Signature cocktail

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini is what you make for after dinner drinks, or when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want to fall behind the pack on a night out with your mates! Dangerously drinkable with a good slog of liquor, this coffee cocktail is crowd favourite just like your LuckyLadds topless waiter will be.

Ingredients

  • 40ml / 1 1/3oz Vodka
  • 20ml (2/3 oz) Kahlua
  • 20ml (2/3 oz) espresso coffee , cooled
  • 3 coffee beans , garnish
Dark espresso martini served in a coupe glass with creamy foam and coffee bean garnish on a wooden table beside chocolate truffles under pink and purple mood lighting, ideal for cocktail recipe blogs, hens party drinks and cocktail making experiences.
A vibrant hens party scene featuring a group of women gathered together indoors enjoying espresso martinis in coupe glasses. The setting includes warm mood lighting, cocktails topped with creamy foam and coffee bean garnish, casual party styling, candles, flowers, and a relaxed house party atmosphere perfect for cocktail nights and celebrations.

The Perfect Espresso Martini Recipe

The Espresso Martini is smooth, bold, creamy, and honestly one of the most dangerously easy cocktails to drink on a night out. With vodka, Kahlua, and fresh espresso shaken over ice, it’s the perfect mix of strong coffee flavour and cocktail kick. Whether it’s after dinner drinks, girls night cocktails, or the point of the night where everyone suddenly needs a second wind, this one always disappears fast.

What You’ll Need ☕

  • 40ml vodka
  • 20ml Kahlua
  • 20ml fresh espresso coffee, cooled
  • Ice (the ice will help with frothing, so be generous)

Optional Garnish

  • 3 coffee beans
  • Cocoa powder dusting
  • Chocolate shavings

A studio cocktail styling scene featuring an espresso martini served in a coupe glass with creamy foam and coffee bean garnish. The setup includes Absolut vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, fresh espresso coffee, ice bucket, cocktail shaker, coffee beans, and chocolate truffles arranged on a wooden table with soft purple and pink lighting.

How To Make An Espresso Martini

This cocktail is all about the shake. The harder you shake it, the creamier and smoother the espresso foam becomes on top.

  1. Chill Your Glass: Place your martini or coupe glass in the freezer while preparing the cocktail.
  2. Add Ingredients To A Shaker: Add vodka, Kahlua, cooled espresso coffee, and plenty of ice into a cocktail shaker.
  3. Shake Hard: Shake aggressively for around 15 seconds until the shaker feels icy cold. This creates the creamy foam layer.
  4. Strain Into Glass: Double strain into your chilled glass for a smooth finish.
  5. Garnish & Serve: Float three coffee beans on top and serve immediately.

A close-up cocktail preparation scene showing an espresso martini being strained from a cocktail shaker into a coupe glass with creamy foam forming on top. The setup includes Absolut vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, ice, coffee beans, cocktail tools, and chocolate truffles arranged on a wooden table with purple studio lighting.

Why Everyone Loves Espresso Martinis

It’s basically the cocktail version of saying “we’re definitely not going home yet.” Rich coffee flavour, smooth sweetness, and just enough kick to wake everyone back up after dinner or halfway through a big night out. One Espresso Martini somehow always turns into another, especially once everyone sees them coming out topped with that thick creamy foam and coffee bean garnish.

Three espresso martinis served in coupe glasses with thick creamy foam and classic coffee bean garnish. The scene includes Absolut vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur, cocktail shaker, ice, coffee beans, chocolate truffles, and cocoa dusting arranged on a wooden tabletop with warm purple studio lighting for a premium cocktail bar atmosphere.

Delicious Espresso Martini Variations

Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Add salted caramel syrup for a sweeter dessert-style version.

Chocolate Espresso Martini

Add chocolate liqueur or chocolate bitters for a mocha-style cocktail.

Vanilla Espresso Martini

A splash of vanilla syrup softens the coffee flavour beautifully.

Baileys Espresso Martini

Add Baileys for a creamier and smoother version.

Frozen Espresso Martini

Blend with ice for a frozen cocktail version perfect for summer nights.

Five espresso martini variations displayed in coupe glasses on a wooden tabletop with warm purple cocktail bar lighting. The drinks include salted caramel, chocolate, vanilla, classic espresso martini, and frozen espresso versions, styled with coffee beans, chocolate truffles, espresso coffee, cocktail tools, vodka, Kahlua, and ice for a premium cocktail photography scene.

Shake up your menu

More cocktails to try

Want variety at the bar? Mix in one of these LuckyLadds-approved cocktails to keep every round exciting.

Bright pink cosmopolitan cocktail served in a coupe glass with an orange peel garnish and scattered flowers on a wooden table against a vibrant pink background, perfect for hens parties, girls’ nights and cocktail making classes.

Signature cocktail

Cosmopolitan

Lipsmackingly sweet and sour, the Cosmopolitan cocktail of vodka, cranberry, orange liqueur and citrus is a very good-time in a glass. Perfect for any party!

  • 45ml lemon vodka
  • 15ml triple sec
  • 30ml cranberry juice
  • 10ml lime juice
  • ice For the garnish
  • orange zest, or a lime wedge on the rim of the glass.
Cosmopolitan
Light grapefruit gin spritz served in a champagne flute with layered pink tones and floral garnish, styled on a wooden serving board scattered with fresh flowers and herbs against a soft pastel background for cocktail recipe blogs, brunch drinks and cocktail masterclass inspiration.

Signature cocktail

Grapefruit Gin Spritz

A elegant, refreshing and simple cocktail to cool you down on a warm summers days, Careful they go down easy! The sweetness of the simple syrup and bitter hits of grapefruit perfectly harmonise. Swap gin for blackcurrant juice for a mock-tail. The Grapefruit Gin Spritz a great edition to any event. A quick and simple cocktail to have your luckyladds Topless Waiter to make for larger parties, that still want that wow factor from there cocktails.

  • 60ml Grapefruit juice
  • 15ml lime juice
  • 15ml simple syrup
  • 2 dashes orange bitter
  • 60ml tonic water
  • 30ml Ink Gin
Grapefruit Gin Spritz
Pink cherry blossom martini served in a crystal martini glass with delicate dried rose petal garnish on a rustic wooden table scattered with pink flower petals against a marble background, styled for elegant cocktail recipe blogs, bridal celebrations and cocktail masterclass inspiration.

Signature cocktail

Cherry Blossom Martini

This Cherry Blossom Cocktail is a beautiful drink to enjoy any time of the year, but I think it definitely evokes a feeling of springtime when cherry blossoms typically bloom. Plus, the cocktail’s floral and fruity flavours make it an ideal choice for special occasions such as Mother’s Day, bridal showers, hens parties and even weddings. And its pretty pink tones definitely make it instagram worthy.

  • blend
  • 1 ½ cups strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • splash of water
  • shake with
  • 60 ml cherry blossom gin
  • 30 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 1 egg white
  • 4-5 ice cubes
  • Edible rose petals for garnish
Cherry Blossom Martini

Let's Go

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Gauthier
Hunky Newcastle guy Ashton posing shirtless.
Ashton
Muscular tanned and tattooed man standing shirtless and pointing at his six pack. He has brown hair and is wearing black dress pants and a black belt.
Dirk Diggler
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Jorge
Featured Queens

Drag Queens for Outrageous Fun

Bold entrances, cutting banter, and unhinged party hosting, our drag entertainers know how to turn your hens party ideas into a full-blown event. Expect personality, polish, and pazaz.

Drag queen Delivira wearing a gothic like dress with bright red hair.
Delvira Midnight
The lovely Gold Coast drag queen Miss Dee, looking stunning in a black dress and diamonds
Miss Dee
Our Brisbane based drag queen Miss Veeta posing in a red, black and yellow zebra print dress with a blonde wig.
Veeta
She is striking a pose with hands pointed out to the side, she has a tall bright red wig on and black leather bra and short dress.
Salzza Dipp

Got a question about our cocktails?

Our cocktails are fun! And we bet you have heaps of questions. Here are the most common questions hens organisers have asked us. Your question not answered here? Reach out to us!

Why does an Espresso Martini get foam on top?

The foam comes from freshly brewed espresso being shaken hard with ice. The coffee oils and air create that signature creamy top layer.

Why are there three coffee beans on top?

Traditionally the three beans represent health, wealth, and happiness.

What coffee works best for Espresso Martinis?

Fresh espresso gives the strongest flavour and best crema for foam.

Should espresso be hot or cold before shaking?

Slightly cooled is best. Hot espresso melts the ice too quickly.

Can I make a sweeter Espresso Martini?

Yes, add vanilla syrup, caramel syrup, or extra coffee liqueur.

Why is my Espresso Martini watery?

Usually from not enough ice or shaking for too long after the ice has melted.

Can I use cold brew coffee?

Yes. Cold brew creates a smoother less bitter cocktail.

Can I make a dairy-free creamy Espresso Martini?

Yes, oat milk or coconut cream work really well in creamy variations.

What garnish works besides coffee beans?

Chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, caramel drizzle, or even crushed biscuits work well.

Inspiration

Cheers to Espresso Martini

Stories, planning tips, and cocktail inspo to keep the celebrations flowing.

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A bride-to-be celebrating with friends during a Sydney hens party overlooking Bondi Beach. Featuring champagne, grazing platters, ocean views and beachside accommodation, Bondi is one of Sydney's most popular destinations for hens parties, bachelorette parties and girls' weekends.

Sydney Hens Party Ideas

A multi-generational hens party enjoying an evening with LuckyLadds topless waiters. From bridesmaids and friends to mothers and grandmothers, professional waiters help create a fun, relaxed atmosphere that brings everyone together.

Topless Waiters Hens Party