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Home » Drinks » Alcoholic Drinks

Espresso Coffee Martini – an Ancho Reyes Cocktail

November 13, 2020 by Jane Saunders 18 Comments

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espresso coffee martini with text overlay
Ancho Reyes cocktail with text overlay
Ancho Reyes cocktail with text overlay
espresso coffee martini with text overlay
espresso coffee martini with text overlay

This Ancho Reyes cocktail gives a punchy revamp to the classic espresso coffee martini recipe. It’s a triple whammy of flavour: coffee, almonds and spice.

A coffee martini Ancho Reyes Cocktail garnished with coffee beans

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BRANDS FEATURED IN THIS GUIDE. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.

Contents hide
1 Ingredients
2 How to make This Drink
3 Expert Tips
4 Frequently Asked Questions
5 Drinks Gifts for Christmas 2020
6 Espresso Coffee Martini – An Ancho Reyes Cocktail

Welcome to my Christmas Gift Guide Part 1, which is all about drinks.

Heading up the drinks section of this guide is this beautiful espresso coffee martini recipe. But this is no ordinary espresso martini. I discovered Ancho Reyes liqueur this summer, and have been desperate to create an Ancho Reyes cocktail (available from Amazon).

This is it. If you like, it’s a coffee martini livened up with the warming and sweet, yet spicy, flavour profile of Anchos Reyes chilli liqueur.

As usual, I’m going to talk about the ingredients and how to make this cocktail, then I’ll change tack and delve into my top picks of gifts on the drinks front for this festive season.

Ingredients

Labelled ingredients for a coffee martini Ancho Reyes Cocktail

Inspired by a coffee cocktail I once tried at Dishoom, I’ve compiled this Ancho Reyes cocktail with nothing but quality ingredients. The majority of which you will be familiar with already.

I’ve used both Amaretto and the rather unusual, but deeply delicious, Ancho Reyes liqueur to replace the coffee liqueur in my martini. Ancho Reyes is Mexican chilli liqueur available at well-stocked drink stores and amazon.

This combination is enough to sweeten the drink slightly and the undertones of the almonds and chilli spice are a winning partnership with the rich coffee and smooth vodka. It’s a knockout cocktail to get into.

How to make This Drink

Making this Ancho Reyes cocktail could not be easier:

Step 1: Brew your espresso coffee fresh, then pour it, along with the other ingredients, into a cocktail shaker loaded with plenty of ice

Step 2: Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds until the drink is ice cold and wonderfully frothy

Step by Step making an espresso coffee martini Ancho Reyes cocktail

Step 3: Strain the espresso coffee martini into a pretty cocktail glass and garnish with a few coffee beans

Expert Tips

This Ancho Reyes cocktail is very easy to make, so there are really only a few tips to give:

  • pop your serving glass into the freezer for 15 minutes just before serving. This will allow you to serve your coffee martini deliciously chilled
  • hot espresso has a better crema than cold and this crema blends into the drink to give better body to the cocktail. Use freshly brewed espresso if possible
  • use plenty of ice to help bring the temperature of the coffee down quickly

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use instant coffee?

Technically, yes, instant coffee can be used to make this cocktail. However, you are unlikely to get the delicious foamy top that is the signature garnish on this simple drink.

Can I leave out the chilli liqueur?

Ancho Reyes liqueur adds both spice and sweetness to this libation. If you don’t want to include it, use an equal measure of coffee liqueur in its place.

Can I batch make this drink in advance?

If you would like to make this drink in advance ready to shake up when required, do remember that the quality of the espresso crema will be inferior when left to cool and stand.
Though the made-in-advance drink will certainly still be delicious, the texture of the cocktail and the foam on top may not match up to a freshly made version.

An espresso coffee martini Ancho Reyes Cocktail

That’s the cocktail covered in detail, so let’s move on to some gift ideas.

Drinks Gifts for Christmas 2020

It’s no secret that I love my drinks. Whether that’s a cup of tea to keep me going as I take my kids to their various sports clubs, a sneaky cocktail on a Friday night or a chance to taste and compare spirits.

Well, this year I’ve discovered a few treats in the drinks department and I’m going to tell you all about them.

The Borders Distillery

First up is the selection of spirits available from The Borders Distillery – a relatively new distillery based in Hawick, Scotland. The team there produce some rather fine whisky, vodka and gin. All are available to purchase in their online store.

Collage of images displaying bottles of spirits

William Kerr’s Gin

Expect subtle aromas and complex flavours of juniper berries, herbs, roots, flowers and spices. It’s a smooth gin with great depth. Easy to fall for.

Puffing Billy Steam Vodka

I’ve used Puffing Billy in this Ancho Reyes cocktail to capitalise on the creamy finish that this barley-based vodka boasts. It’s a great balance to the intense coffee flavour and the spicy undertones of this drink.

Lower East Side Whisky

Lower East Side is a blended malt Scotch whisky that is matured in American Oak casks. It’s wonderful to sip on as a nightcap. Expect vanilla, almond, and honey notes, with just a hint of smoke.

Union Coffee

When it comes to making a coffee martini I always use freshly brewed espresso for an intense flavour and superior foamy top. I used Union’s signature espresso, Revelation, in my Ancho Reyes cocktail for its rich taste with pleasing notes of treacle, chocolate and sweet spice. Gorgeous!

Union Coffee are all about quality, ethically sourced coffee that is roasted to order.

They offer a CoffeeClub subscription service. With this, members can either select what they wish each time or allow the Union Coffee team to surprise them. A subscription is a great option for a unique Christmas gift that can continue to be enjoyed throughout the year.

Collage of images featuring espresso coffee and packs of coffee

Rum Advent Calender

After the fun of enjoying a bourbon advent calendar last year, I’m excited to be opening a rum calendar this year. The beauty of these single spirit advent calenders from Drinks by the Dram is that they include a wide range of carefully compiled drams in each one so you can taste the differences between each one – all rums are definitely not equal.

An alcoholic advent calendar

Last year we chose to enjoy the drams of bourbon 2 at a time. Each dram was split into 2 servings, so that we could sample several bourbons side by side and identify the differences. It was quite a delightful and eye-opening experience.

Drinks by the Dram have a great selection of advent calendars to choose from again this year. Offerings include whisky, bourbon, gin, vodka and rum. And for the whisky specialists, calendars include Japanese whisky, Scotch whisky, single cask whisky and an Old & Rare whisky calendar. Phwoar.

Barware from Cellardine

A selection of drinks, bottles and barware on a table

If wine is more your style that this Anchos Reyes cocktail, then Cellardine have some great gift options for your consideration.

I’ve found their ChillCore 3-in-1 highly useful to chill my white wine quickly as I’m prone to forgetting to put it in the fridge. Be sure to look at their other gift options too. One of my favourites is the Rouge 02, which aerates red wine as it is being poured from the bottle.

Reusable Portable Cups from Klean Kanteen

It’s fair to say that there have been massive innovations in the world of reusable drinks cups over the last decade. And it’s so good to see.

I’ve been very impressed with my TKWide mug from Klean Kanteen. This drinks mug is vacuum insulated, so my beverage can stay hot (or cold) for hours (big improvement). And I can seal the lid firmly, so I have no leaks to worry about when I’m on the go.

A collection of insulated drinks and food canisters

Kleen Kanteen offers an extensive range of durable drinks bottles and food canisters to make our lives stylishly easier and less reliant on single-use plastic. Hurrah!

If you still have an appetite for more shopping ideas take a look through the second part of my gift guide which focuses on food. You’ll also pick up the recipe for some lovely festive lemon cookies as you browse.

Have you made my espresso coffee martini? It’s a fantastic introduction to the sweet yet spicy profile available in Ancho Reyes cocktails and I hope you enjoyed it. I’d love it if you left a rating or comment to let me know how you got along.

Coffee martini Ancho Reye Cocktail - featured Image

Espresso Coffee Martini – An Ancho Reyes Cocktail

Jane Saunders
This espresso coffee martini is no ordinary affair. It’s a triple whammy of flavour: coffee, almonds and spice. Easy to make, it’s a fine Ancho Reyes cocktail to try out.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Alcoholic Drink
Cuisine: Worldwide
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 226kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 40 ml Espresso Freshly brewed using 15g/ ½oz ground espresso coffee
  • 40 ml Vodka Puffing Billy is excellent
  • 20 ml Amaretto liqueur
  • 15 ml Ancho Reyes liqueur
  • 3 Drops Chocolate bitters
  • 3 Coffee beans for garnish
Metric – US Customary

Instructions

  • Put a cocktail glass in the freezer to chill for 15 minutes
  • Pour the liquid cocktail ingredients into the base of a cocktail shaker and add plenty of ice (around 8 ice cubes)
  • Secure the lid and shake for 30-45 seconds until the drink is thoroughly chilled and the drink is frothy
  • Strain into the chilled cocktail glass, using a cocktail strainer if necessary, to ensure the ice does not fall into the glass
  • Garnish with coffee beans and serve immediately

Notes

  • pop your serving glass into the freezer for 15 minutes just before serving. This will allow you to serve your coffee martini deliciously chilled
  • use plenty of ice to help bring the temperature of the coffee down quickly
  • hot espresso has a better crema than cold and this crema blends into the drink to give better body to the cocktail. Use freshly brewed espresso if possible
  • although instant coffee can be used to make this cocktail you are unlikely to get the delicious foamy top that is the signature garnish on this simple drink. Freshly brewed espresso coffee is needed for this
  • if you would like to make this drink in advance ready to shake up when required, do remember that the quality of the espresso crema will be inferior when left to cool and stand. Though the made-in-advance drink will certainly still be delicious, the texture of the cocktail and the foam on top may not match up to a freshly made version

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)

Calories:226kcal | Carbohydrates:14g | Protein:1g | Fat:1g | Saturated Fat:1g | Sodium:8mg | Potassium:46mg | Sugar:13g
Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @littlesugarsnap or tag #littlesugarsnaps!
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  1. Sherry Schilb

    March 05, 2021 at 1:23 pm

    5 stars
    Made rounds and rounds of this last night. There is something unique about Jane’s version that keeps you coming back for another. Too many times espresso martinis are overly sweet, but not this one! It had a wonderful depth to it. I will be making this over and over!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      March 06, 2021 at 11:21 am

      Oh wow – thankyou Sherry! I very nearly made one myself last night, but ended up with the Aperol Sour I know you enjoyed recently too. I’ve got a couple more cocktails lined up for the not too distant future – hope you like those too.

      Reply
  2. Tamara Andersen

    December 12, 2020 at 11:27 pm

    5 stars
    I wish I’d had this gift guide a little sooner! I didn’t know about bourbon or rum advent calendars… Next year! I’m totally intrigues by the Ancho Reyes liqueur, as chiles are such a part of life on the Mexican border. I’m looking forward to trying it!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      December 13, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      You will absolutely love that liqueur – it’s great mixed in with other spirits too – for a quick drink 1/3 ancho with 2/3 bourbon over ice is great… or Amaretto. And they do a green chilli version that I’ve yet to try.

      Reply
  3. Gina

    November 19, 2020 at 1:13 pm

    5 stars
    Love the little splash of Amaretto in this martini – such a treat of a drink!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 19, 2020 at 6:38 pm

      Yeah, I didn’t want to be too predictable on a coffee cocktail 🙂 – I’m so happy it’s pleased you.

      Reply
  4. Danielle Wolter

    November 19, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds like such a delicious cocktail! It would be great served at a party or even more perfect for date night at home 🙂

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 19, 2020 at 6:39 pm

      Thanks Danielle – it’s a regular feature on my Friday evenings

      Reply
  5. Chris Collins

    November 19, 2020 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    I love Espresso martini so much! I never realised it was this easy to make! 🙂

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 19, 2020 at 6:39 pm

      Oh yes – that’s what makes it so good – ready in minutes.

      Reply
  6. Dannii

    November 19, 2020 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    This is one of my favourite cocktails. I really need to try to make it myself. beautiful photos too.

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 19, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      Thankyou Dannii – and I hope you do make it, you won’t regret it 🙂

      Reply
  7. Shashi at Savory Spin

    November 19, 2020 at 10:45 am

    Your photos are GORGEOUS! And – cannot wait to try out your version of this delicious drink!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 19, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks so much

      Reply
  8. Ashley

    November 15, 2020 at 9:55 pm

    5 stars
    These were great for date night at home. We loved them!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 16, 2020 at 9:50 am

      Brilliant- thanks for letting me know they hit the spot.

      Reply
  9. Jenn

    November 15, 2020 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at espresso! How absolutely divine!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      November 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      Thanks Jenn – enjoy 😉

      Reply

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