Espresso Martini Mocktail

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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

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