Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

Sweet meets salty meets coffee—in cocktail form.

Say hello to your new favorite espresso martini. This version takes the classic and gives it a cozy, dessert-worthy twist with buttery caramel from Caramel Kitchen and rich, medium-dark roast espresso from Press House Coffee. (Both featured products in February's Gourmet Coffee Box). It all comes together in a perfectly balanced cocktail that's a crowd pleaser for a reason.

It’s ideal for a girl’s night in, a Valentine’s Day dinner party, or a cozy nightcap when you want something that feels a little special. It’s easy to make and even easier to drink… so consider yourself warned.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker (or a jar with a tight-fitting lid)
  • Sieve or cocktail strainer
  • Shot glass or jigger, for measuring

Ingredients

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or similar)
  • 1 oz freshly brewed Press House Green Dragon Espresso
    (Shaking while the espresso is still warm helps create better foam)
  • 0.5–0.75 oz caramel from Caramel Kitchen, to taste
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt
  • Ice

Optional garnishes:

  • Espresso beans
  • Extra flaky sea salt

To Make

  1. Fill a martini glass with ice or place it in the freezer to chill.
  2. Brew the espresso directly over the caramel and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Stir or swirl until fully combined.
  3. Add the salted caramel espresso mixture to your cocktail shaker, followed by the vodka and coffee liqueur.
  4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds, until well chilled and frothy.
  5. Strain into your chilled martini glass. Garnish with espresso beans and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if desired.

Foodie Box Love Notes & Tips

Batch it for a crowd:
This cocktail is perfect for batching. Dissolve the caramel and salt into hot espresso first, then cool completely before mixing with the vodka and coffee liqueur. Store in a pitcher or glass bottle and chill for at least 1 hour.

Batch recipe (8 servings):

  • 2 cups vodka
  • 1 cup coffee liqueur
  • 1 cup freshly brewed espresso, cooled
  • ½–¾ cup caramel (start with ½ cup and adjust to taste)
  • Pinch of salt (about ½ tsp total)

Shake individual servings with ice before pouring for the best foam.

Extra credit:

  • Rim your glasses with caramel and flaky sea salt for an extra salty-sweet kick.
  • Experiment with flavored caramels—our Chocolate Caramel from the Sweet & Salty Box is decadent and dessert-forward, while the Bourbon Caramel from a past box adds a warm, cozy depth that pairs beautifully with espresso.
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