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This creamy espresso martini mocktail is the best virgin, non alcoholic coffee mocktail. Made with espresso, homemade vanilla simple syrup and cream. This recipe tastes just as good as a real espresso martini!
Making mocktails that taste just as good as real cocktails is not hard.
For other mocktail recipes, try this guava mocktail, this cranberry mocktail or this non alcoholic strawberry mojito.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This creamy virgin espresso martini tastes just as good as a real espresso martini!
- This mocktail is easy to make for a large group of guests.
- This is the perfect mocktail for the winter holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Espresso: Use high quality, freshly brewed espresso for this martini. In this mocktail espresso martini, all the espresso flavor comes from the actual espresso (rather than coffee liqueur), so high quality espresso makes a difference. If you have to use instant espresso, make sure to use a high quality one.
- Cream: Heavy cream sweetens the espresso and adds a creamy, frothy texture to this martini. As a substitute, or for a vegan version, you can use coconut milk instead.
- Vanilla Simple Syrup: The homemade vanilla syrup is made from vanilla bean, water and granulated sugar. You can use a store bought vanilla syrup instead, although it won’t taste as authentic. Alternatively, use regular, plain simple syrup.
Equipment
You will need the following equipment to make this non alcoholic espresso martini:
- A cocktail shaker to make the mocktail in.
- Martini glasses to serve the mocktail espresso martinis in.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat the water, sugar, and split vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved.
Step 2: Remove the vanilla syrup from the stove and strain out the vanilla bean.
Step 3: Line the rim of a martini glass with simple syrup and dip it in a small amount of cocoa powder to rim the edge.
Step 4: Add the espresso, cream, vanilla simple syrup and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well until the outside is frosted. Strain and serve into a martini glass.
Variations
Just like with real espresso martinis, it is easy to make flavored variations of this mocktail. Here are some ideas:
- Chocolate Espresso Martini Mocktail: Instead of the vanilla simple syrup, use this chocolate simple syrup instead.
- Peppermint Espresso Martini Mocktail: Replace the vanilla simple syrup with this peppermint syrup.
- Coconut Espresso Martini Mocktail: Replace the cream with coconut milk.
Expert Tips
- Shake the cocktail well. In order to get the extra frothy top that is classic in an espresso martini, shake the cocktail really well. Shake for at least 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is fully frosted.
- Add whipped cream & coffee beans. As optional garnishes, add a dollop of whipped cream (try this brown sugar whipped cream), a sprinkle of cocoa powder, and a few whole coffee beans.
- Serve this mocktail with alcoholic espresso martinis. If you are serving this drink at a party and some guests will want an alcoholic version, try serving it alongside this pumpkin espresso martini, this peppermint espresso martini, this baileys espresso martini or this gin espresso martini.
- Store leftover vanilla syrup. This recipe will make extra vanilla syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can use leftovers in coffee recipes, such as this vanilla oat milk latte.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. To save time, you can use a store bought vanilla simple syrup rather than making your own, but it may have a slightly artificial flavor.
Yes. If you want to add in alcohol, add 1 oz vodka and 1 oz Kahlua.
Yes. If you still want to make a mocktail, but want to use non alcoholic liqueur, add in 1 oz non alcoholic vodka and non alcoholic coffee liqueur.
📖 Recipe
Espresso Martini Mocktail
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 mocktail 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This creamy espresso martini mocktail is the best virgin, non alcoholic coffee mocktail. Made with espresso, homemade vanilla simple syrup and cream. This recipe tastes just as good as a real espresso martini!
Ingredients
- Vanilla Simple Syrup:
- ½ vanilla bean
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sugar
- Espresso Martini Mocktail:
- 3 oz espresso, freshly brewed
- 2 oz heavy cream
- 1 oz vanilla simple syrup
- cocoa powder for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the vanilla simple syrup. Heat the vanilla bean, water, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove the vanilla bean and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Rim the cocktail glass (optional). Dip the martini glass rim in simple syrup and then roll it in cocoa powder.
- Make the espresso martini mocktail. Add the espresso, cream and vanilla syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until the shaker is frosted. Strain into a martini glass and serve.
Notes
- This recipe makes extra vanilla syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Mocktails
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mocktail
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 20.7g
- Sodium: 28mg
- Fat: 22.2g
- Saturated Fat: 14.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.4g
- Trans Fat: 0.7g
- Carbohydrates: 22.1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1.8g
- Cholesterol: 67mg
Sara Welch
This was just what I needed to wind down after a long day! Easy, rich and refreshing; definitely, a favorite mocktail!
Holly
This drink was creamy and decadent! I did add the alcohol to mine though! 🙂
Nikki
Tastes decadent but so simple to make! Thanks for sharing!
Seema Sriram
I adore this mocktail expresso martini. Since i am the only non alcohol consumer in the house , I no longer need to feel left out!