Guinness Espresso Martini (with vanilla vodka!)

If you love an espresso martini and you're looking for a fun St. Patrick's Day twist on the classic, this Guinness Espresso Martini is exactly what you need. It has all the bold, coffee-forward flavor you expect from a traditional espresso martini, with a rich, creamy stout finish that makes it feel extra special, and extra Irish.

You’ll love this Guinness Espresso Martini

It's the ultimate St. Patrick's Day cocktail. Move over, green beer. This Irish espresso martini combines two icons, the classic espresso martini and a pint of Guinness, into one seriously impressive drink.

It's rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The Guinness adds a roasted, malty depth that takes this cocktail to a whole new level. Vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, and a splash of cocoa bitters round it out beautifully.

Ingredients

Vanilla Vodka. The subtle sweetness and bakery warmth of vanilla vodka is a natural complement to the roasted coffee notes in this drink. It's the secret to making this espresso martini taste a little more indulgent.

Coffee Liqueur. Kahlúa or any coffee liqueur you love works great here. It adds rich, sweet coffee flavor and rounds out the bitterness of the espresso.

Espresso. Use a freshly pulled shot and let it cool before shaking. Strong cold brew concentrate works in a pinch too, see substitutions below.

Demerara Syrup. The molasses-forward sweetness of demerara pairs beautifully with both the stout and the coffee. It's a small upgrade over simple syrup that makes a big difference.

Cocoa Bitters. This is the secret weapon. A couple of dashes adds subtle chocolate depth that ties all the flavors together without making the drink taste like a dessert.

Guinness. You only need a splash, but it adds a creamy, malty richness and creates that iconic foamy top. Use a can of Guinness Draught for the smoothest result.

How to make Guinness Espresso Martini

1. Add the vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso, demerara syrup, and cocoa bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until very cold and frothy.
2. Take the top off the shaker and add your Guinness.
3. Put the top back on and lightly shake again for about 10 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass or coupe.
5. Garnish with 3 espresso beans. 

Substitutions and variations

Simple Syrup. Don't have demerara syrup on hand? Regular simple syrup works just fine. The flavor will be slightly lighter, but still delicious. You could also use an Irish cream syrup for extra St. Patrick's Day vibes.

Irish Whiskey. Want to lean into the Irish theme even more? Swap out the vanilla vodka for Irish whiskey (Jameson is a great choice). This turns it into more of an Irish espresso martini — a little boozier and a little more complex.

Plain Vodka. If you don't have vanilla vodka, regular vodka works. You can add ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract to compensate for the missing flavor.

Garnish ideas

• 3 espresso beans: the classic espresso martini garnish, and always a crowd-pleaser
• Chocolate shavings: leans into the cocoa bitters and looks gorgeous on top of the foam
• Dusting of cocoa powder: simple, elegant, and very on-theme
• Luxardo cherry: adds a pop of color and a subtle sweetness

How to make a big batch of thisGuinness Espresso Martini 

Hosting a St. Patrick's Day party? This cocktail batches beautifully.

For 8 servings:

• 16 oz vanilla vodka
• 8 oz coffee liqueur
• 8 oz cooled espresso
• 2–3 oz demerara syrup (adjust to taste)
• 16 dashes cocoa bitters
• 8 oz Guinness (add just before serving)

Combine everything except the Guinness in a large pitcher and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, stir it, pour over ice into individual glasses, and top each one with about 1 oz of fresh Guinness. Add 2–3 oz of water to the pre-mix to account for the dilution you'd normally get from shaking.

FAQs

What does Guinness taste like in an espresso martini?

Guinness adds a creamy, roasted, slightly malty flavor that complements the coffee and chocolate notes in an espresso martini really well. It also creates a gorgeous foamy top similar to what you'd get from shaking the cocktail with a frother. You only use about 1 oz, so it enhances the drink without overpowering it.

Can I make a Guinness espresso martini without an espresso machine?

Absolutely! Strong cold brew concentrate is the easiest substitute! Use it 1:1 in place of espresso. You can also use a stovetop moka pot or a very strong drip coffee that's been chilled. Just make sure whatever you use is cold before adding it to the shaker.

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Want more St. Patrick’s Day cocktails?

• Irish Espresso Martini
• Irish Mule
• The Best Green Cocktails