Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini

If you love an espresso martini but want something a little richer and more dessert-like, this Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini is such a good one. It’s creamy, chocolatey, slightly nutty, and has just enough espresso flavor to keep it from being overly sweet.

This is the kind of cocktail I love making once the weather starts cooling down and I’m craving something a little more indulgent. It would be perfect for a cozy fall night, a holiday dinner, girls’ night, or even as an after-dinner cocktail instead of dessert.

If you love creamy coffee cocktails, you’ll also want to try my Pumpkin Tiramisu Cocktail, Brown Sugar RumChata Espresso Punch, and Salted Mocha Pumpkin Espresso Martini. They all have that rich dessert-cocktail feel that is especially good during fall and the holiday season.

for a batched party version click here

A Creamy Twist on the Classic Espresso Martini

A traditional espresso martini is already one of my favorite cocktails, but adding chocolate and hazelnut takes it in a completely different direction.

The espresso still gives you that bold coffee flavor, while chocolate liqueur makes everything rich and decadent. Hazelnut liqueur brings in a warm, slightly nutty sweetness that pairs perfectly with coffee.

Then I like adding just a little Irish cream to give the martini that creamy, smooth finish.

It basically tastes like your favorite chocolate hazelnut coffee turned into a cocktail.

Perfect for Fall and Holiday Entertaining

This chocolate hazelnut espresso martini recipe feels especially perfect for entertaining. You can serve it after Thanksgiving dinner, make it for a Christmas cocktail night, or serve a tray of them at a holiday party.

I love cocktails like this because they feel impressive without being complicated. You only need a few ingredients, everything goes into a cocktail shaker, and you have a gorgeous dessert martini in minutes.

For a holiday gathering, pair these with something savory first, like my Creamy Sausage Orzo Soup, and then bring these out later in the evening as a little cocktail dessert.

How to Get That Beautiful Espresso Martini Foam

One of the best parts of an espresso martini is that creamy foam on top.

Fresh espresso works beautifully, especially if you let it cool slightly before shaking. Add everything to your cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and shake it really well.

And when I say shake it well, I mean really shake it.

That extra shaking helps aerate the espresso and gives you that gorgeous foamy layer when you strain it into the glass.

A chilled martini or coupe glass makes it even better.

Chocolate Hazelnut Garnish Ideas

You can keep the garnish simple with three coffee beans on top, but this cocktail is also really fun to dress up.

A little chocolate drizzle inside the glass looks beautiful. You could also add finely chopped toasted hazelnuts around part of the rim or dust the top lightly with cocoa powder.

For an extra dessert-like version, spread a tiny bit of chocolate hazelnut spread around the rim and dip it into chopped hazelnuts.

Just don’t go too heavy with the garnish. The cocktail itself is already rich, so a simple finishing touch is usually all it needs.

Can I Use Cold Brew Instead of Espresso?

Yes. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can substitute strong cold brew concentrate.

You want something fairly concentrated so the coffee flavor doesn’t disappear behind the chocolate, hazelnut, and Irish cream.

Regular brewed coffee can also work in a pinch, but make it stronger than you normally would and chill it before making the cocktail.

Make This Chocolate Hazelnut Martini Your Own

One reason I love espresso martinis is how easy they are to change depending on what you have at home.

If you want it sweeter and creamier, add a little more Irish cream.

For stronger hazelnut flavor, increase the hazelnut liqueur slightly. And if you are a serious chocolate lover, add a small amount of extra chocolate liqueur.

You could even add a tiny spoonful of chocolate hazelnut spread to the shaker for an extra-decadent Nutella-style espresso martini. Just make sure you shake it really well so everything blends together.

The Perfect Dessert Cocktail

This Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini is one of those drinks that feels like a cocktail and dessert all in one glass.

You get bold espresso, creamy Irish cream, rich chocolate, and that warm hazelnut flavor in every sip. It’s elegant enough for a holiday party but easy enough to make at home whenever you want something special.

If you’re putting together a fall or holiday cocktail menu, this one would also be delicious alongside my Oatmeal Cookie Martini or one of my creamy RumChata cocktails.

Serve it cold, add your favorite garnish, and enjoy every chocolatey, coffee-filled sip.

for a batched version to serve a crowd click here