The Best Creamy Eggnog Espresso Martini
This recipe has been meticulously tested to create the perfect balance of festive eggnog spice and rich coffee flavor, all crowned with a velvety, foamy top. It's the only holiday cocktail recipe you'll need this season!
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Aged Rum or high-quality Bourbon, see Notes
- 1 oz Freshly Pulled Espresso chilled or Cold Brew Concentrate
- 0.75 oz Coffee Liqueur e.g., Mr. Black or Kahlúa
- 2 oz High-Quality Eggnog chilled
- 1 pinch Sea Salt
For Garnish:
- Freshly grated nutmeg
- 3 whole coffee beans
Instructions
- Chill Your Glass: Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. A properly chilled glass is essential.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the rum (or bourbon), chilled espresso, coffee liqueur, eggnog, and a small pinch of salt into a cocktail shaker.
- Dry Shake (Optional Pro-Tip): For the richest, most stable foam, seal the shaker without ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. This emulsifies the ingredients perfectly.
- Shake with Ice: Open the shaker, fill it three-quarters full with ice, and seal it tightly. Shake as hard as you can for 15-20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is frosty and painfully cold.
- Double Strain: Strain the cocktail through your shaker's strainer and simultaneously through a fine-mesh sieve placed over your chilled glass. This ensures a silky-smooth, ice-chip-free texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the foam settle for a moment. Grate a light dusting of fresh nutmeg over the top and gently place three coffee beans in the center. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Spirit Variations: This recipe is fantastic with aged rum or bourbon. For a cleaner, more coffee-forward taste, you can use a high-quality vodka. For a traditional twist, try brandy or cognac.
- The Best Coffee to Use: Freshly pulled espresso will yield the best foam (crema) and richest flavor. If you don't have an espresso machine, a strong cold brew concentrate is the next best option. Avoid using regular drip coffee, as it will make the drink watery.
- About the "Dry Shake": While optional, this step is the secret to a professional-looking, thick, and velvety foam top that lasts. We highly recommend it.
- Eggnog Choice: Use a full-fat dairy eggnog for the creamiest results. For a dairy-free version, a quality oat milk or almond milk-based eggnog also works well.
- To Make it Sweeter: If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add 1/4 oz (1.5 tsp) of simple syrup or maple syrup to the shaker along with the other ingredients.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!