Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini (2024)

I love myself co*cktails that taste amazing, add a little fun to the party and also doesn’t make you feel weighed down during the party or after! That is where these Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini’s come in. Espresso Martinis are known to be delicious, but the sugar content is very high. The sugar usually comes from the simple syrup and the Kahlua. That is why with these Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini we are using Monk Fruit sweetener & Karuna Synergy Coffee Blend. I am so excited to share this recipe with you guys, so let’s cheers and get started!

What is the History Behind Espresso Martinis?

The story goes that the Espresso Martini was created in the eighties by a London bartender named Dick Bradesel. It is said that a big actress during that time came into the bar and wanted something that could do two things “something that will wake me up & f*** me up.” Very blunt comment indeed hahah, but that actress sparked an idea in the said bartender and his solution was something that would cover both those wants espresso AND vodka. Therefore, traditionally the espresso martini has fresh brewed espresso, vodka, coffee liquor and sugar/simple syrup.

So even though we are not in London during the eighties and not an actress demanding a drink at the “it”bar during the time. We sure can pretend at home and get pretty darn close to the real deal!

Ingredients you will need for the Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini:

Sugar Free Karuna Coffee Simple Syrup

2/3 cup Karuna Synergy Coffee Blend

1/3 cup granulated monk fruit

Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini

2 oz vodka ( or less if you want less strong)

1 oz fresh brewed espresso

1/2 to 1 oz of Sugar Free Karuna Coffee Simple Syrup

1/2 oz Kahlua (coffee liquor)

3 whole coffee beans for the top decoration

Tools to use when making Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini

Espresso Machine or use Espresso Concentrate but NOT instant espresso

Drink Shaker : this set is awesome!

Natural Granulated Monk Fruit Sweetener : can order online or get in stores

Martini Glasses ( of course!): you can do tall ones which are my favorite or short too!

What to serve with Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini

it might seem tricky to know what to serve with the espresso martini but there are a lot of delicious creations to pair with it. Either rich and creamy savory dishes or sweet treats– either way you are set.

Meat and Cheese Board :

I know that meat and cheese is not the first thing that maybe comes to your mind when drinking your espresso martini, but hear me out! For this meat & cheese board you would want rich and creamy cheeses like goat cheese, mild white cheddar, Boursin or Burrata to really bring out the flavors in the martini. Adds a little sweet & creamy to your pallet

Cheese Cake

I mean can your really go wrong when thinking of drinking an espresso martini while indulging in cheesecake? I mean the night sounds like the most PERFECT set up. Experiment with different types of cheese cakes, maybe a test tasting cheesecake night with one of these easy espresso martinis in hand!

Goat Cheese & Honey Crostini’s:

First of all if you have not had goat cheese on a crostini with honey before prepare for your life to change. Goat cheese is by far one of my favorite cheeses. The tangy, creaminess paired with the sweetness from the honey is absolutely heavenly. THEN pair it with the smooth, sweetness of the espresso martini. The perfect pair!

Chocolate Cake

Espresso Martini & chocolate cake just scream match made in heaven. Coffee… chocolate.. they just are meant for one another, so this combo is an epic success.

Vanilla Ice Cream

I feel the vanilla ice cream combo is a very similar reason to the cheese cake & chocolate cake… when you think about it, it truly is a no brainer. Except you want to stick with sweet based ice cream not mint or tangy like lemon or sherbet type of flavors. Stick with your vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon etc.

So what is behind making these Espresso Martini’s “Low Sugar”

The who & what behind these espresso martini’s being low sugar is the one and only Karuna. Karuna is a company that I have been working with for almost 2 years now. They are an incredible women owned buisness that focuses on creating drinks that follow their philosophy that “Food is Medicine.” Each drink in the Karuna series is focused on whole plant based ingredients that provide restoredigestive health, packed with antioxidants,clean protein, and sustained energy. That is why I decided instead of using a simple syrup using cane sugar, we would mix it up this recipe! Adding a deliciously nutritious ingredient to make the simple syrup good for you & the perfect addition to our addicting espresso martini.

Directions for Sugar Free Karuna Coffee Simple Syrup

Ingredients:

2/3 cup Karuna Synergy Coffee Blend

1/3 cup granulated monk fruit

Directions:

1. Add the Karuna to sauce pan & pour in your granulated monk fruit. Turn your stove on medium low. Take your whisk & whisk for 1 minute. Turn up your heat to medium heat, while whisking. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat to a very low simmer. Whisk it occasionally and let it simmer at a very low simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Take off the heat & let cool. This is the best method & ratio so the monk fruit does NOT crystalize & the monk fruit dissolves fully.
3. Add to glass jar & let it fully cool then reserve in fridge until ready to use

Other HGHF X Karuna Recipes to Make

Simple Pecan Pie Muffins

Sugar Free Strawberry Shortcake Bars

The Best Healthy Margarita

Easy Mini Stuffed French Toast Bites

Common Questions when making Easy Low Sugar Espresso Martini

What is the best way to store the Sugar Free Karuna Coffee Simple Syrup ?

I LOVE using these small mason jars to store sauces or syrups like this. For this syrup let it cool, store in a jar like the mason jars linked & store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Can you make this with regular coffee?

No 🙂 An espresso martini wouldn’t be an espresso martini without the… espresso! The deep, rich, strong taste of espresso is unmatched to coffee.

Are you able to make espresso in your coffee maker?

You can… but it isn’t the same. I know, I have tried 🙂 It is way less strong & the water ratio to the espresso really is off balanced. It is best to use espresso machine or use espresso concentrate from the store.

Is there another alcohol besides vodka that works with this recipe?

Vodka needs to be the base of the drink, because there are so many other complicated flavors in this drink that when paired work so well together, we want our alcohol to not be the star of the show. Therefore we need a milder tasting alcohol.

How do you get the frothy top to the espresso martinis?

You want to shake it awake not rock it to bed. Meaning you want to shake it FAST continuously in your shaker, not rocking it back and forth (which is rocking it to sleep lol!) Then pour quickly into glass right after the last fast shake, and voila!