Prepare:

1. Chill Glass: Place your martini glass or coupe in the freezer for at least 5 minutes before making the drink. A chilled glass keeps the cocktail colder longer and looks more elegant with that frosty appearance.
2. Brew Espresso: Pull one shot of espresso using your espresso machine or Moka pot. If you’re using hot espresso, you can shake immediately (creates better foam). If you prefer to cool it slightly (to avoid diluting ice too much), let it cool for 1-2 minutes.

Mix the Cocktail:

3. Add Ingredients to Shaker: Fill your cocktail shaker with ice—you want it quite full, about ¾ way up. Add the vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup (start with ¼ ounce if unsure about sweetness—you can always add more).
4. Shake Vigorously: This is the most important step! Seal your shaker tightly and shake hard and fast for 15-20 seconds. You want to shake vigorously enough that you can hear the ice really moving around. The aggressive shaking creates that signature foam crown on top. Your arms will get a mini workout—that’s normal! The drink is ready when the outside of the shaker becomes frosty cold.
5. Taste and Adjust (Optional): If you want to check sweetness before serving, you can strain a tiny bit into a spoon and taste. If it’s too bitter, add another ¼ ounce simple syrup and shake again for 5 more seconds.

Serve:

6. Strain into Glass: Remove your chilled glass from the freezer. Using a Hawthorne strainer (or the built-in strainer if using a cobbler shaker), strain the cocktail into the chilled martini glass. For an ultra-smooth texture, some bartenders double-strain through a fine mesh strainer to catch any tiny ice chips or coffee grounds.
7. Check the Foam: If you shook properly, you should have a beautiful layer of creamy, light brown foam on top of the dark coffee-colored cocktail. The foam should be about ¼-½ inch thick.
8. Garnish: Place three coffee beans on top of the foam in a triangle pattern or in a line. This is the traditional garnish representing health, wealth, and happiness.
9. Serve Immediately: Espresso martinis are best enjoyed immediately while cold and while the foam is fresh and intact.