Ah, Christmas. The season of cosy jumpers, endless Mariah Carey, and pretending you actually enjoy your aunt’s Christmas trifle. But if you really want to sleigh (pun absolutely intended) the holiday season, there’s one cocktail that’ll keep you jolly and energised: the Espresso Martini — made with our signature Brazilian Love Affair coffee beans. Because let’s be real, we all need a little caffeine to survive the endless rounds of Jingle Bells.
So grab your shaker, a splash of holiday cheer, and let’s whip up a Christmas cocktail that’s merry, bright, and delightfully caffeinated.
- Pull a shot of espresso using your machine, if you don’t have one, no stress—an Aeropress or Moka pot can work too. Just make sure it’s strong — this martini has to power you through at least two rounds of Christmas carols.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the espresso cool down completely — a warm shot helps blend the flavours better. But if you're juggling a turkey and 12 guests, it’s okay to let it sit for a bit. Just don’t let it go ice cold — you know, like your cousin’s attitude after Secret Santa goes wrong.
Fill your shaker two-thirds full with ice. If you want to make things extra festive, put on a holiday playlist — shaking a cocktail is 50% more fun if All I Want For Christmas Is You is playing in the background.
Tip: If you hear any sleigh bells jingling, that’s probably just your cocktail shaker. Keep going.
Now it’s time to get merry. Pour 50ml of vodka into your shaker like you're pouring holiday cheer into everyone's glasses. Then, add 25ml of coffee liqueur. If you’re feeling extra Christmassy, swap out Kahlúa for a gingerbread or spiced liqueur — it’s like giving your espresso martini a Santa-approved upgrade.
Don’t forget 10ml of simple syrup (or more if your sweet tooth says so). It's the holiday season after all, a little indulgence is allowed.
Now, pour your freshly brewed 200 Degrees coffee into the shaker. This is where the holiday magic really happens. The deep, bold flavour of the coffee mingles with the vodka and liqueur, creating a rich, decadent concoction that’s just begging to be sipped by a roaring fire.
Bonus Tip: If you want your martini to have a thicker foam (and let's face it, who doesn't?), shake the espresso while it's still warm. The heat helps create that velvety top layer of foam that makes the drink feel extra indulgent.
Now for the fun part! Pop the lid on your shaker and give it a good, vigorous shake. Imagine you’re trying to jingle all the way — you need to go all-in for at least 20 seconds to get that signature martini foam.
When the shaker is frosted and your arm feels like you’ve just shovelled the driveway, you’re ready to move on.
Festive Fact: The shaking aerates the espresso, giving it that frothy texture and making the drink look as fluffy as freshly fallen snow.
Grab your most elegant martini glass (because presentation is everything) and double-strain the mixture to remove any ice shards. Watch as the deep, dark espresso martini fills the glass, topped with a creamy layer of foam. This, is Christmas in a cup.
Tip: If your glass isn’t chilled, quickly pop it in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring. No one likes a lukewarm martini, not even Rudolph.
Now it's time to make it festive. For a classic espresso martini, top the foam with three coffee beans. But since it’s Christmas, let’s go a little extra!
- Dust the top with cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced aroma that says "holiday magic."
- Add a few chocolate shavings for a decadent touch.
- Feeling fancy? Drop a cinnamon stick in for a garnish that’s both stylish and aromatic.
Sit back by the Christmas tree, take a slow sip and think about all the Christmas shopping you still haven’t done. Don’t worry — with one of these in hand, you’ll feel ready to tackle anything, even last-minute gift wrapping.
So grab your shaker, a splash of holiday cheer, and let’s whip up a Christmas cocktail that’s merry, bright, and delightfully caffeinated.
What You'll Need for 1 Cocktail:
- 50ml vodka
- 25ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa, or if you're feeling fancy, a gingerbread-flavoured liqueur)
- 50ml freshly made Brazilian Love Affair espresso
- 10ml simple syrup (add more if you’ve been on Santa’s nice list)
- Ice cubes (enough to keep things cool when things heat up)
- Cocktail shaker (it's not a party without one)
- Coffee Beans or a festive garnish: Think cinnamon sticks, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of nutmeg. We’re going for winter wonderland vibes here.Step 1: Brew the Espresso – Santa’s Secret Weapon
First things first: the espresso. Grind your beans (if you haven’t already) to a fine espresso grind. You’ll want a burr grinder for precision here — Santa would approve.- Pull a shot of espresso using your machine, if you don’t have one, no stress—an Aeropress or Moka pot can work too. Just make sure it’s strong — this martini has to power you through at least two rounds of Christmas carols.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the espresso cool down completely — a warm shot helps blend the flavours better. But if you're juggling a turkey and 12 guests, it’s okay to let it sit for a bit. Just don’t let it go ice cold — you know, like your cousin’s attitude after Secret Santa goes wrong.
Step 2: Prepare the Ice (and Maybe Your Playlist)
Fill your shaker two-thirds full with ice. If you want to make things extra festive, put on a holiday playlist — shaking a cocktail is 50% more fun if All I Want For Christmas Is You is playing in the background.
Tip: If you hear any sleigh bells jingling, that’s probably just your cocktail shaker. Keep going.
Step 3: Add the Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, and Syrup – Christmas in a Glass
Now it’s time to get merry. Pour 50ml of vodka into your shaker like you're pouring holiday cheer into everyone's glasses. Then, add 25ml of coffee liqueur. If you’re feeling extra Christmassy, swap out Kahlúa for a gingerbread or spiced liqueur — it’s like giving your espresso martini a Santa-approved upgrade.
Don’t forget 10ml of simple syrup (or more if your sweet tooth says so). It's the holiday season after all, a little indulgence is allowed.
Step 4: The Star of the Show — Add your Brazilian Love Affair espresso
Now, pour your freshly brewed 200 Degrees coffee into the shaker. This is where the holiday magic really happens. The deep, bold flavour of the coffee mingles with the vodka and liqueur, creating a rich, decadent concoction that’s just begging to be sipped by a roaring fire.
Bonus Tip: If you want your martini to have a thicker foam (and let's face it, who doesn't?), shake the espresso while it's still warm. The heat helps create that velvety top layer of foam that makes the drink feel extra indulgent.
Step 5: Shake, Shake, Shake – Santa-Style
Now for the fun part! Pop the lid on your shaker and give it a good, vigorous shake. Imagine you’re trying to jingle all the way — you need to go all-in for at least 20 seconds to get that signature martini foam.
When the shaker is frosted and your arm feels like you’ve just shovelled the driveway, you’re ready to move on.
Festive Fact: The shaking aerates the espresso, giving it that frothy texture and making the drink look as fluffy as freshly fallen snow.
Step 6: Strain and Pour – The Moment of Truth
Grab your most elegant martini glass (because presentation is everything) and double-strain the mixture to remove any ice shards. Watch as the deep, dark espresso martini fills the glass, topped with a creamy layer of foam. This, is Christmas in a cup.
Tip: If your glass isn’t chilled, quickly pop it in the freezer for a few minutes before pouring. No one likes a lukewarm martini, not even Rudolph.
Step 7: Garnish – Deck the Drinks
Now it's time to make it festive. For a classic espresso martini, top the foam with three coffee beans. But since it’s Christmas, let’s go a little extra!
- Dust the top with cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced aroma that says "holiday magic."
- Add a few chocolate shavings for a decadent touch.
- Feeling fancy? Drop a cinnamon stick in for a garnish that’s both stylish and aromatic.
Step 8: Sip and Feel the Christmas Cheer
Sit back by the Christmas tree, take a slow sip and think about all the Christmas shopping you still haven’t done. Don’t worry — with one of these in hand, you’ll feel ready to tackle anything, even last-minute gift wrapping.