Can I use cold brew instead of espresso?
Yes. Use 1 ounce of strong cold brew concentrate (or very strong cold brew). You will get slightly less foam than with espresso, but it still tastes great. To boost foam, shake longer and strain into a well-chilled glass.
Do Baileys and espresso curdle?
Usually no, especially in this ratio with alcohol in the mix, but it can happen if the espresso is too hot. The main thing is shake with plenty of ice to chill quickly. If your espresso is screaming hot, let it sit 1 to 2 minutes before shaking so it is warm, not lava.
What vodka is best for an espresso martini?
Any decent mid-range vodka works. If you have a vanilla vodka, it is a fun swap and plays nicely with Baileys.
Do I need coffee liqueur if I already have Baileys?
You can skip it, but the drink tastes flatter. Coffee liqueur adds that roasted sweetness and makes it taste more like a true espresso martini instead of spiked iced coffee.
How do I get a thicker foam?
Use freshly brewed espresso (cooled briefly), shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds, and strain immediately. A fine mesh strainer helps make the foam look tighter and smoother.
Can I make it without alcohol?
You can do a mocktail-style version with chilled espresso, a nonalcoholic coffee liqueur substitute (or coffee syrup), and an Irish cream-style nonalcoholic creamer. Shake with ice and strain. The flavor is similar, the buzz is not.
My foam did not happen. What went wrong?
Most of the time it is one of these: your espresso was not fresh (no crema), you did not use enough ice, or you did not shake hard enough. Fresh espresso plus a full shaker of ice plus an aggressive shake is the foam trifecta.
