I love the combination of raspberry and coffee, so this raspberry espresso martini is always a hit! This easy cocktail features espresso, vodka, and Chambord raspberry liqueur for a delicious sip. You can serve one up for Valentine’s, date night, girls night, and more!
What is a Raspberry Espresso Martini?
A raspberry espresso martini is a fruity twist on the classic espresso martini, blending the bold richness of espresso with the sweetness of raspberries.
This simple cocktail combines espresso, vodka (bonus points for raspberry vodka), and Chambord, which is a raspberry flavored liqueur. The result is a luxurious drink with a perfect balance of bitterness from the coffee and a vibrant, fruity kick from the raspberry!
It’s a perfect choice for after-dinner drinks, and it pairs beautifully with raspberry, chocolate, and coffee-flavored desserts! I like to serve this martini on all sorts of occasions, like Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s, girls night, date night, and more – it’s so versatile and delicious!
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Ingredients List
- 1 ounce raspberry vodka (or plain)
- 1-2 ounces espresso, cooled (or cold brew)
- 1 ounce Chambord (or another raspberry liqueur)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Regular vodka is fine if you don’t have raspberry vodka, it just won’t be quite as raspberry forward
- I like to use cold brew espresso so I don’t have to brew and wait for it to cool. Since this is the only mixer in the drink, you can vary the amount used to help adjust the strength of the martini
- You can swap in Kahlua or another coffee liqueur instead of the Chambord, but then you’ll definitely want to use raspberry vodka, or add 1 tsp of raspberry-flavored syrup to compensate
- For a creamier drink (and to help cut the strength) you can add 1 ounce of heavy cream or half and half
- Garnishes are optional, but a skewer of raspberries and 3 coffee beans is a nice touch!
- Raspberry Chocolate Variation. Add a drizzle of white or regular chocolate syrup to the glass, or you can use white chocolate liqueur in place of half of the Chambord to create a raspberry chocolate espresso martini!
Step By Step Instructions
- Add the vodka, espresso, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a handful of ice cubes
- Shake until well chilled and frothy, at least 30 seconds, then pour into a martini glass (or similar)
- Enjoy immediately, with a cocktail pick of fresh berries or 3 coffee beans as garnish (optional)
What to Serve With a Raspberry Espresso Martini
A raspberry espresso martini pairs well with desserts or snacks that complement its rich, fruity, coffee-infused flavor profile. Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions!
Sweet Desserts
- Chocolate Treats: Dark chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries, or raspberry chocolate mousse are perfect for enhancing the drink’s rich flavors
- Cheesecake: Raspberry swirl or chocolate cheesecake provides a creamy and tangy complement to the martini!
- Cookies and Pastries: Buttery shortbread cookies or almond biscotti pair beautifully with the drink’s coffee notes (try my Air Fryer Biscotti for an easy homemade recipe)!
Fresh Fruit
- Berry Platters: Serve fresh raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries for a light, refreshing pairing
- Citrus Slices: Orange or grapefruit slices add a zesty contrast to the martini’s flavor profile
Savory Pairings
Charcuterie Board: Include soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, paired with fig preserves, to balance the sweetness of the drink. My Baked Brie With Fig Jam is a perfect pairing!
Savory Pastries: Mini quiches (these frozen mini quiche are great) or puff pastry bites (I like Trader Joe’s pastry bites) with mild flavors complement the cocktail without overpowering it
Recipe FAQs
What Alcohol Is Best For An Espresso Martini?
The classic choice for an espresso martini is vodka, which provides a smooth base that lets the coffee flavor shine. A traditional recipe also typically uses coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa or Tia Maria to enhance the coffee notes.
In this raspberry twist, raspberry liqueur is used instead of the coffee liqueur, and can be further reinforced with raspberry-flavored vodka depending how prominent you want the raspberry to be.
What Does An Espresso Martini Symbolize?
The three coffee beans typically used as a garnish on an espresso martini symbolize health, wealth, and happiness.
However, this cocktail is also often associated with sophistication and indulgence. It’s seen as a drink that bridges the gap between a coffee lover’s pick-me-up and a cocktail enthusiast’s evening libation.
What Is A Good Substitute For Kahlúa In An Espresso Martini?
In a traditional espresso martini, if you’re out of Kahlúa, other coffee liqueurs like Tia Maria or Mr. Black work well as substitutes.
For this raspberry version, Chambord or another raspberry liqueur is actually preferable to using Kahlua in the first place!
Tips For the Best Raspberry Espresso Martini
- For a colder cocktail, chill your martini glass in advance!
- Due to the raspberry liqueur, this drink is on the sweeter side (though not cloyingly sweet in my opinion). You can thin it with more espresso or half and half if desired, or use a sugar-free raspberry syrup instead of the liqueur to add flavor
- Espresso martinis are a strong cocktail due to the balance of alcohol to mixers. To decrease strength, add more espresso, or a splash of cream or half and half to balance it out
Serving and Presentation
- If your shaker has a strainer built in, you may need to open the top to pour your drink out (or else the iconic foam gets caught in the strainer)
- Glassware. A martini glass is the most common glass used for an espresso martini, but a coupe works equally well. You could also use a white wine glass in a pinch!
- An espresso martini is best enjoyed fresh. However, you can brew and chill your espresso in advance and store in the refrigerator if desired, allowing you to mix and serve quickly!
- Hot Chocolate Espresso Martini
- Orange Espresso Martini
Final Thoughts
This raspberry espresso martini is a fun berry twist on the classic espresso vodka cocktail that’s perfect for date night, girl’s night, Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s and many more occasions!
Of course, you can definitely customize the drink just the way you want, by changing up the strength, adding cream for, well, creaminess, or using a raspberry syrup and coffee liqueur to create different tastes.
Sometimes, I’ll even add chocolate or swap to black raspberry for a fun change of pace! So, if you’re looking for a simple yet unique cocktail that looks elegant, look no further than this easy martini.
Raspberry Espresso Martini (Easy Recipe With Chambord)
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Martini glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce raspberry vodka
- 1-2 ounces espresso (cooled, or cold brew)
- 1 ounce Chambord
Instructions
- Add the vodka, espresso, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a handful of ice cubes1 ounce raspberry vodka, 1-2 ounces espresso, 1 ounce Chambord
- Shake until well chilled and frothy, at least 30 seconds, then pour into a martini glass (or similar)
- Enjoy immediately, with a skewer of raspberries or 3 coffee beans as garnish (optional)
Notes
- Plain vodka is fine if you don’t have raspberry, it just won’t be quite as berry forward
- I prefer cold brew espresso so I don’t have to brew and wait for it to cool. You can vary the amount used to help adjust the strength of the martini
- You can swap in Kahlua or another coffee liqueur instead of the Chambord, but then you’ll definitely want raspberry vodka, or add 1 tsp of raspberry-flavored syrup to compensate
- For a creamier drink (and/or to cut the strength) you can add up to 1 ounce of heavy cream or half and half
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any additions or garnishes, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
