An Espresso Martini is one of the most ordered cocktails in the country right now. It’s also one of the more labor-intensive drinks to make at home: you need fresh espresso, a shaker, vodka, coffee liqueur, and some patience with the foam.

Vodka and cold brew gets you most of the way there with two ingredients and no espresso machine.

It’s not exactly the same, as it is lighter, less sweet, and more coffee-forward than an Espresso Martini. But if you’re making a quick coffee cocktail on a weeknight, this is the version to try.

Which Vodka?

Because coffee is assertive, the vodka blends into the background, which means you have flexibility on brand but still want something without a harsh finish.

A coffee-infused vodka, if you can find one, takes this drink somewhere more interesting. Absolut Vodka Wild Tea or any coffee-infused spirit layered over cold brew makes a more complex version without adding a third ingredient.

The cold brew

Cold brew concentrate is better than regular iced coffee for the same reason it’s better in the rum coffee version: it’s less bitter, more intensely flavored, and thick enough to give the drink some body. Dilute it slightly if the concentrate is very strong.

Sweetness

This base drink has no added sweetness. The cold brew provides some natural sweetness from its lower acidity, and the vodka is neutral. If you want something closer to an Espresso Martini in sweetness level, add cream and sugar to taste.

3-Ingredient Upgrade: Add Cream

Float an ounce of heavy cream over the top of the drink after building it. Pour it slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits on top rather than mixing in immediately. The cream adds richness and a slight sweetness that mellows out the coffee.

A long cocktail stirrer lets you mix the cream in gradually as you drink so the ratio changes with every sip.

Vanilla syrup is another great option. Half an ounce stirred in before the coffee adds a sweetness that ties the vodka and cold brew together more cohesively.

Mocktail Version

Cold brew with a cream float and a splash of vanilla syrup will basically give you a Vietnamese iced coffee without the condensed milk. Adjust the cream to your desired richness.

Other vodka cocktails to try

• Guava After Dark
• Pear Ginger Sour
• Chai Orange Blossom Martini

More 2-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails:

• Vodka Apple
• Vodka Coffee
• Vodka Cranberry
• Vodka Guava
• Vodka Iced Tea
• Vodka Lemonade
• Vodka Pineapple
• Vodka Soda
• Vodka Sprite
• Vodka Tonic
• Vodka Watermelon
• Screwdriver

Vodka and Cold Brew

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz cold brew coffee
• Large ice cube

Instructions

1. Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass.
2. Add vodka.
3. Top with cold brew and stir gently.

3-Ingredient Cream Version

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz cold brew coffee
• 1 oz heavy cream
• Large ice cube

Instructions

1. Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass.
2. Add vodka.
3. Top with cold brew and stir gently.
4. Slowly pour cream over the back of a spoon to float it on top.