Espresso Martini Mocktail

Velvety and rich in coffee flavor, but without the booze! Espresso Martini Mocktail is a zero-proof version of the popular coffee cocktail.

Like so many things I love, the original Espresso Martini Mocktail became popular in the 1980s. Born in London, popularized in Europe, and now loved all over the world, the iconic cocktail combines espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup, shaken together and served in a Martini glass.

Traditionally, three coffee beans are added as a garnish to celebrate health, wealth, and happiness.

While I enjoy the cocktail, sometimes I just don't want the alcohol. So, this zero-proof version is a great alternative!

Some substitutions I made:

• Instead of vodka, I subbed in a non-alcoholic rum (I used the Ritual brand). The herbal and caramel flavors in the NA rum add a warming note.
• Rather than coffee liqueur, I used Angostura bitters for complex flavors and bite.
• The original calls for simple syrup, but I chose a rich simple syrup instead. For those who aren't familiar, simple syrup is a 1:1 sugar-water ratio, while rich simple syrup is a 2:1 sugar-water ratio that yields a more viscous, syrupy mouthfeel, similar to that in coffee liqueur.

Just for fun, I also dipped the rim of the glass in unsweetened cocoa powder! I love the earthy tone it brings, both in flavor and visually.

Lessons Learned

• Don't have espresso? A cheater version: 1 Tablespoon of instant coffee (regular or decaf) plus 2 ounces of hot water. I won't tell if you don't tell.
• Need this to be sugar-free? Make a rich simple syrup with monkfruit-allulose blend rather than granulated white sugar. It is so good!
• Is that pinch of salt a typo? Nope! It adds the right amount of salinity to keep the mocktail balanced and delicious.

More Mocktails

More booze-free drinks you might enjoy: Blood Orange Cosmo-Not, Grapefruit Coconut Paloma Mocktail, and Ginger Turmeric Fizz.

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