North Italia Espresso Martini Recipe
- Prep 5 min
- Total 5 min
- Makes 1 cocktail
- Level Easy
For adults 21 and over. This drink contains alcohol and caffeine. Please drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
About the North Italia Espresso Martini
North Italia is a popular Italian-American restaurant group known for fresh pasta, pizza, and a lively bar. Its espresso martini is the kind of drink people order at the end of a meal: cold, foamy, and bold enough to work as both dessert and a pick-me-up. Because the restaurant keeps its exact recipe to itself, this page is a home version built from the classic espresso martini formula, using the same simple ingredients you would expect to find behind the bar.
The espresso martini itself dates back to 1980s London, where bartender Dick Bradsell is widely credited with creating it. Despite the name, it contains no gin or vermouth. It is simply vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso, shaken until the coffee’s natural oils whip into a creamy foam that sits on top like a crema.
The trick is not in the ingredients but in the technique: fresh espresso, plenty of ice, and a hard, fast shake. Get those right and you can match the silky, restaurant-style texture at home. Browse more drinks and dishes in our recipe collection, or if you like to start the day with coffee, take a look at our breakfast recipes.
Watch How It’s Made
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North Italia Espresso Martini Recipe
Ingredients
Kitchen & Bar Tools Needed
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Martini or coupe glass
- Espresso machine or Moka pot
- Bar spoon
See our kitchen guides for help choosing basic tools and equipment.
Instructions
- Chill the glass. Put a martini or coupe glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice water, while you make the drink.
- Brew the espresso. Make 1 fresh shot of espresso and let it sit for a minute or two.
- Add ice, vodka and liqueur. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Measure in the vodka first, then the coffee liqueur.
- Add the espresso. Pour the warm espresso into the shaker, along with the optional pinch of salt. The temperature contrast helps build the foam.
- Shake hard. Seal the shaker tightly and shake very hard for about 15 seconds, harder than you think you need to, until the shaker is frosty.
- Double strain. Empty the glass if you used ice water. Pour the drink through a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass, and let the foam settle for a few seconds.
- Garnish and serve. Float 3 coffee beans on the foam in a small triangle and serve immediately, while ice cold.
Making More Than One
| Cocktails | Vodka | Coffee liqueur | Espresso |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1½ oz | 1 oz | 1 shot |
| 2 | 3 oz | 2 oz | 2 shots |
| 4 | 6 oz | 4 oz | 4 shots |
Shake one or two drinks at a time for the best foam.
Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 190 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 11 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Sugar | 11 g |
Nutrition values are estimates, mostly from the vodka and the coffee liqueur, and are not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
Drink Facts & Enjoying It Responsibly
Alcohol Content
With 1½ oz vodka plus coffee liqueur, this has a little more alcohol than one standard drink. The coffee flavor can hide the alcohol, so sip slowly.
Caffeine
A single espresso shot has roughly 60 mg of caffeine. That is not much, but it can still keep sensitive people awake, so consider skipping it late at night.
Sugar
Most of the sugar comes from the coffee liqueur. Use less liqueur, or a lower-sugar brand, if you want a drier drink.
For Beginners
Start with 1 oz of vodka instead of 1½ oz to ease in. The drink will still taste rich and smooth.
What to Avoid
Preparation Mistakes
- Don’t use stale or instant coffee. Freshly brewed espresso gives both the flavor and the foam.
- Don’t under-shake. Shake hard for a full 15 seconds, or the foam will be thin.
- Don’t skip the fine strainer. Double straining removes ice chips for a silky texture.
- Don’t use crushed ice. It melts fast and waters the drink down.
Serving & Storage Mistakes
- Don’t pour it into a warm glass. Chill the glass first so the drink stays cold.
- Don’t let it sit. The foam fades within minutes, so serve right after straining.
- Don’t try to store a finished drink. Prep the ingredients ahead instead and shake to order.
Dietary Considerations
- Contains Alcohol
- Contains Caffeine
- No Dairy in Standard Recipe
- Check Labels for Gluten
Pro Tips for the Best Espresso Martini
- Use real espresso. A Moka pot or very strong cold brew concentrate also works if you do not have a machine.
- Shake hard and fast. The vigorous shake whips the espresso’s oils into foam.
- Chill everything. A cold glass keeps the drink and the foam colder for longer.
- Add a tiny pinch of salt. It brings out the coffee flavor without making the drink taste salty.
- Measure carefully. Use a jigger. Too much vodka makes it harsh, too much liqueur makes it sweet.
- Garnish last. Place the three beans gently on the foam so they float.
For more general techniques, browse our cooking tips.
What to Serve With an Espresso Martini
Sweet
- Chocolate cake
- Cheesecake
- Tiramisu
Savory
- Nuts
- Cheese boards
- Salty snacks
When to Serve
- After dinner
- Date night
- Dinner parties
- Holiday gatherings
At the restaurant, this drink often follows a pasta meal. Try it after our North Italia-style Spicy Rigatoni Vodka.
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
| Ingredient | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vodka | Vanilla vodka | Adds a soft vanilla note. Gin works too but changes the taste. |
| Coffee liqueur | Tia Maria or Mr Black | Tia Maria is sweeter. Mr Black is drier and more coffee-forward. |
| Fresh espresso | Moka pot coffee or strong cold brew | Make it strong and chill it first if using cold brew. |
| Coffee liqueur (homemade) | Simple syrup + strong cold coffee + vanilla | Less alcohol and fully adjustable sweetness. |
| Add a twist | ½ oz Baileys, or a splash of vanilla or caramel syrup | Makes it creamier or more dessert-like. |
Prep Ahead & Storage
Finished Drink
Not meant to be stored. The foam disappears quickly and melting ice waters it down. Serve right away.
Prep Ahead
Mix the vodka and coffee liqueur in a sealed bottle and keep it in the fridge. When it is time, add espresso and ice to the shaker and shake.
Leftover Espresso
Brew it fresh each time. Old espresso loses flavor and will not give you good foam.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. North Italia does not publish its exact recipe, so this is a copycat version made from the classic espresso martini formula: vodka, coffee liqueur, and fresh espresso. Your drink may taste slightly different from the restaurant’s.
Yes. Use a Moka pot, or strong brewed coffee or cold brew concentrate. Make it as strong as you can and chill it before shaking. You will still get good flavor, though the foam may be a little lighter than with real espresso.
Foam comes from fresh espresso and a hard shake. Use freshly brewed espresso rather than instant coffee, fill the shaker about halfway with solid ice cubes, seal it tightly, and shake very hard for a full 15 seconds.
You can mix the vodka and coffee liqueur ahead of time and keep it in a sealed bottle in the fridge. Add fresh espresso and ice and shake only when you are ready to serve, since shaking is what creates the foam.
It has a little more alcohol than one standard drink, from 1½ oz of vodka plus the coffee liqueur. The coffee flavor can mask the alcohol, so it may seem milder than it is. For a lighter drink, start with 1 oz of vodka.
Yes. Shake 1 to 2 shots of fresh espresso with ice and a splash of simple syrup or vanilla syrup, then strain into a chilled glass. It will not taste exactly the same, but it still gets a foamy top and a rich coffee flavor.
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Shake it hard, serve it cold, and enjoy responsibly.
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