Guys. These are dangerously good.
Also, this Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini recipe is going to make you very popular this holiday season. If you thought guests were tough to get rid of before you are in for a big surprise. You’ve been warned.
Rich, dark espresso is mixed up with smooth vanilla vodka, almond-scented amaretto & sweetened condensed milk and poured into a bejeweled martini glass. It’s super dreamy.
This is the perfect sipper for decorating, present wrapping, shopping… well maybe not shopping because you’re driving… but online shopping is totally a martini friendly activity. Just one though… so you remember that you are shopping for other people. ‘Tis the season for giving to others, not for buying yourself little treats because the pre-Christmas sales are just so good not that I know anything about that.
I am so here for the holiday cocktails this year and this one is going to be making a yearly appearance from here on in I just know it. Espresso martinis are having a moment, but you’ve never had one like this. I hope you love it!
Scroll past the recipe if you’re looking for tips, substitutions, questions, etc. and details on how to make this recipe, but if you want to get straight to it, here’s my recipe-ish…
Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini
Ingredients
For the glass:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tsp milk
- Sprinkles
For the martini:
- 1 1/2 oz vanilla vodka
- 1 1/2 oz amaretto
- 1 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 oz whole milk
- 1-2 shot espresso
Instructions
Prepare the glass:
- Mix the powdered sugar and milk in a bowl that’s big enough to dip your martini glass in.
- Place the sprinkles in a separate bowl of the same size.
- Dip the rim of the glass in the sugar frosting and then in the sprinkles, rolling to cover all sides.
Make the drink:
- Add the vanilla vodka, amaretto, condensed milk, milk and espresso to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain into the prepared martini glass.
- Top with extra sprinkles, if desired.
Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini recipe ingredients, tips, substitutions:
Vodka – Vanilla vodka is the ideal spirit to use because it keeps us from having to add vanilla. On that note, feel free to use regular vodka and add a dash of vanilla extract.
Amaretto – a hint of almond is key to the sugar cookie vibe we’re going for. I don’t really have a substitute for this one.
Sweetened Condensed Milk – creamy, milk, sweet… every time I open one of these I have to stop myself from polishing off the whole can. There is no match for the dreamy flavour of this ingredient, plus, it saves us from making simple syrup which is such a pain in the a**.
Milk – I use whole milk and I wouldn’t recommend anything lower fat. You can even use cream if you like.
Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini Recipe Variations:
Peppermint Version – I love this little minty version. Simply add a few drops of peppermint extract to the shaker. Don’t overdo it or the flavour will overwhelm the whole drink.
Baileys Irish Cream Version – I purposely did not add Baileys to this recipe simply because I didn’t want it to taste like Baileys. But! If you love the stuff, cut the Amaretto back to 1 oz and add in 1 oz of Baileys.
Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini Recipe, how to make it…
Ready to give your espresso martini the ultimate sugar cookie glow-up??
Start by mixing up a little edible martini glass glue—a simple combo of powdered sugar and milk. You’ll need a bowl big enough to give your glass rim a good swirl. Whisk the “frosting” until smooth and glossy. In another bowl, pour in the sprinkles—stick to classic sugar cookie colours, use Christmas colours, or glam it up like I did with gold sprinkles and rock sugar, your call. Take your martini glass, give the rim a generous dip into the frosting, and then roll it around in the sprinkles. You can even do this well in advance if you need to.
Now the cocktail… Grab your cocktail shaker and add the vanilla vodka, the amaretto, the milk, the condensed milk (this is key to the sugar cookie vibe, and also saves us from having to make simple syrup you’re welcome), and a shot or two of espresso. Add in a big handful of ice. Shake it up until it’s all perfectly blended and frosty.
Strain into your bedazzled martini glass. And because I am not one to shy away from a little extra, I highly recommend sprinkling a few more sprinkles on top. Cheers!
looking for ideas for what to serve with this Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini recipe? try these…
- If you want a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail you can use my Sugar Cookie Creamer and Sugar Cookie Cold Foam to make an Iced Sugar Cookie Latte.
- If you want to go sugar cookie crazy, serve this martini with my Sprinkles Sugar Cookies
- If you’re just having a simple cocktail party then serve them up with these Everything Bagel Cashews or these Butter Toffee Peanuts
If you like this Sugar Cookie Espresso Martini Recipe let me know what you think in the comments below and please find and follow me on Social Media!
