5 Espresso Martini Riff Recipes to Shake Up for National Espresso Martini Day

March 15 is National Espresso Martini Day — and if you’re still making the same old recipe with plain vodka and a shot of espresso, it’s time to branch out. The classic is iconic, but the riff is where things get interesting. From tequila to rum to citrus-spiked vodka, the Espresso Martini has become one of the most versatile canvases in the cocktail world. Here are five creative spins worth mixing this weekend.

1. The Broken Brew — A Creamier, Café-Style Alternative

From: Broken Shed Vodka

(Photo: Broken Shed Vodka)

Forget the espresso shot. The Broken Brew swaps it for nitro cold brew — and that substitution changes everything. Nitrogen-infused cold brew brings a silky foam that gives this cocktail an almost stout-like texture before you’ve even taken a sip. Add in vanilla liqueur, oat milk and a touch of brown sugar syrup, and you’ve got something that feels more like a next-level café creation than a traditional cocktail.

Get the Full Broken Brew Recipe

2. Café Ozama — The Rum Lover’s Espresso Martinin

From: Ozama Rum

(Photo: Ozama Rum)

Coffee and rum are one of the great underrated pairings in cocktails. The Café Ozama leans into that relationship with Ozama Añejo, a Dominican rum from the brand launched by MLB legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz. Aged in oak with reported notes of coconut and vanilla, the rum brings warmth and sweetness that espresso loves to work with.

It’s a three-ingredient build — rum, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso. That simplicity is the point: when the ingredients are this complementary, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. Garnished with espresso beans and served in a martini glass, it’s a sleek, sophisticated pour with real depth.

Get the Full Café Ozama Recipe

3. Zizou Berg’s Espresso Martini — Tequila Steps Into the Spotlight

From: LALO Tequila

(Photo: LALO Tequila)

Swapping vodka for tequila in an Espresso Martini sounds bold — but once you taste it, it makes complete sense. Belgian tennis player Zizou Berg’s version uses LALO Blanco Tequila, a minimalist expression made with just agave, champagne yeast and deep well water. No barrel aging means the bright, citrusy agave character stays front and center, cutting through the richness of espresso and coffee liqueur with a clean, peppery finish.

Shaken vigorously, strained into a chilled coupe and crowned with that signature crema foam and three espresso beans, this cocktail looks every bit like a classic Espresso Martini — but one sip tells you it’s playing a different game entirely.

Get the Full Recipe for Zizou Berg’s Espresso Martini

4. CÎROC Limon ‘Spro Martini — Citrus Meets Coffee

From: CÎROC

(Photo: Ciroc)

Citrus and coffee sounds like it shouldn’t work — and yet, here we are. The CÎROC Limon ‘Spro Martini uses CÎROC Limonata to introduce a sharp, bright lemon note into the classic espresso martini structure. Cold brew (rather than hot espresso) keeps the coffee flavor smooth and less acidic, letting the citrus breathe and stay prominent against the roasted backdrop of coffee liqueur.

The result is lighter and more aromatic than a traditional build — the kind of cocktail that surprises you with how well it holds together. If you’ve been hesitant about lemon and coffee, this is the recipe that’ll convert you.

Get the Full CÎROC Limon ‘Spro Martini Recipe

5. Caramel Cookie Espresso Martini — A Scrumptious Dessert Cocktail

From: Licor 43

(Photo: Licor 43)

Not all dessert cocktails are created equal. The Caramel Cookie Espresso Martini is built around Licor 43 Caramel Cookie, a brand-new expression released in the U.S. in early 2026. It layers notes of caramelized biscuit, cinnamon, vanilla and toasted cookie butter over the brand’s classic citrus-vanilla base — and when you shake it with fresh espresso, you get a delicious bitter-sweet interplay.

This is the perfect Espresso Martini riff for dessert.

Get the Full Caramel Cookie Espresso Martini Recipe

Whether you go creamy and café-style, spirit-forward and minimalist or full dessert-mode, there’s a riff here for every espresso martini fan. The classic will always have its place, but National Espresso Martini Day is the perfect excuse to explore what happens when you mess with the formula.