Midnight Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 04/30/21
Midnight Martini

Kim Patrick P. Aguirre / Getty Images

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

This midnight martini is a simple recipe that creates a delicious coffee-flavored cocktail. Made with espresso vodka, it's easy to mix up and sure to keep the party going well past midnight.

The vodka is not the only coffee spirit, because you'll also need a coffee liqueur. Depending on the darkness of the two liquors, your cocktail should be dark as (you guessed it) midnight. Adding the cinnamon syrup, which is optional, gives the drink a little extra flavor and the cinnamon complements the coffee very nicely.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces espresso vodka

  • 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur

  • 1/4 ounce​ cinnamon syrup, optional

  • Lemon twist, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a mixing glass filled with ice, pour the espresso vodka, coffee liqueur, and cinnamon syrup (if using).

  3. Stir well.

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • A number of brands make espresso vodkas. A few worth trying are Crater Lake's Hazelnut Espresso, Three Olives Espresso, and Van Gogh's Espresso and Double Espresso.
  • You can also simply pour regular vodka and let the coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa, Tia Maria, Patrón Cafe) do the flavoring work.
  • Cinnamon syrup is easy to make yourself, though it's also available at stores. It's a great addition for both the bar and kitchen because it can be used to enhance many different recipes, even if that's just your morning cup of coffee. If you prefer, use another flavored syrup to customize the martini to your own taste.
  • An optional garnish that is fitting for this cocktail is three coffee beans. It's used in Italy when serving coffee sambuca. The beans symbolize health, happiness, and prosperity, so it's a nice gesture to bring into other celebratory drinks. 

Recipe Variations

  • The midnight martini is also often served as a shooter—just shake, strain into a shot glasses and drink.
  • A number of recipes take on the name of midnight martini, and they're quite diverse. One, for instance, is nothing more than a gin martini garnished with a black olive. Another uses black vodka (e.g., Blavod) in that martini. Others are more like the black martini, featuring black raspberry or blackberry liqueur with citrus juice to get a dark color.

How Strong Is a Midnight Martini?

Adding the cinnamon syrup helps bring the midnight martini's strength down just a little bit. However you decide to make it, this cocktail packs a hefty alcohol punch that rivals its caffeine. It should mix up to 22 percent ABV (44 proof), a good reason for serving it just under 3 ounces. Think of it more like a double shot of espresso and enjoy it slowly.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
157 Calories
0g Fat
7g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 157
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 8mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 8mg 39%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 66mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)