Irish Cream Liqueur Espresso Martini Cocktail

Last Updated on March 2, 2024

Sipping Irish Joy with a decadent Cream Espresso Martini 

As the festive season draws in, I always like to find the perfect Christmas cocktail, a decadent concoction that captures the essence of this special season. This year I’m making an Irish Cream Liqueur Espresso Martini. This delectable holiday treat seamlessly combines the richness of Irish cream with the robust flavours of espresso and vodka, resulting in a cocktail that is nothing short of a Christmas miracle in a glass. 

I do love a classic Espresso Martini, a cocktail that intertwines the worlds of coffee and alcohol, resulting in a delightful fusion of flavours. The drink’s origins trace back to the late 20th century in London, England. It is widely believed that the Espresso Martini was first concocted by the renowned bartender Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s. Legend has it that a supermodel, allegedly Naomi Campbell, approached Bradsell at the bar, requesting a cocktail that would both wake her up and get her tipsy. This request sparked the creation of what would become the Espresso Martini.

Bradsell combined fresh espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, and a hint of sugar syrup in a shaker with ice, resulting in a cocktail that not only satisfied the supermodel’s desires but also quickly gained popularity among cocktail enthusiasts worldwide. The Espresso Martini perfectly balances the rich, bitter notes of coffee with the smoothness of vodka and the sweetness of coffee liqueur, creating a sophisticated and indulgent drink.  But what if you want something a little softer and easier to drink?

For my recipe, I’m using an exceptionally delicious Connemara Irish Cream liqueur from the Micil Distillery, honoured as the Best Irish Cream at the 2022 World Liqueur Awards. It’s a wonderfully lavish fusion of sweet Irish whiskey, indulgent Irish cream, and velvety Connemara poitín. It’s fabulous on its own but also ideal for my festive cocktail.

The Micil Distillery is named in honour of their great-great-great grandfather, Micil Mac Chearra, who commenced the art of poitín distillation in 1848 on a Connemara hillside. For over 170 years and across six generations, their family has faithfully preserved this artisanal craft, distilling remarkable spirits using ancestral recipes, their wealth of craft knowledge, and time-honoured techniques. It is a wonderful fusion of sweet Irish whiskey, indulgent Irish cream, and velvety Connemara poitín sourced from Micil Distillery. This exceptional blend was honoured as the Best Irish Cream at the 2022 World Liqueur Awards.

Micil Distillery’s Irish Cream represents a longstanding Connemara tradition. In the West of Ireland, a local twist on the classic Irish cream involves combining cream, honey, and a touch of poitín, using the region’s finest resources. Micil Irish Cream, paying homage to this heritage, incorporates the finest Connemara poitín and meticulously selected high-quality ingredients, all locally sourced when possible. The production remains true to their grandmother’s original family recipe.

A generous pour of this smooth and creamy nectar with its velvety texture and deliciously comforting, caramel-tinged sweetness creates a delightful base for my Espresso Martini. It complements the bitter intensity of espresso, and the kick of the vodka, infusing the cocktail with the boldness and depth needed to keep the winter chill at bay.

The Irish Cream Liqueur Espresso Martini is the perfect embodiment of holiday indulgence and the ideal companion for a cosy evening by the fireside or an after-dinner treat

Buy your Micil Irish Cream from their online shop and make sure you don’t miss out this Christmas

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Irish Cream Liqueur Espresso Martini

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

 

Servings: 1

Calories: 210 kcal

Author: Lucy Foxell

Ingredients

• 50 ml Connemara Irish Cream Liqueur
• 25 ml Vodka Use your favourite brand of vodka – it doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive!
• 50 ml Espresso Freshly made if possible
• 6- 8 Ice cubes
• Agave syrup If you like it a bit sweeter
• 3 Coffee beans to garnish

Instructions

1. Add ice cubes to the cocktail shaker.

2. Pour in the fresh coffee, Irish cream liqueur and vodka. If you like your cocktails on the sweeter side, add 1 tsp agave syrup.  

3. Put the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds.

4. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans

Nutrition Facts

Irish Cream Liqueur Espresso Martini

Amount Per Serving

Calories 210

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.