Red Velvet Espresso Martini

This decadent red velvet espresso martini tastes like cake with a kick. It’s crowned with a creamy cold foam that tastes like cream cheese frosting.

This red velvet espresso martini takes the classic, caffeinated cocktail to all-new levels of decadence and luxury. In this recipe, a traditional espresso martini base is infused with a touch of chocolate liqueur and red velvet extract, then is shaken with a few drops of red food dye and ice. Because you can’t have red velvet cake without a smear of cream cheese frosting, we layer cream cheese cold foam on top of the shaken cocktail. A few fine crumbs of red velvet cake make a gorgeous garnish.

While you can enjoy a red velvet espresso martini anytime, we think this red-hued delight would be perfect for a romantic Valentine’s Day date night at home, or for toasting at Galentines with your best friends.

Red Velvet Espresso Martini Ingredients

• Cake-flavored vodka: If you ever wondered what cocktail could be made with cake-flavored vodka, this is the one. Several major vodka brands offer cake (or birthday cake) as a flavor. If you can’t find one at your closest supermarket or liquor store, try checking online at a retailer like Total Wine (depending on your state).
• Brewed espresso: A shot of espresso adds depth to the cocktail’s coffee flavors.
• Coffee liqueur: Coffee liqueur is an essential ingredient in an espresso martini, and this espresso martini variation is no exception. Grab a bottle from the store or try making homemade Kahlua.
• Chocolate liqueur: Red velvet cake is made with a touch of cocoa, so add a small amount of chocolate liqueur to the dessert cocktail to replicate the cake’s subtle chocolate notes.
• Red velvet cake extract: This ingredient really ties all the ingredients together and makes the red velvet flavor sing. You can find red velvet extract at specialty grocers, in the baking aisle of most major craft stores, and at online retailers.
• Red food coloring: While the red velvet extract adds a slight red hue, you’ll likely need a few extra drops of red food dye to get a punchy red color. Start with two or three drops and add more as needed until your desired color is achieved.
• Ice: An espresso martini is best served chilled, so be sure to have ice on hand for shaking.
• Cream cheese cold foam: A fluffy cloud of creamy cold foam made with cheesecake extract, heavy cream, milk, vanilla extract and confectioners’ sugar offers a sweet, decadent finish to this romantic cocktail.
• Garnish: A few fine crumbs of red velvet cake (or even red velvet brownies) are the perfect finishing touch to the top of the cocktail.

Directions

Step 1: Make the cold foam

In a small glass Mason jar, whisk together the heavy cream, cheesecake extract and milk.

Stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract.

Use a milk frothing wand to beat the mixture until it has doubled in volume. Set it aside.

Editor’s Tip: No frother? No problem. If you don’t own a frothing wand, you can beat the cold foam with an electric hand mixer instead. Or, simply top your Mason jar with a lid and shake it vigorously for a minute or two until the cold foam has doubled in volume.

Step 2: Shake the cocktail

Fill a cocktail shaker three-fourths full with ice cubes. Add the vodka, espresso, liqueurs, red velvet extract and food coloring. Cover the shaker and shake it until condensation forms on the outside. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.

Step 3: Add the cold foam

Carefully spoon the cold foam onto the cocktail. Garnish it with a light dusting of crumbled red velvet cake, if desired. Serve it immediately.

Red Velvet Espresso Martini Variations

• Use other flavored vodkas: If you don’t have cake-flavored vodka, replace it with vanilla- or whipped cream–flavored vodka. You could also make it with plain vodka and add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• Make it with cold brew: If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can make this cocktail with an equal amount of cold brew concentrate instead of freshly brewed espresso.
• Replace the red velvet cake extract: If you don’t have red velvet cake extract or can’t find it easily at the store, substitute 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and an extra two to three drops of red food coloring.
• Swap the cheesecake extract for cream cheese: If you don’t have cheesecake extract on hand, you can still make a similar-tasting cold foam with cream cheese instead. Simply prepare the cream cheese cold foam from this carrot cake latte recipe.
• Dye the cold foam red: For an extra punch, you can color the cold foam red, too. Simply add a few drops of red food coloring to the cold foam before mixing it.

How to Store Red Velvet Espresso Martini

While we don’t recommend storing a red velvet espresso martini fully assembled, you can prep the components separately and refrigerate them in separate airtight containers until you’re ready to serve them. You may have to whip up the cold foam again before serving it.

How long does cold foam last?

The cheesecake cold foam may be stored in an airtight container for up to four days, though the cold foam may lose some of its volume the longer it sits. When you’re ready to use, froth it again with a milk frother. Or, beat it with an electric hand mixer to reinvigorate it.

Red Velvet Espresso Martini Tips

What’s the best vodka to use for an espresso martini?

The best vodkas for martinis are those with a smooth, clean taste, and the same goes for espresso martinis. Avoid low-quality spirits with a harsh flavor as they’ll overpower the cocktail’s subtle, sweet notes of coffee and chocolate. A few of our favorite brands include Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One, Pinnacle and Absolut.

How else can you garnish a red velvet espresso martini?

If you’d rather not have teeny-tiny cake crumbs in your martini, consider adding them to the rim of your glass instead, adhering them with a swipe of cream cheese frosting. You could also wedge a mini red velvet cupcake onto the rim for an over-the-top look. Rimming the glass with red sanding sugar will do the trick too.

Can you make a nonalcoholic red velvet espresso martini?

For a nonalcoholic version of this cocktail, omit the vodka and liqueurs. Instead, combine two ounces of whole milk and one ounce of chocolate sauce with the brewed espresso, red velvet extract and red food dye. Shake them with ice, then strain the cocktail into a glass. Top it with cold foam and enjoy.

Loading Popular in the Community