11 New Year Espresso Martini Variations to Ring in 2026

The Espresso Martini: the perfect pick-me-up for any celebration, especially when ringing in the New Year. It's chic, it's caffeinated, and it's the ideal way to keep the party going past midnight. But why stick to the original when you can elevate your celebration with a twist? We've crafted 11 sensational variations, each bringing a unique flavor profile to this beloved classic. Get your shakers ready, because 2026 is starting with a serious buzz!

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1. Peppermint Bark Espresso Martini

This festive twist captures the cool, minty essence of holiday peppermint bark, balanced with rich coffee and smooth vodka.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vodka (peppermint-infused if you're feeling ambitious)

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz White Crème de Cacao

• 0.25 oz Peppermint Schnapps

• Crushed candy cane for rimming (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare the Glass: If you desire a festive rim, gently moisten the rim of your chilled martini glass with a lime wedge or a small amount of simple syrup. Then, press the rim into a shallow plate of finely crushed candy cane pieces. Set aside.

2. Gather Ingredients: Measure the vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, white crème de cacao, and peppermint schnapps into a cocktail shaker.

3. Add Ice: Fill the shaker completely with fresh, high-quality ice cubes. Using enough ice is crucial for achieving the perfect chill and dilution.

4. Seal and Shake Vigorously: Secure the lid tightly on the shaker. Shake the mixture extremely hard for about 15-20 seconds. This vigorous shaking is what creates the iconic, velvety foam on top of the martini. You want the outside of the shaker to be painfully cold.

5. Double Strain: Place a fine-mesh strainer over your prepared martini glass and pour the mixture from the shaker through the strainer. This removes any small ice chips and ensures a smooth, professional texture.

6. Garnish: Garnish the top of the foam with a light dusting of extra crushed candy cane or three whole coffee beans.

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2. Salted Caramel Crunch Espresso Martini

A decadent and luxurious take, combining the savory note of sea salt with sweet caramel and the boldness of espresso.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vanilla Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Salted Caramel Syrup

• Pinch of Flaky Sea Salt

Directions

1. Chill Your Glass: Always start with a deeply chilled martini or coupe glass. Place it in the freezer while you prepare the drink.

2. Combine Liquids: Pour the vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and salted caramel syrup into your cocktail shaker.

3. The Salt Factor: Add a small pinch of flaky sea salt directly into the shaker with the liquids. This will help the salt dissolve and integrate the savory flavor throughout the cocktail.

4. Ice and Shake: Fill the shaker to the brim with ice. Close the shaker and shake with powerful, rapid movements for a full 20 seconds. This is key to emulsifying the syrup and coffee for a thick, foamy head.

5. Strain Carefully: Retrieve your chilled glass and double-strain the cocktail into it to ensure a silky texture.

6. Final Touch: Garnish by lightly drizzling a thin stream of caramel sauce over the surface of the foam, and finish with a tiny sprinkle of extra flaky sea salt.

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3. Spiced Cinnamon Roll Espresso Martini

It tastes like dessert in a glass—warm, comforting, and subtly spiced, reminiscent of a freshly baked cinnamon roll.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Spiced Rum (or regular vodka)

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Cinnamon Simple Syrup (easily made by simmering sugar, water, and cinnamon sticks)

• A dash of heavy cream (optional, for a creamier texture)

• Ground cinnamon for garnish

Directions

1. Syrup Preparation: Ensure your cinnamon simple syrup is ready and cooled. If you don't have spiced rum, use vodka and a small extra dash of the syrup.

2. Measure and Pour: Add the spiced rum, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and cinnamon simple syrup to the shaker. If using, include a small dash of heavy cream now.

3. Load the Shaker: Fill the shaker with ice, making sure you have enough to properly chill the drink without over-diluting it.

4. The Hard Shake: Close the shaker and shake very hard—think a full 20 seconds of intense movement. The goal is to create the maximum amount of aeration for a rich foam.

5. Serve Immediately: Double strain the mix into your chilled coupe glass. The foam should rise to the top beautifully.

6. Garnish: Take a small sieve or shaker and lightly dust the surface of the foam with ground cinnamon. You can also place a small, elegant cinnamon stick across the rim.

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4. Coconut Cream Pie Espresso Martini

A tropical, creamy version that swaps traditional heavy notes for the lightness of coconut and a hint of vanilla.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Coconut-flavored Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Cream of Coconut (not coconut milk)

• Toasted coconut flakes for garnish

Directions

1. Chill Your Glassware: Ensure your cocktail glass is fully chilled before starting.

2. Combine Ingredients: Measure the coconut vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and the thick cream of coconut into the cocktail shaker. Cream of coconut is sweet and adds necessary body.

3. Ice: Add plenty of fresh ice to the shaker.

4. Shake to Perfection: Close the lid firmly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. It is essential to shake well, especially with the cream of coconut, to emulsify the fat and create a stable, thick foam layer.

5. Strain: Double strain the cocktail into your chilled glass.

6. Garnish: Sprinkle the top of the foam with a generous pinch of toasted coconut flakes for both texture and aroma.

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5. Raspberry White Chocolate Espresso Martini

Fruity and sweet, this variation introduces the tartness of raspberry against the mellow sweetness of white chocolate.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz White Chocolate Liqueur

• 0.25 oz Raspberry Liqueur (e.g., Chambord)

• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare: Gather all ingredients, making sure your espresso is cold and your glass is chilled.

2. Mix the Base: Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, white chocolate liqueur, and raspberry liqueur into your shaker.

3. Add Ice and Shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes. Seal the lid and shake with great enthusiasm for at least 15 seconds. The white chocolate liqueur requires a good, hard shake to properly integrate.

4. Pour: Double strain the contents into your chilled martini or coupe glass.

5. Garnish: Thread two or three fresh raspberries onto a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim of the glass, or simply float a few raspberries on the foam.

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6. Mexican Hot Chocolate Espresso Martini

A warming and complex flavor profile that blends rich cocoa, cinnamon, and a subtle kick of chili.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Reposado Tequila or Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Crème de Cacao (Dark)

• A pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder

• A dash of Cinnamon Simple Syrup

Directions

1. Choose Your Spirit: While vodka is traditional, using a Reposado Tequila adds an earthy complexity that pairs beautifully with the Mexican chocolate flavors. Measure your chosen spirit.

2. Combine Flavors: Add the coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, dark crème de cacao, cinnamon simple syrup, and a small, delicate pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the shaker. Start with a very small pinch—you can always add more, but you can't take it away!

3. Shake it Cold: Add ice and shake rigorously until the shaker is thoroughly frosted on the outside.

4. Strain and Serve: Double strain the mixture into your chilled glass. The resulting cocktail will be rich and dark.

5. Garnish: Garnish with a light dusting of cocoa powder and an even lighter dusting of chili powder on the foam, or place a small square of high-quality dark chocolate on the rim.

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7. Toasted Marshmallow Espresso Martini

Sweet and smoky, this cocktail replicates the flavor of marshmallows toasted over a bonfire, a fun, comforting twist.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Marshmallow-flavored Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (or vanilla syrup)

• A drop of Liquid Smoke (optional, use very sparingly)

• A mini marshmallow for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Garnish: If you have a kitchen torch, gently toast the mini marshmallow until lightly browned and caramelized. Set aside.

2. Measure Liquids: Pour the marshmallow vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and simple syrup into your cocktail shaker. If using, add a single, tiny drop of liquid smoke now.

3. Fill and Shake: Add plenty of ice. Seal the shaker and shake with force for a solid 20 seconds. The aim is maximum chill and froth.

4. Pour: Double strain the dark liquid into your chilled glass.

5. Garnish: Gently float the prepared toasted mini marshmallow on top of the velvety foam.

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8. Orange Zest & Cardamom Espresso Martini

A sophisticated, aromatic variation, borrowing complexity from Middle Eastern flavors with bright citrus and warm, floral cardamom.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vodka (or Gin for an herbaceous kick)

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Cardamom Simple Syrup

• Peel from one fresh orange (for zest and garnish)

Directions

1. Syrup Time: Prepare or ensure you have cardamom simple syrup (made by simmering sugar, water, and 4-5 crushed green cardamom pods).

2. Measure: Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and the cardamom simple syrup to the shaker.

3. The Citrus Infusion: Before adding ice, use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove a strip of fresh orange peel. Express the oils over the liquid in the shaker by twisting the peel. Drop the peel into the shaker.

4. The Shake: Add ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.

5. Strain: Double strain the contents into your chilled glass, ensuring the tiny ice chips and old orange peel are filtered out.

6. Garnish: Take a fresh, clean strip of orange peel and twist it over the surface of the drink to release fresh oils, then place it elegantly on the rim.

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9. Gingerbread Spice Espresso Martini

Perfect for the colder months, this variation is richly spiced with molasses and ginger, capturing the flavor of a classic gingerbread cookie.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Dark Rum

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Gingerbread Syrup (or molasses and ginger extract)

• A dash of Allspice liqueur (optional)

• Crushed ginger snaps for rimming (optional)

Directions

1. Rim Preparation: If desired, rim your glass with crushed ginger snap cookies.

2. Combine and Measure: Pour the dark rum, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, gingerbread syrup, and optional allspice liqueur into the shaker.

3. Add Ice and Vigorously Shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake harder than you think necessary for a full 20 seconds.

4. Filter and Serve: Double strain into your prepared, chilled glass.

5. Garnish: Dust the foam with a light sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg and place a small ginger snap cookie on the rim.

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10. Classic Amaretto Espresso Martini

A nod to Italian desserts, the nutty, sweet flavor of amaretto liqueur adds a warm, almond depth to the traditional recipe.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Vodka

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.75 oz Amaretto Liqueur

• Almond slices for garnish

Directions

1. Gather: Ensure your espresso is freshly brewed and completely cooled. Chill your martini glass.

2. Mix: Combine the vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, and the full measure of amaretto liqueur in the cocktail shaker.

3. Ice and Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake with great energy for a prolonged period (15-20 seconds) to create that perfect layer of crema-like foam.

4. Strain: Double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass, holding back any small ice shards.

5. Garnish: Place three whole coffee beans on the foam for the classic visual, and add one or two elegant slivers of almond on the rim of the glass.

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11. Maple Pecan Praline Espresso Martini

A rich, buttery, and comforting drink that evokes the flavors of a southern praline candy, with the dark sweetness of maple syrup.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Bourbon (or Vodka)

• 1 oz Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)

• 0.5 oz Pure Maple Syrup (Grade A Dark or Very Dark)

• 0.25 oz Pecan Liqueur or a dash of black walnut bitters

• Candied Pecan for garnish

Directions

1. Select Your Spirit: Bourbon adds a beautiful, oaky warmth to this drink, but vodka works perfectly if you prefer a cleaner spirit taste. Measure your spirit of choice.

2. Sweeten and Flavor: Add the coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, pure maple syrup, and the pecan liqueur (or black walnut bitters) to the shaker.

3. Ice and Agitate: Fill the shaker completely with ice. The maple syrup makes this liquid slightly heavier, so you must shake extra hard and long—around 20 seconds minimum—to lift and aerate the drink properly.

4. Serve: Double strain into your chilled cocktail glass.

5. Garnish: Float a single candied pecan on the foam, and if you're feeling fancy, drizzle a tiny bit of maple syrup over the top for a decadent finish.