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Pink Owl Kitchen » Recipes » Beverages » Espresso Martini Mocktail (Virgin Espresso Martini)

Espresso Martini Mocktail (Virgin Espresso Martini)

Published: Feb 9, 2023 · Modified: Dec 11, 2023 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

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A bold but smooth espresso martini mocktail made with chilled espresso, brown sugar syrup, and a spiced non-alcoholic spirit. This non-alcoholic martini is beautiful, tasty, and easy to make!

Espresso martini mocktails on a metal tray.

I am celebrating 3 years of sobriety tomorrow (cue the confetti!) and recently decided to share more delicious mocktail recipes I've discovered over the years. Espresso martinis are having a major comeback and as someone who is coffee-obsessed, I HAD to create a non-alcoholic version!

For more tasty non-alcoholic beverages, check out our Grapefruit Ginger Beer Mocktail and Honey Blackberry Smash Mocktail recipes next!

Table of Contents
  • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
  • How To Make This Mocktail
  • What Is an Espresso Martini?
  • More FAQs
  • Recommended Tools For This Recipe
  • More Tasty Beverages You Will Love!
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

  • Espresso. You want to use really strong espresso for this mocktail. Cold brew, freshly ground, or k-cups work fine. If you have an espresso machine, that's even better! Chill your coffee before making your mocktail.
  • Seedlip Spice 94. This is an aromatic, spiced non-alcoholic spirit that replaces the vodka in this espresso martini mocktail. You may omit this ingredient or use another non-alcoholic vodka alternative.
  • Brown sugar syrup (ingredients listed below). This rich simple syrup provides a sweet, syrupy element and acts as a substitute for Kahlua. Our Starbucks Copycat Vanilla Syrup is also delicious in this mocktail.
  • Coffee beans. An espresso martini isn't complete without those 3 iconic coffee beans on top!

Brown Sugar Syrup

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Espresso martini mocktails on a metal tray.

How To Make This Mocktail

  • Make the brown sugar syrup by bringing the water and brown sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the syrup reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and allow the sugar to completely dissolve. Stir in the vanilla extract and chill the syrup in the refrigerator.
  • Add the chilled espresso, Seedlip Spice 94, and brown sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill the shaker about ⅔ full with ice. Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker back and forth using both hands for about 45 seconds.
  • Strain the mocktail into a martini glass. Shake what's left in the cocktail shaker again for about 15 seconds and strain that into the glass to add more foam on top. This step is key in getting that thick foam layer that espresso martinis are known for!
  • Garnish the martini by placing three coffee or espresso beans on top and enjoy!
Espresso martini mocktails on a metal tray.

What Is an Espresso Martini?

An espresso martini is a caffeinated cocktail made with strong coffee, vodka, and coffee liqueur (typically Kahlua). The ingredients are shaken and strained into a martini glass.

Espresso martinis have a bold coffee flavor combined with rich sweetness from the coffee liquor and a bite that comes from vodka.

This non-alcoholic espresso martini combines those same flavors with a smoother finish and no after-burn. Coffee lovers, you may also love our Starbucks Copycat Chocolate Cream Cold Brew!

More FAQs

What is the white foam on top of espresso martinis?

The white foam layer that espresso martinis are known for is simply froth made from shaking the ingredients vigorously in a cocktail shaker. Fresh, good-quality espresso helps you get the most impressive layer of foam!

What coffee is best for an espresso martini?

For the best flavor and an impressive foam layer, your espresso martini must be made with fresh, good-quality espresso! If you do not have an espresso machine, use freshly ground espresso in a French press.

What else can I use instead of vodka in a non-alcoholic martini?

Luckily, we live in a time where there are tons of great non-alcoholic spirit options available to create incredible-tasting mocktails. My favorite vodka alternatives are all of the Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit flavors, Caleno non-alcoholic spirit, and Amass Riverine non-alcoholic spirit.

Espresso martini mocktails on a metal tray.

Recommended Tools For This Recipe

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Bartending jigger
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Martini glasses

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If you tried this Chewy Spiced Molasses Cookies recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

📖 Recipe

Espresso martini mocktails on a metal tray.

Espresso Martini Mocktail (Virgin Espresso Martini)

Ashley Boyd
A bold but smooth espresso martini mocktail made with chilled espresso, brown sugar syrup, and a spiced non-alcoholic spirit. This non-alcoholic martini is beautiful, tasty, and easy to make!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Beverage
Cuisine American
Prevent your screen from going dark
Servings 1 mocktail
Calories 76 kcal

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Bartender jigger
  • Martini glasses

Ingredients
  

Brown Sugar Syrup

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Espresso Martini Mocktail

  • 2 ounces chilled espresso
  • 1 ½ ounces Seedlip Spice 45
  • 1 ounce brown sugar syrup

Instructions
 

  • Make the brown sugar syrup ahead of time by bringing the water and brown sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the syrup reaches a boil, remove it from the heat and allow the sugar to completely dissolve. Stir in the vanilla extract and chill the syrup in the refrigerator.
  • Add the chilled espresso, Seedlip Spice 94, and brown sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker and fill the shaker about ⅔ full with ice. Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker back and forth using both hands for about 45 seconds.
  • Strain the mocktail into a martini glass. Shake what's left in the cocktail shaker again for a few seconds and strain that into the glass to add more foam on top. This step is key in getting that thick foam layer that espresso martinis are known for!
  • Garnish the espresso martini by placing three coffee or espresso beans on top and enjoy!

Notes

  • For the best flavor and an impressive foam layer, your espresso martini must be made with fresh, good-quality espresso.
  • Seedlip Spice 94 is a spiced non-alcoholic spirit that takes the place of vodka in this mocktail. You may omit this ingredient or substitute another non-alcoholic spirit or ½ ounce of heavy cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Mocktail | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 65mg | Sugar: 21g | Calcium: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Loretta Van buren

    February 13, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent

    Reply
    • Ashley Boyd

      February 16, 2023 at 1:17 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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