• Written by Rich McNabb • Proofread & Edited by Claude AI
How to make the perfect Espresso Martini
A simple Espresso Martini recipe, Angus's go to for whenever he's hosting. Equal parts vodka, espresso and Kahlúa, shaken hard for the best result.
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Espresso martini cocktail recipe
I met Angus while we were both working at HazardCo, a SaaS company for construction health and safety, back in 2020. Little did I know he’d end up giving me his go to espresso martini recipe years later.
He joined the team a few months after me as a Business Analyst and has been promoted a number of times since, most recently to Group Product Manager. He’s super smart, talented, easy to work with, and made my life as a Design Lead so much easier. We’d often jump on a video call, with Angus based in Taranaki and me in Wellington, to jam on ideas for new features and improvements. We had a knack for solving the problem in front of us without creating three new ones somewhere else in the app.
At the HazardCo Christmas party, he told me that whenever he has people over, this is his go to drink when he’s hosting or in charge of the bar. Three simple ingredients, one method, and it always lands well with a crowd. You don’t need to be Walter White from Breaking Bad to make bartender quality espresso martinis. No lab coat, no chemistry degree, just three ingredients and a decent shake.
Ingredients
- 1 part vodka
- 1 part espresso (or cold brew)
- 1 part Kahlúa
- A bag of ice
Equipment
- Martini glass
- Boston cocktail shaker
- Strainer
Method
Step 1: Add
Add a good handful of ice, vodka, espresso and Kahlúa into a Boston shaker.
Step 2: Shake
Shake hard for 15–20 seconds, or until the shaker is ice cold. As Angus says, “shake hard until your arms give out.”
Step 3: Test
Pour a small taste after shaking. If you want it stronger next time, add a splash more vodka. Prefer it sweeter? Add a little more Kahlúa.
Step 4: Serve
Strain in martini glass and serve.
Looking to level up?
These optional extras can really lift your game:
Chilled glass
Put your glass in the freezer beforehand, it holds the foam better.
Strain twice
Double strain for a cleaner texture with no ice shards.
Coffee beans
Finish with a few coffee beans on top.
Simple, reliable, and always a crowd pleaser
A good recipe works a bit like a good process. Simple ingredients, one clear method, and enough flexibility to adjust for who’s actually in the room.
That’s exactly what Angus brought to the table at HazardCo too. Personality, solid fundamentals, practical and actionable advice, and adaptable when the situation called for it. Some of the best working relationships come from people who make the complex feel simple, whether that’s a product roadmap or a round of drinks.
Good drinks deserve good music too. If you’re putting together a playlist for the evening, here are 50 of the most iconic albums worth playing in the background while you shake up the next round.