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    Home > Recipes > Drinks > Cocktails

    Rum Espresso Martini

    Published: Nov 15, 2023 · by Veronika Sykorova · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    152 shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review
    Espresso martini in a coupe glass with a layer of foam on top garnished with three coffee beans.

    This Rum Espresso Martini is a fun rum twist on the classic espresso martini that's made with vodka. Golden and dark rum goes really well with coffee and Kahlua and makes a great fall drink. Add some chocolate bitters and maple syrup to make it extra special!

    Espresso martini in a coupe glass with a layer of foam on top garnished with three coffee beans.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Serving and Storing
    • FAQs
    • Similar Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    A fun twist on the classic - We all know and love the classic espresso martini with vodka but it's fun to mix things up once in a while which is how this rum version came about. I shared a Tequila Espresso Martini a while ago so I had to try it with rum too. I might just like this one even more!

    The perfect flavor combination - Gold or dark rum both go really well with coffee and chocolate and it just works really well in this cocktail. You can also use spiced rum for even more flavor! The cocktail calls for maple syrup and chocolate bitters and both of them pair really well with coffee and rum.

    Easy to make - This drink doesn't require any homemade syrups or any special ingredients or steps. The only thing you need is an espresso maker for the coffee. I like my Nespresso but any machine works! The recipe comes together in under 5 minutes and it's almost totally foolproof!

    Espresso martini in a wide glass from above with only the foam visible garnished with three coffee beans.

    Ingredients

    • Rum - I recommend making this cocktail with golden or dark rum. White rum is more tropical and summery and doesn't work as well in this particular drink with coffee.
    • Coffee liqueur - You can use any coffee liqueur you have but Kahlua is the most common one and it works well in this cocktail because it's made with rum.
    • Espresso - Freshly brewed espresso is what's used in a classic espresso martini and what I recommend. It will yield the best foam on top of your cocktail. If you don't have an espresso maker, you can use cold-brew coffee, strongly brewed coffee, or french press.
    • Maple syrup - Instead of making simple syrup, I decided to just keep it simple and use maple syrup for this drink. Plus it adds a little maple flavor that goes well with this rum. If you want to make your own syrup, I recommend this Vanilla Simple Syrup!
    • Bitters - This one is optional but I like adding chocolate bitters for added flavor. Chocolate and coffee go really well together and it works in this drink. My favorite are these hazelnut chocolate bitters from a local Toronto brand called Nickel 9.
    Rum, Kahlua, maple syrup, bitters, and espresso beans in small glass bowls with text overlay.

    Variations and Substitutions

    Different coffee - If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use strong brewed coffee or cold brew. It just may not give you the same foam you'd get with an espresso. I use a Nespresso machine, it's super easy to use and makes good espresso for cocktails.

    Decaf - Use decaf espresso or your favorite decaf coffee if you're trying to avoid caffeine.

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    Non-alcoholic - You can make the drink non-alcoholic by leaving out the Kahlua and substituting the rum for a non-alcoholic spirit that mimics the flavor of rum. If you can't find one, simply leave it out and add a splash of almond or oat milk to make the drink less bitter and more creamy. You can also add rum extract to have the flavor but no alcohol. Start small with max ¼ teaspoon and add more to taste.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. Into a cocktail shaker, add golden or dark rum, Kahlua, maple syrup, chocolate bitters, and a shot of freshly brewed espresso.
    Rum and a shot of espresso being added into a glass cocktail shaker.
    1. Add a handful of ice and shake the cocktail vigorously for about 10 seconds until extra frothy.
    2. Strain the drink into a martini glass or coupe glass and garnish with three coffee beans. Enjoy!
    Ice being added to a cocktail shaker and the cocktail being strained into a coupe glass.

    Serving and Storing

    This cocktail is best served and enjoyed right away. You can make the espresso ahead of time but the best foam is achieved with fresh espresso so I highly recommend making it right before mixing the cocktail.

    FAQs

    Is rum just as good as vodka in an espresso martini?

    It all depends on your preference. You can make the cocktail with the classic vodka but rum, tequila, or even gin all work if you prefer. Rum intensifies the flavor of this cocktail and makes it great for fall parties or the holidays.

    What can I use instead of coffee liqueur?

    You can add a splash of Bailey's if you have it on hand. It goes well with the flavors and it will make the cocktail creamy which is great if you're a fan of lattes, rather than black coffee.

    What's the best rum for this rumtini?

    You can use any golden or dark rum you have. If you have spiced rum, that's also a great option! Bacardi is the most common brand for both gold and dark rum. I like Appleton Estate's gold rum and Sailor Jerry's spiced rum.

    Espresso martini in a coupe glass with a layer of foam on top garnished with three coffee beans.

    Similar Recipes

    If you're looking to try even more variations of the classic espresso martini, check out the three below plus one extra coffee cocktail! There's one with Bailey's that makes the cocktail extra creamy, one with tequila, and one with homemade raspberry chocolate syrup which might just be my favorite cocktail of all time! To see all the latest ones, head over to Cocktails.

    • Creamy Espresso Martini
    • Tequila Espresso Martini
    • Raspberry Chocolate Espresso Martini
    • Chai White Russian (not an espresso martini but still a tasty coffee cocktail!)
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    📖 Recipe

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    Espresso martini in a coupe glass with a layer of foam on top garnished with three coffee beans.

    Rum Espresso Martini

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
    • Author: Veronika Sykorova
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 1 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: No Cook
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    This Rum Espresso Martini is a rum twist on the classic cocktail that's made with vodka. Rum goes really well with coffee and Kahlua and makes a great fall drink!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 ½ oz golden or dark rum
    • ½ oz Kahlua
    • ½ oz maple syrup
    • 1-2 dashes chocolate bitters (optional)
    • 1 shot espresso
    • Ice
    • 3 coffee beans for garnish (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Into a cocktail shaker, add rum, Kahlua, maple syrup, chocolate bitters, and a shot of freshly brewed espresso.
    2. Add a handful of ice and shake the cocktail vigorously for about 10 seconds until extra frothy.
    3. Strain into a martini or coupe glass and garnish with three coffee beans. Enjoy!

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    Did you make this recipe?

    Comment and rate the recipe below and tag @thehealthfulideas on Instagram with the hashtag #thehealthfulideas, I'd love to see what you made!

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    152 shares

    Comments

    1. Jess says

      November 16, 2023 at 9:10 pm

      I like this so much more than a regular espresso martini! Especially with the chocolate bitters!

      Reply

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    A photo of a young woman in a white and red striped shirt with a white backround.

    Welcome!

    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

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    A photo of a young woman in a white and red striped shirt with a white backround.

    Welcome!

    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

    More about me

    Latest Recipes

    • Jalapeno mayo in a jar with an embossed black and white label.
      Jalapeno Mayo
    • Caesar salad with spicy shrimp on a large oval serving platter with wooden serving spoons.
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    • Caesar dressing in a small jar with a black and white embossed label.
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