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Salted caramel espresso martini

Smooth, rich, and irresistibly indulgent, this Salted Caramel Espresso Martini combines homemade salted caramel vodka with the boldness of espresso and coffee liqueur. It’s velvety, slightly sweet, and finished with a perfect crema – a luxurious twist for coffee and cocktail lovers alike.

Prep: over 2 hours
Cook: no cooking required
Serves: Serves 1
Dietary: Vegetarian
Salted caramel espresso martiniBy Carmen O’Neal
From Saturday Kitchen Recipes
Original recipe from BBC Saturday Kitchen Live.

Nutri-Score D This indulgent martini earns a Nutri-Score of D due to its sugar content from caramel and liqueurs. Though rich, it’s best enjoyed as an occasional treat – its balance of bitterness and sweetness makes it worth every sip.

Equipment

Ingredients

For the salted caramel vodka

  • 135g hard caramels (such as Werther’s Originals)
  • 500ml vodka

For the salted caramel espresso martini

  • 40ml salted caramel vodka (from above)
  • 25ml freshly brewed espresso, hot
  • 25ml coffee liqueur
  • 10ml cream liqueur
  • Coffee beans, to garnish

Customise

  • Use sea salt caramels for bolder flavour.
  • Swap cream liqueur for Baileys salted caramel for extra sweetness.
  • Add a pinch of flake salt to intensify the salted caramel hit.

Method

Make the Salted Caramel Vodka

  1. Place the caramels in a clean glass jar and pour over the vodka.
  2. Seal the jar and shake thoroughly to start dissolving the sweets.
  3. Leave at room temperature for 2–4 hours, shaking occasionally, until the caramels fully dissolve. For a smoother finish, leave overnight.
  4. Strain through a coffee filter to remove any residue and store at room temperature in an airtight bottle.

Make the Martini

  1. Pour the salted caramel vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and cream liqueur into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake vigorously until icy cold and a rich crema forms on top.
  3. Fine strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
  4. Top with three coffee beans for garnish and serve immediately.

What can you serve with this

  1. Dark chocolate truffles – Enhance the bitter-sweet coffee and caramel flavours.
  2. Salted caramel brownies – Double down on the indulgence theme.
  3. Vanilla panna cotta – A soft, milky contrast to the intense drink.
  4. Espresso biscotti – Adds crunch and highlights the coffee notes.
  5. Toffee popcorn – Fun, sweet, and perfectly complementary.

FAQs for Salted Caramel Espresso Martini

  • How long does the salted caramel vodka last?
    Stored in an airtight bottle at room temperature, it will keep for up to three months.
  • Can I use store-bought flavoured vodka?
    Yes, but making it from scratch gives a smoother flavour with real caramel depth.
  • What coffee works best?
    Freshly brewed espresso with a rich crema gives the perfect texture and flavour.
  • Can I make it dairy-free?
    Skip the cream liqueur or use a coconut-based alternative.
  • Do I need to add extra salt?
    Not necessarily—most hard caramels have a subtle salted balance already.
  • Why use three coffee beans?
    It’s tradition—they symbolise health, wealth, and happiness!

Nutri-score Health Check

This cocktail scores a D rating on the Nutri-Score scale, mostly due to sugars from caramels and liqueurs. However, it’s modest in portion size and lower in fat than dessert cocktails with cream or syrups.

Positive Factors

  • Espresso brings antioxidants and flavour without added sugar.
  • Vodka base keeps it clean and smooth with no fats.

Negative Factors

  • Caramels and cream liqueur boost sugar and calorie levels.
  • Alcohol contributes most calories in the drink.

The Nutri-Score has been calculated automatically and should only be used as a guide to the recipe’s general health balance.

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