A cosy, creamy Martini Macchiato cocktail that blends classic espresso martini flavours with a splash of Irish cream liqueur for added richness. This festive yet simple cocktail is quick to make and perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you want a decadent coffee cocktail.
If you enjoy an espresso martini, you’ll love this creamy twist. In Italy, a macchiato is an espresso “stained” with a splash of milk, so turning that concept into a cocktail feels fun and fitting—enter the Martini Macchiato.
No syrups or complicated steps are needed. It’s served cold with a frothy top and is lovely to sip at Christmas, though it’s equally enjoyable year-round.
Ingredients – what you need
The photo below shows the ingredients and useful tips for the best results.
- Espresso – use good quality coffee (100% Arabica is ideal). Brew a strong espresso with a coffee machine, moka pot or French press; avoid a weak, watered-down coffee.
- Kahlúa – a coffee liqueur like Kahlúa works well and is easy to find.
- Vodka – a mid-range vodka (such as Absolut) is fine. No need for top-shelf, but avoid the very cheapest brands.
- Baileys – any Irish cream liqueur will add the creamy element.
Step by step photos and recipe instructions
Brew the coffee – make a strong espresso and fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add ingredients – pour the espresso, vodka, Kahlúa and Baileys into the shaker.
Shake and serve – shake vigorously to create a frothy top, then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with three coffee beans if desired.
Recipe tips and FAQs
- Use strong coffee – a robust espresso ensures the cocktail has good coffee flavour.
- Equal parts – this recipe uses equal parts of each liquid, making it easy to remember and scale.
- Make it sweeter – use vanilla vodka if you prefer a sweeter finish.
The foam forms by shaking the ingredients hard in a cocktail shaker; the more vigorously you shake, the frothier the top.
More delicious cocktails to try
Drinks
Espresso Martini
Drinks
Frangelico White Russian
Drinks
The Ultimate Chocolate Martini
Drinks
Limoncello Martini (Lemon Drop Martini)
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Step By Step Photos Above
Most of our recipes include step-by-step photos, helpful tips and sometimes video.
Martini Macchiato Cocktail
By Emily
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 1 part freshly brewed espresso (30ml / 1 fl oz)
- 1 part vodka (30ml / 1 fl oz)
- 1 part Kahlúa coffee liqueur (30ml / 1 fl oz)
- 1 part Baileys (Irish cream) (30ml / 1 fl oz)
- ice
- 3 coffee beans for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the espresso, then the vodka, Kahlúa and Baileys.
- Hold the lid tightly and shake vigorously — the harder you shake, the more foam you create.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with three coffee beans.
Notes
- Use strong coffee: brew a robust espresso for best flavour.
- Equal parts: the recipe is simple to scale using equal measures.
- Sweeten it up: vanilla vodka adds extra sweetness if desired.
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I generally use extra virgin olive oil unless noted otherwise.
- When using canned or jarred tomatoes, I recommend trusted brands for best flavour.
- Vegetable sizes are assumed medium unless stated.
- All recipes are tested using a fan (convection) oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.