making the drink overly thick.

Can I use cold brew instead of espresso?
Absolutely. Just make sure it is strong and concentrated.

How long does the syrup last?
Up to two weeks in the fridge in an airtight container.

Is this very sweet?
It is balanced. The stout and espresso help offset the sweetness from the syrup and liqueur.

More Cocktails to Try

If you enjoyed this Guinness Espresso Martini, here are more cocktails worth trying:

• Tequila Espresso Martini
• Cinnamon Roll Espresso Martini
• S’mores Espresso Martini
• Black Russian
• Eggnog Espresso Martini