Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini Cocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini sits in the modern Espresso Martini family: a vodka-and-coffee style that feels contemporary, dessert-leaning, and built for after-dark sipping. Rather than leaning on a long, fixed backstory, this variation is all about a familiar template—vodka, coffee, and liqueurs—nudged into a chocolate-and-citrus direction that reads instantly indulgent and a little more playful than the straight-up original.
You’ll find orange vodka sets a bright, zesty tone that lifts the deeper notes in the glass. Crème de cacao brings smooth chocolate sweetness, which meshes with the roasted, slightly bitter edge of coffee and the richer sweetness of coffee liqueur. Together, the coffee and coffee liqueur reinforce each other—one giving direct espresso-like intensity, the other adding a rounded, liqueur depth—while the orange element keeps the whole profile from feeling heavy.
Serve it in a coupe when you want something that drinks like a grown-up dessert without becoming cloying. It suits espresso-martini fans who also love chocolate-forward cocktails, and it’s a natural pick for dinner parties, date nights, or any moment when you want a sleek, coffee-led finish to the evening.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Coupe glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Orange vodka leads with bright citrus over a deep coffee core, while coffee liqueur thickens the roast and crème de cacao adds a smooth chocolate layer that reads like mocha-orange; the fresh coffee sharpens everything and keeps it from tasting syrupy. It works because the orange lift and coffee bitterness balance the chocolate sweetness, ideal for dessert-drink fans and anyone who likes their espresso martini richer and more aromatic.
Method
How to make a Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini
- Orange vodka 45 ml (Ketel One Oranje (if available)), Creme de cacao 15 ml, Coffee liqueur 15 ml, Coffee 30 ml
-
- Select and pre-chill a coupe glass
-
- Shake all ingredients with ice
-
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
Power tips
Elevate the Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use freshly brewed espresso shot to ensure vibrant, bold coffee flavors that complement the chocolate and orange notes. Avoid pre-brewed or instant coffee for best results.
- Add a small pinch of high-quality sea salt to the shaker. This will enhance the chocolate and orange flavors by balancing the sweetness and bitterness, adding depth to the overall taste profile.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What makes the Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini different from a regular Espresso Martini?
The Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini is a flavorful twist on the classic Espresso Martini. The primary difference lies in the additional ingredients used. This version incorporates orange vodka and creme de cacao, which infuse the cocktail with citrusy and chocolatey notes that complement the coffee flavors. Traditional Espresso Martinis usually include vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso only. By using orange-flavored vodka, it brings a refreshing and fruity dimension to the drink, while the creme de cacao adds a rich chocolate taste, creating a well-rounded cocktail with sophisticated layers of flavor.
What is the best way to shake a Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini?
To achieve the perfect Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini, shaking it right is crucial. Start by combining the orange vodka, creme de cacao, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed coffee in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Cover the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This not only ensures that the ingredients are well-mixed but also chills the cocktail effectively and creates a frothy finish, especially if you're using freshly brewed, hot espresso. The vigorous shaking allows air into the mix, creating a light and smooth texture, which is essential for an enjoyable drinking experience. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass to maintain its cold temperature and velvety texture.
What occasions are best suited for serving a Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini?
The Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini is versatile and can be served at a range of occasions, thanks to its rich and indulgent flavor profile. It's perfect for a classy evening gathering or winter holiday events where the flavors of chocolate and orange shine. This cocktail works well as an after-dinner drink due to its coffee content, making it a great alternative to dessert. Its elegant presentation in a coupe glass also makes it a suitable choice for cocktail parties or as a sophisticated option at a brunch. The combination of coffee and alcohol offers both a pick-me-up and a delightful, indulgent treat, ideal for celebrations.
How does the alcohol content of a Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini compare to other cocktails?
The Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini has an alcohol content of approximately 18.37%, positioning it within the moderate range for cocktails. This is slightly higher than lighter cocktails like a Mimosa or Spritz, which often fall around 10-15%. However, it's comparable to other martini variations such as the classic Espresso Martini. The blend of vodka and liqueurs in this cocktail provides both a strong boozy kick and a smooth, harmonious flavor, which is balanced by the non-alcoholic components, like freshly brewed coffee. It’s robust enough to deliver a satisfying punch, appropriate for those seeking a mature cocktail experience.
What foods pair well with a Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini?
A Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini can be beautifully complemented by a variety of foods, thanks to its rich and diverse flavor profile. Desserts are a natural pairing, especially those with chocolate or citrus components, such as chocolate oranges, tiramisu, or a classic chocolate lava cake. For those who might prefer a savory option, cheese boards including blue cheese or aged cheddars can enhance the drink's creamy, fruity notes. Additionally, spicy dishes can balance the sweetness and add a contrast that's delightful to the palate. Overall, it's an excellent cocktail to accompany dessert courses or to be enjoyed with a variety of hors d'oeuvres at a cocktail party.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Dive into this potent mix of spirits
Aunt Roberta
Brandy, Vodka, Absinthe, Gin, Blackberry liqueur
Explore this savory olive and vodka classic.
Dirty Martini
Vodka, White vermouth, Olive juice
Sample this perfectly balanced espresso cocktail.
Espresso Martini (Stefano D’Orsogna Variation)
Vodka, Coffee liqueur, Azúcar / jarabe simple, Coffee
Dive into this playful citrus and melon mix
Ghostbuster
Vodka, Melon liqueur, Pineapple juice, Orange juice
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we'll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we'll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments