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.

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
Golden Bee’s Knees cocktail served in a rounded stemmed whisky glass on a wooden table against a bright yellow background, featuring warm honey tones and a minimalist cocktail presentation for classic cocktail recipe blogs, cocktail lounges and mixology class inspiration.

Signature cocktail

Bee's Knees

The Bee’s Knees for one with a sweet tooth, this cocktail really is the bee’s knees! It is super simple and super sweet, sweet taste of honey and hints lemon makes the bee’s knees one of my favourite go to cocktail’s. It is definitely buzz-worthy. The Bee’s Knees is a prohibition-era cocktail featuring gin, lemon juice and honey.

  • 30ml Honey Syrup
  • 30ml Lemon Juice
  • 60ml Gin
  • Garnish Lemon twist or Orange
Bee's Knees
Frozen strawberry daiquiri cocktail in a hurricane glass garnished with fresh strawberries on a wooden table under pink and green neon lighting, perfect for tropical hens parties, summer cocktail recipes and cocktail making classes.

Signature cocktail

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri

Frozen Strawberry Daiquiris are the ultimate poolside thirst quencher. Made with strawberries, rum, lime juice, and sugar. Use frozen strawberries for an extra-slushy texture! A lucky Ladds summer favourite they are nearly as cool as your topless waiter.

  • 1 1/2 cups white rum
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice, from about 6 juicy limes
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup simple syrup, depending on your preferred sweetness
  • 1 16-ounce package frozen strawberries
  • 4 cups ice cubes
  • Strawberries, lime wheels, or little umbrellas for garnish, optional
Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri

Let's Go

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Party Hosts

Games and Activities Hosts for a Perfect Party

Equal parts host, flirt and chaos coordinator. Hand-selected, professionally trained, talented and skilled, ready to run fun activities at your best party ever. A LuckyLadd host is an absolute must!

Tyler our sunny coast hens specialist posing shirtless with one hand on his chest. He medium length brown hair and is very tanned and hot.
Tyler
He shirtless and is very lean and ripped, he is posing with his arms by his side and has a big smile.
Lucas
Shirtless waiter ben looking off into the left of the screen, he has tattoos on his chest, arms and abs. He is young and good looking with thick brown hair. He is our Sunshine Coast topless waiter.
Ben
Lorenzo Italian male nude model and stripper located in Sydney
Lorenzo
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.

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
Drag Queen wearing a bright red outfit and silver outfit with big puffy shoulder and arm pads.
carmen taykett
Drag Queen Moesha posing with a sultry look on her face, she is in a lycra green, yellow and white outfit with black gloves. She is looking stunning and has long black hair.
Moesha
Posing in a black leotard and rainbow sequinned  jacket. The drag queen has a dark blonde wig on and sultry facial expression.
BarbieQ

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.

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

A LuckyLadds topless waiter carries the bride-to-be during a fun hens party group photo while friends laugh, celebrate and enjoy the special occasion together.

What does a topless waiter actually do?