20 best Espresso coffee cocktails

Every decent restaurant and bar boasts an espresso machine so it's inevitable that freshly made espresso coffee found its way into cocktails. However, it took the creative genius behind the Espresso Martini to make espresso coffee cocktails ubiquitous.

Affogato Cocktail
With: Grappa, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, espresso coffee, vanilla ice-cream.
We say: Based on the classic Italian dessert, this after-dinner cocktail blends coffee and chocolate with ice-cream.

Black Diamond
With: Light white rum, dark crème de cacao and espresso coffee.
We say: This flavoursome blend of coffee and chocolate is further enhanced if vanilla-infused rum is used.

Bonaparte cocktail
With: Soda water, espresso coffee, and mandarine liqueur.
We say: Zesty mandarin orange and espresso coffee served as a tall refreshing cocktail.

Espress Ya'self
With: Tequila blanco, coffee liqueur, mezcal, espresso coffee, agave syrup, vanilla extract, xocolatl mole bitters, and chili tincture.
We say: Boozed-up and spiced, a coffee espresso has never been so expressive.

Espresso Daiquiri
With: Light white rum, espresso coffee, sugar syrup, and saline solution.
We say: A simple rum-based twist on the Espresso Martini.

Espresso Martiki
With: Pineapple rum, coffee liqueur, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice, espresso coffee.
We say: Pineapple, almond and coffee combine in this Espresso Martini riff.

Espresso Martini
With: Vodka, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and saline solution.
We say: Forget 'Vodka Red Bull', this is the cocktail connoisseur's way of combining caffeine and vodka.

Espresso Martini (simple 3 equal parts recipe)
With: Vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso coffee.
We say: Balanced, tasty and enlivening, and easy to make.

Espresso Rumtini
With: White rum, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and saline solution.
We say: Great with well aged rums but perhaps better the cleaner bite of a younger rum.

Flying Frenchman (Absinthe Espresso Martini)
With: Absinthe, coffee liqueur, and espresso coffee.
We say: Absinthe charged, caffeine-loaded and tasty.

Grappa Espresso Martini
With: Grappa, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, dark sugar syrup, and saline solution.
We say: Grappa is made to go with espresso coffee so befits an Espresso Martini.

Irish Espresso'tini
With: Irish cream liqueur, vanilla-flavoured vodka, and espresso coffee.
We say: Richly flavoured with a pleasantly bitter finish.

Italian Chocolate Martini
With: Espresso coffee, amaro, and coffee liqueur.
We say: Chocolaty without really featuring the headline chocolate in the recipe.

Jalisco Espresso
With: Reposado tequila, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and saline solution.
We say: A tequila-laced wake-up call.

Lazarus
With: Vodka, cognac, coffee liqueur, and espresso coffee.
We say: A splash of brandy adds extra interest to this Espresso Martini.

Lotus Espresso
With: Vodka, coffee liqueur, maple syrup, and espresso coffee.
We say: Coffee to the fore but with complex, earthy bittersweet notes.

Mocha Martini
With: Bourbon whiskey, espresso coffee, Irish cream liqueur, dark crème de cacao, and cream.
We say: Made with great espresso, this drink is a superb, richly flavoured balance of sweet and bitter.

Spanish Espresso Martini
With: Vodka, spiced vanilla liqueur, and espresso coffee.
We say: This Espresso Martini riff introduces rich vanilla and faint and delicate herbal notes.

Vanilla Espresso Martini
With: Vanilla flavoured vodka, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, vanilla sugar syrup, and saline solution.
We say: If you're the kind to opt for a splash of flavoured syrup at the coffee shop, then this Espresso Martini is for you.

Vodka Espresso
With: Vodka, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and sugar syrup.
We say: Dick Bradsell's original "Espresso Martini.