Ingredients

  • 1½ ozvodka
  • 1 ozamarula
  • 1 ozespresso
  • 🍋Three coffee beans and a dusting of grated dark chocolate.(garnish)

🔧 Tools

cocktail shakerfine strainercoupe glassjigger

Instructions

  1. Pull a fresh shot of espresso and allow it to cool slightly.
  2. Add vodka, Amarula, and espresso to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  3. Shake hard for 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
  4. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  5. Garnish with three coffee beans and a dusting of grated dark chocolate.

📜 History

The Espresso Martini was created by London bartender Dick Bradsell in 1983. The Amarula version is a South African riff on that classic, swapping traditional coffee liqueur for Amarula Cream Liqueur, which is made from the fruit of the wild Marula tree native to sub-equatorial Africa. Amarula was first produced as a clear spirit in 1983 and relaunched as a cream liqueur in 1989. The Amarula Espresso Martini gained traction at South African cocktail bars and spread internationally as interest in both espresso martinis and African cream liqueurs grew through 2024 and 2025.

#espresso#south-african#amarula#coffee#after-dinner#martini#cream-liqueur