Easy Espresso Martini With Baileys (Low Carb) | Natasha's Food Adventures (2024)

The perfect co*cktail for coffee lovers does exist! It's this super Easy Espresso Martini With Baileys and it just so happens to be low carb too! Don't let the lower carb count fool you, this coffee co*cktail is just what your next celebration needs.

It's the perfect after-dinner drink to give you a boost of energy to stay up until midnight for the ball drop on New Years' or wrap those last-minute gifts on Christmas Eve.

Is This The Same As A Classic Espresso Martini Recipe?

This low-carb baileys espresso martini is slightly different than a classic one. A traditional espresso martini only has espresso, regular vodka, and coffee liqueur. I'm a big fan of creamy espresso martinis, so I used Baileys Irish Cream instead of Coffee Liqueur.

It was also a nice bonus that I found Baileys Deliciously Light Irish Cream because it cuts out lots of sugar and carbs without sacrificing flavor.

Do Espresso Martinis Have Carbs?

Yes, most Espresso Martinis have carbs. A typical coffee liqueur like Kahlua has about 16 grams of carbs per ounce. That's quite a bit for just one co*cktail! Primarily if you use more than one ounce. The total amount of carbs for this recipe is only 6.44 grams of carbs per serving. This doesn't include the dark chocolate garnish. But honestly, I can't imagine that adds more than 1 gram of carbs to the total plus the chocolate notes it adds are lovely. That's still well under the 16 grams of a traditional espresso martini.

What Liquor Is Best For An Espresso Martini?

There are lots of different options when it comes to choosing a liquor for your martini. Traditional martinis have gin and vermouth. I don't think either of those goes with the taste of espresso so I would skip those.

If you prefer a creamy espresso martini you will want to use Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur or Kahlua Coffee Liqueur.

Typically espresso martinis have vodka in them but you could experiment with flavored vodkas too. I chose the vanilla-flavored vodka because it's pretty low in carbs but they also have a whipped cream flavor that sounded amazing but was much higher in carbs.

Can You Make This Recipe Without An Espresso Machine?

Absolutely! That's actually what I did to create mine. We only have a Keurig in our house because I'm usually the only one that drinks coffee. It has the option to make iced coffee which comes in handy for this recipe and you can also get a single-serving reusable pod to fill with whatever fresh espresso beans you like.

I've found that the "iced' setting on my Keurig makes strong coffee and almost an exact 6 oz. which is what this recipe calls for. If you're using an actual espresso machine it will definitely have a stronger coffee flavor and you can reduce the amount to 4 oz. if you wish.

Is This Espresso Martini With Baileys Recipe Diabetic Friendly?

Yes! Since this recipe is lower in carbohydrates it makes an excellent co*cktail choice for anyone that has diabetes. However, this also depends on what your doctor or dietitian recommends so check with them first. Some recommend not drinking any alcohol at all depending on several factors that would be unique to you.

The CDC states "to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men or 1 drink or less in a day for women, on days when alcohol is consumed." This is actually their recommendation for all adults of legal drinking age, not just diabetics. I stick to one drink in a day when I do choose to have one, and I also make sure to eat at the same time as I have a drink to avoid a drop in blood sugar. Here are some diabetic-friendly recipe ideas if you want something to pair with your co*cktails!

Want more information? I found this post from the American Diabetes Association about Alcohol Consumption and Diabetes quite informative.

How Do I Make My Espresso Martini Frothy On Top?

One of the unique characteristics of the perfect espresso martini is a creamy top. For the best results make sure to shake the ingredients in your co*cktail shaker as vigorously as possible before pouring the drink into your glass.

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Optional Additions & Different Variations:

Looking to change up this Espresso Martini Recipe? I've listed some optional additions and variations to help you customize your co*cktail experience. Please note that depending on other ingredients you add to this recipe it will change the macro content I have listed in the recipe card below.

Cold Brew: Don't have a coffee maker or espresso machine? Your favorite store-bought cold brew would work great as well.

Decaf Espresso: Don't want to be up all night? You can switch out the espresso for decaf beans instead.

Bailey's Original Irish Cream: If you're not worried about the carbohydrates in your co*cktail then you can use traditional Baileys instead. Any Irish Cream would work in this instance.

Vodka: I used Vanilla Vodka for this recipe, but you can use regular vodka or any other flavor that sounds good to you.

Irish Whiskey: Don't like vodka? You could also use Irish Whiskey instead.

Hot Chocolate: Want to skip the espresso altogether? Try hot chocolate instead for a more decadent co*cktail.

Simple Syrup: Looking to add some extra sweetness to your martini? Add about ½ oz. of Simple Syrup. You could even try Monk Fruit Syrup to keep it low-carb.

Tools Needed:

co*cktail Shaker (This Is The One I Use & It's THE BEST)

Coffee Machine or Espresso Maker

Zester (For Chocolate Garnish)

I’m really happy that you are trying out my co*cktail recipe. Would love to see how it turns out for you! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @natashasfoodadventuresor use my hashtag#natashasfoodadventures.

Other Low-Carb co*cktail Recipes You Might Enjoy:

APPLE CIDER MARTINI RECIPE WITH VODKA (LOW-CARB)

FRESH SKINNY SPICY MARGARITA RECIPE

NEW ORLEANS-INSPIRED BLOODY MARY