Bold.
Rich.
Smooth.
I need another.
Those are the words swirling around your head as you take your first sip of your espresso martini.
There’s something mesmerizing about the chocolatey-brown drink that has a glistening, frothy top, complete with three perfectly placed espresso beans.
As soon as you see those words on a cocktail menu, you get a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face: now you don’t have to choose between complicated drinks with ingredients you can’t pronounce or haven't heard of!
Out with the girls: espresso martini. Out at a fancy dinner: espresso martini. Out at Sunday brunch: espresso martini. It’s always a perfect time for an espresso martini!
Those who adore the coffee-centered drink know it takes the perfect balance in order to get the best flavor. You don’t want it to be too strong and taste like you're drinking nail polish remover and burnt espresso, but you also don’t want it overly sweet like you're drinking melted ice cream.
The best espresso martinis are right in the middle of those two extremes: a rich espresso flavor with subtle hints of vanilla. Those are the masterpieces that have helped the espresso martini skyrocket in popularity.
We asked our readers for their favorite espresso martinis in town and put together the ultimate guide. That way, everyone can experience the hype behind the beloved cocktail.
North Italia
There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious bowl of pasta with an espresso martini on the side! You’ll feel like you’re on vacation on the Italian Riveria. At , they have a $12 espresso martini that is made with vodka, freshly brewed espresso, borghetti (coffee liqueur), Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur), and oat milk.
Bartender Amber Naab mixes up The Shelter Coffee, an espresso martini from The Shelter Cocktail Lounge, November 15, 2025, Tucson, Ariz. The Coffee is made with Three Olives Vodka, Kamora Coffee Liqueur, a house infused Amsterdam chocolate and fresh vanilla bean Skyy vodka and a cold brew coffee.
The Shelter
Sure, you’ve had an espresso at a fancy restaurant, but what about in a vintage dive bar? serves a classic espresso martini that is the perfect balance of sweet and strong. Trust me, you won’t feel cooler than sitting in a booth at The Shelter, sipping on your espresso martini while surrounded by their retro '60’s decor and colorful lights.
Charro Steak
;
As you scour the cocktail menu at , you may be a little sad to see no espresso martini listed. No need to freak out, just flip over to their dessert menu! Here, they have a chocolate espresso martini made with dorda liqueur, vanilla vodka, espresso, and crème. The creamy flavors of the vanilla and chocolate perfectly complement the coffee drink without making it overly sweet.
An espresso martini from UnCork'd.
±«²Ô°ä´Ç°ù°ì’d Kitchen and Cocktails
Tucsonans do not play when it comes to , so it was no surprise to see multiple readers recommend their espresso martinis. They make their espresso martinis with vodka, a shot of espresso, burghetti, and Demerara sugar. They also have tons of delicious appetizers that you can pair with your classy martini.
Zinburger
;
doesn’t just have juicy cheesy burgers, they also have a killer cocktail menu! Their espressotini is made with vodka, Italian espresso liqueur, and Spanish vanilla. If things couldn’t get better, their espressotini is $8 during their Happy Hour (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily). I don’t know about you, but a cheeseburger, fries, and an espressotini sounds like the PERFECT girl dinner.
The Hub's espresso martini (pictured in the middle)Â
Hub Restaurant & Ice Creamery
adds a bit of tropical flavors to their espresso martini. To make their espress-co martini, they use coconut washed vodka, licor 43, borghetti, espresso, oat milk, and mole bitters. Not only are the flavors great, but their espresso martini may be the most Instagram-worthy, as they sometimes top their drink with an “H†made out of cinnamon powder.
My sister, who I would classify as an espresso martini expert, loved the one at the Hub, and said it had the perfect amount of sweetness.
Bartender Burke Morrill mixes up an espresso martini at Unicorn Zebra, November 13, 2025, Tucson, Ariz., vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur and Presta Cold Brew.
Unicorn Zebra
Have you ever sipped on an espresso martini while a life-size statue of a unicorn zebra looks at you? Well at Unicorn Zebra, you can! This  has been a staple for those looking for a good drink and a fun vibe, and a few of our readers said they make their favorite espresso martini in town! Here, they make their drink with vodka or coco mezcal, coffee liqueur and locally made cold brew.
Café a la C’Art
Some may say the espresso martini is a work of art. (Get it? Because they are connected to the Tucson Museum of Art 🤪). This isn’t your average espresso and vodka drink. Here, they add a raspberry twist. Their French raspberry espresso martini is made with a double shot of espresso, Chambord raspberry liqueur, vodka, and 1883 vanilla.
Miramonte
has only been in business for about two months now, and they already have our readers raving about their drinks! I mean, they do have a vintage aesthetic, so of course they have good martinis. Here, they make their drink with espresso, bumbu crème, and Villon liqueur.
An espresso martini from Juniper.
Juniper
If you’re not a fan of vodka but want to partake in the espresso martini trend, this is the place for you! Since  is a gin-focused bar, they use gin (specifically Bols Genever) in their espresso martini, along with Heirloom Espresso liqueur, Demerara syrup, and cocoa bitters.
Café Passe
Looking for a cute place to spend Sunday brunch? is your place. Since they have a full coffee bar, it only makes sense that they have a tasty espresso martini on their menu. Their special ingredient in their espresso martini is Tres Amigos!