Non-Alcoholic Espresso Martini: What to Buy and How to Make It
The bottles to buy, a two-minute method, how to make it without vodka, and what to know about caffeine.
A non-alcoholic Espresso Martini is fresh espresso, a coffee liqueur alternative and a vodka alternative, shaken hard with ice until it foams. The coffee liqueur is the part you can’t easily skip: without it, the drink tastes like iced coffee. You can buy the two bottles as a set and make it in two minutes, or start with just a coffee liqueur alternative. We don’t have a canned espresso martini in stock right now, so making it is the way. Here’s what to buy and how.
What to buy
- <0.5%
- Never Alcoholized
- Australia
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- Spain
- 0.0%
- Never Alcoholized
- United Kingdom
- <0.5%
- Dealcoholized
- United States
See every non-alcoholic spirit →
Make it in two minutes
Brew the espresso
One fresh shot, about 1 oz. Fresh espresso gives the foam; cold brew concentrate works but foams less.
Add the bottles
1 oz coffee liqueur alternative and 1½ oz vodka alternative to a shaker.
Shake hard
Fill with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds. This is what makes the foam.
Double strain
Strain into a chilled coupe through a fine sieve so the foam stays smooth.
Garnish
Three coffee beans on the foam.
Full method in our espresso martini mocktail recipe. “Double strain” and other terms are in what the recipes mean.
Without vodka, or with one bottle
- One bottle: espresso and a coffee liqueur alternative, shaken with ice, is still a good drink; it’s richer and sweeter without the vodka alternative.
- Without any bottles: espresso, a little simple syrup and a splash of vanilla, shaken hard. It’s closer to an iced coffee, but it foams.
- For 0.0%: Mommos Coffee Special and USKO Original are both 0.0%; Lyre’s bottles are under 0.5%. Here’s what the labels mean.
Make or buy?
Buy the set if
- You’ll make it more than once: two bottles make many drinks
- You want it closest to the classic
- You’re making a round for friends
Keep it simple if
- You only want one now and then
- You already have a coffee liqueur alternative
- You want a canned coffee drink: the Espresso Old Fashioned is the nearest thing
Things to know
- Caffeine: it’s a coffee drink. The FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects in healthy adults (FDA); use decaf espresso in the evening or if you’re limiting caffeine.
- Once opened, non-alcoholic spirits don’t keep as long as regular ones; Lyre’s say refrigerate and finish within twelve weeks. See how long they keep.
- Starting a shelf? See what to buy first.
More recipes in 25 zero-proof cocktail recipes.
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Common questions
How do you make a non-alcoholic espresso martini?
Shake 1 oz fresh espresso, 1 oz coffee liqueur alternative and 1½ oz vodka alternative hard with ice for 15 seconds, then double strain into a chilled coupe and top with three coffee beans.
Can you make an espresso martini without vodka?
Yes. Espresso and a coffee liqueur alternative shaken with ice still makes a good, slightly richer drink. Without any bottles, use espresso, simple syrup and a little vanilla.
Is there a canned non-alcoholic espresso martini?
Some brands make one, but we don't have one in stock right now. The Free Spirits Espresso Old Fashioned is the nearest canned coffee cocktail we carry.
Does a non-alcoholic espresso martini have caffeine?
Yes, from the espresso. Use decaf espresso if you're having it in the evening or limiting caffeine.
