Banana Bread Espresso Martini

This past summer, I was seeing banana bread lattes all over my social media feeds. What better way to put my own twist on it than to make it into a banana bread espresso martini? If you love banana-flavored things, you are going to love this espresso martini variation. 

You’ll love this banana bread espresso martini

It’s delicious. If you love banana bread and espresso martinis, you will love this! It’s the perfect combination of flavor! 

It’s easy to make. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! I feel like this is a lot of ingredients compared to my other cocktails, but it’s still so easy to make.

It’s such a fun twist. This takes your traditional espresso martini to a whole new, fun, and fruity level. 

Ingredients

Vodka. Yes, I do use a mix of vodkas in this recipe! To avoid being too overly sweet, I like mixing both plain vodka and vanilla vodka. For the plain vodka, use whatever brand you prefer!

Vanilla Vodka. The vanilla vodka is exactly what you need for that hint of vanilla flavor to really bring everything else together. It’s like the vanilla extract in a traditional banana bread recipe. 

Banana Liqueur. I have 99 bananas on my bar cart, but use any banana liqueur that you can find at your local liquor store. 

Amaretto. Just a little splash of amaretto, which is an almond-flavored Italian liqueur, brings the hint of nutty sweetness to this cocktail that pairs so well with the banana and espresso flavors. 

Espresso. Of course, you need espresso for an espresso martini! I use a double espresso Nespresso Vertuo pod. I absolutely love my Nespresso if you’re looking for a coffee machine. If you don’t have a Nespresso, I’ve included other ways to make espresso below!

Bailey’s. Bailey’s, or any Irish Cream, is a must! It adds that hint of creaminess to the cocktail to make it that much more delicious. 

How to make a banana bread espresso martini

1. Brew your espresso and set it aside to allow it to cool off.
2. In a cocktail shaker, add your vodka, banana liqueur, amaretto, Bailey’s, and espresso. 
3. Add ice and don’t cover it right away. Give the shaker a gentle swirl to allow the espresso to cool slightly more. If you close the shaker right away and shake it, you may get espresso martini everywhere. 
4. Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 60 seconds, or until your hands can’t handle the cold anymore.
5. Strain into a coupe glass or martini glass.
6. Garnish with a banana chip or 3 espresso beans.
7.  Enjoy! 

Different ways to make espresso for espresso martinis

Espresso Machine. Whether you have an espresso machine that takes grounds or a machine like a Nespresso, this is my go-to way to get espresso shots for espresso martinis.

Moka Pot. This is a super inexpensive machine to get if you really only want to brew espresso shots for at-home espresso martinis. 

Brewed Espresso or Cold Brew Concentrate. If you want to buy just espresso, there are a few brands, like Starbucks or Café Bustelo, that sell ready-to-go espresso. Alternatively, you can also use cold brew concentrate. You may not get that thick foamy froth on top, but flavor-wise, it’ll do the trick.

Local Coffee Shop. You can always just order a shot or two of espresso from your local coffee shop!

Garnish ideas

• Banana Chip
• Espresso Beans

FAQs

What is the secret to a good espresso martini?

I have two secrets to giving you the best homemade espresso martini. First, using fresh espresso will give you that foamy frothy top. Second, vigorously shake for at least a minute! It seems long but trust me, it’s worth it. 

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Want more espresso martini recipes?

• Tiramisu Espresso Martini
• Bourbon Espresso Martini
• Creamy Espresso Martini with Bailey’s