If you’re a coffee lover and also can’t get enough of all those dreamy fall flavors, this pumpkin spice espresso martini recipe is for you! Our recipe uses a homemade pumpkin syrup made with real pumpkin and all your favorite fall spices for the ultimate cocktail experience!

Two pumpkin spice espresso martinis on a gold tray with espresso beans and pumpkins scattered around the scene.

As an avid coffee drinker and fan of home bartending, I love a good coffee cocktail recipe. My husband and I have been mixing up our own cocktails together at home for over 15 years (in our 20s it was cheaper than going out, and in our 30s we don’t’ have to go out – ha!). And since fall is our favorite season, it only made sense to perfect a fall twist on a classic espresso martini.

We love to enjoy this pumpkin espresso martini as an after dinner drink in the fall because it’s smooth, sweet, with the perfect hint of warming fall spices and coffee at the end. Honestly, it tastes like a boozy pumpkin spice latte! It would also be a great fall brunch drink!

If you love this fall coffee cocktail, be sure to try our pumpkin spice white Russian too! We also have excellent recipes for a Baileys espresso martini and a cold brew martini for you coffee lovers.

Why You’ll Love Our Pumpkin Espresso Martini Recipe

Delicious fall flavor infused into your coffee cocktail. We use a homemade pumpkin spice syrup to infuse real pumpkin flavor and warm fall spices into our recipe.

Quick and easy to shake up! This is an easy cocktail to make, making it a good option for home bartenders of all skill levels.

Option for decaf. If you love coffee but get affected by caffeine late in the day (like I do) and want to enjoy this as an after dinner drink, using decaf espresso for our recipe is a great option! A decaf espresso martini isn’t typically available when you get this drink at a restaurant or bar.

Ingredients to Make a Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Ingredients needed to make a pumpkin spice espresso martini.

Espresso. Fresh espresso is a must for an espresso martini!

Vodka. Regular vodka is the traditional spirit used in an espresso martini. It’s mild flavor makes it the perfect choice for this drink as it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.

Coffee Liqueur (like Kahlua). Coffee liqueur is the other standard alcohol used in a classic espresso martini, adding more rich coffee flavor and sweetness to your drink. Kahlua, Tia Maria, and Mr. Black are popular options for this ingredient. Kahlua and Tia Maria are both rum-based while Mr. Black is a vodka (and less sweet) coffee liqueur.

Pumpkin Spice Syrup. This is what adds fall flavor to our cocktail! Our homemade pumpkin spice coffee syrup uses real pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to create the perfect fall sweetener for this cocktail. Plus, we recommend straining your syrup so you don’t end up with any pumpkin pulp in your drink (vs. recipes you see putting pumpkin puree directly into the shaker). It only takes 10 minutes to make our pumpkin syrup and you can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

If desired, use a store-bought syrup like Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup or Torani Pumpkin Spice Syrup.

Espresso Beans for Serving (optional, but classic). Three espresso beans floated on the frothy top of your espresso martini is the traditional way to serve this cocktail. The three beans are said to represent health, wealth, and happiness.

Pumpkin Pie Spice for Garnish (option, but cute). If desired, add a little dash of pumpkin pie spice on top for that final fall touch.

Get the full recipe with measurements for each ingredient in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Fresh Espresso Makes The Best Frothy Top

Freshly brewed espresso has a natural froth to it. Using freshly brewed espresso in combination with vigorous shaking will create the ultimate foamy top to rest your espresso beans on. Just be sure to add it as the last ingredient to your shaker so you don’t melt all of your ice while you measure out your other cocktail ingredients.

Recipe Variations

Make it into a creamy espresso martini! While our pumpkin spice espresso martini is smooth, a little sweet, and balanced as-is, adding in a little cream never hurts! Add 1 ounce of vanilla creamer or milk of choice (I’d recommend half & half) to your shaker per drink if this is your preference.

Try vanilla vodka. This drink would be a great opportunity to use your vanilla vodka if you have it in your liquor cabinet. Just replace the regular vodka one-for-one with the vanilla.

Can You Make an Espresso Martini without Espresso?

Yes! If you don’t have a way to brew espresso at home, don’t fret! You can also make this pumpkin spice martini with strongly brewed coffee or cold brew coffee concentrate. While this wouldn’t be my first choice, you can even try making this into an espresso martini with instant coffee!

How to Make an Espresso Pumpkin Spice Martini

Close up of a jar of homemade pumpkin spice syrup.

If you don’t already have this in your fridge, make your homemade pumpkin spice syrup (this adds 10 minutes to the recipe).

Process shot showing ice being added to a cocktail shaker.

Fill a cocktail shaker at least half full with ice.

Process shot showing vodka being added to a cocktail shaker.

Then add the vodka to the shaker.

Process shot showing coffee liqueur being added to a cocktail shaker.

Next add the coffee liqueur to the shaker.

Process shot showing pumpkin spice syrup being added to a cocktail shaker.

Then add the pumpkin spice syrup to the shaker.

Process shot showing freshly brewed espresso being added to a cocktail shaker.

Lastly, add the freshly brewed espresso to the shaker.

Process shot showing all ingredients being shaken in a cocktail shaker.

Cap and shake vigorously for at least 20 seconds. The shaker should become very cold to the touch.

Process shot showing the cocktail being poured into a coupe glass from the cocktail shaker.

Pour the pumpkin spice espresso martini into a martini or coupe glass.

Close up of three coffee beans floated on top of a frothy pumpkin espresso martini.

Add three espresso beans on top of the foam (for good luck!).

Close up of three coffee beans floated on top of a frothy pumpkin espresso martini with a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Optionally shake on a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon too.

Taste and adjust the ratios to suit your personal preferences. If you’d prefer a milder drink, only add 1 ounce of vodka. If you’d like a less sweet drink, only add ½ ounce of coffee liqueur.

Expert Espresso Martini Tip: Shake it Really Good!

An espresso martini needs long, vigorous shaking to ensure the desired froth forms for serving. Be sure to shake your drink well, until the cocktail shaker is cold to the touch. This will take about 20 seconds.

Helpful Equipment

You will need a way to brew fresh espresso. You can use a simple moka pot (which is a cost effective choice and small to store), have a Nespresso maker (a bit more of an investment, needs pods, and takes up a bit more space), or use an at-home espresso machine (the biggest investment that also takes up the most space).

Classic bar tools like a jigger and cocktail shaker are helpful when making this recipe. But I’m not going to judge if you use regular measuring spoons and an upcycled glass jar to make your cocktail.

Martini or coupe glasses for serving. This is a sophisticated cocktail, so serve it up in the right glass! A classic martini glass or lovely coupe glass is just what you need.

Having a Party? Make This into a Large Batch Espresso Martini!

This pumpkin spice espresso martini is a great choice to serve at Halloween Parties, Fall girls nights, or really any fall gathering that requires a fun cocktail.

To make a batched espresso martini, either pre-make your espresso or use cold brew coffee. Mix all ingredients together in an extra large jar, pitcher, or drink dispenser and store in the fridge until the event. Before serving, either shake or stir (depending on what kind of lid you have) to re-distribute the spices from your pumpkin syrup throughout the cocktail.

Please note: making a large scale version of this drink will result in a beverage without a frothy top. Not a big deal, just FYI.

Love This Recipe? Try One of These Fall Cocktails Next!

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Comments

5 from 3 votes

Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martinis