Espresso Martini Affogato

This Espresso Martini Affogato is the dessert cocktail of your dreams! Chilled espresso (or cold brew) is spiked with vodka and Kahlua. Tying it all together with some sweet and creamy goodness is a scoop of coffee ice cream!

Espresso Martini Affogato

I’ve officially joined the masses with my two latest obsessions – espresso martinis and the pop song Espresso that’s all over the radio right now! If you didn’t already know, espresso martinis are kind of the it girl of the moment in the cocktail world, just like appletinis were back in the early 2000’s.

To celebrate the many wonders of the espresso martini, I’ve decided to marry it up with my other favorite boozy treat – the affogato! I love a good after-dinner cocktail and I think a proper affogato might just be my favorite… well, at least it was before I made this espresso martini affogato!

Basically, this is a coffee lovers dream come true. Cold brew (or chilled espresso) is spiked with just the right amount of vodka and Kahlua, then it’s made sweet and creamy with a scoop of coffee ice cream. It’s boozy, decadent, and easy to make – all of my favorite things!

Ingredients

Let’s take a quick look at that short (and sweet) shopping list!

• Coffee – You have two options here! Freshly brewed and chilled espresso is my usual go-to for an espresso martini. However, not everyone has access to an espresso machine – and that’s ok! In that case, some cold brew gets the job done.
• Vodka – Use a good brand. Remember, your cocktails will only ever be as good as the liquor you use to make them. A good middle of the road bottle is always a good option! You don’t need a super pricey top shelf option, but you also want to steer clear of the really cheap stuff.
• Kahlua – You can use another coffee liqueur if you’d like! Kahlua is my personal favorite.
• Coffee Ice Cream – Use a brand that you already know you like the taste of. To be honest… I’ve never met a coffee ice cream that I didn’t like!

How to Make an Espresso Martini Affogato

This easy dessert cocktail recipe comes together in just a few simple steps.

1. Chill. This is a very simple way to elevate your affogato! Chill your martini glass for about 15 minutes prior to making the cocktail.
2. Shake. Measure all of the ingredients accordingly and add them to a cocktail shaker (except for the ice cream). Add ice and vigorously shake for a few moments to thoroughly combine.
3. Scoop and pour. Add a scoop of coffee ice cream to a chilled martini glass. Feel free to measure that scoop with your heart! Then, pour the contents of the shaker into the glass through a strainer.
4. Enjoy! There should be some foam in your cocktail shaker. Don’t throw it away! Instead, use it to garnish your gorgeous dessert martini. Serve immediately.

Can I just use regular coffee?

Here’s the deal… you can, but it will not taste quite right. An espresso martini purist will flat out tell you no, only espresso can be used. However, I’ve made this drink with cold brew and it’s just as tasty! The trick to a good espresso martini is a strong, bold coffee flavor, which more often than not can’t be achieved with regular coffee.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Sadly, nope! The star of the show here is ice cream, which will melt pretty quickly the longer it sits. It’s best to assemble your espresso martini affogatos right before you plan on serving them.

More of the best easy martini recipes!

• Irish Espresso Martini
• Sugar Cookie Martini
• Chocolate Martini
• Peppermint Mocha Espresso Martini
• Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

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