There’s something about an espresso martini that just works.
It’s rich, smooth, slightly indulgent and somehow perfect whether you’re starting the night or finishing dinner with friends. Over the last few years, the espresso martini has become one of Australia’s favourite cocktails, and honestly, we completely understand why.
At Hang 10 Distillery in Warriewood on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, we’ve spent the last few months developing our very own Coffee Liqueur specifically with coffee cocktails and espresso martinis in mind.
The result? A rich, balanced Australian coffee liqueur with bold coffee flavour, subtle sweetness and enough depth to make a seriously good espresso martini at home.
Whether you’re hosting friends, planning a dinner party or simply want to upgrade your Friday night cocktail game, here’s our guide to making the perfect espresso martini.
What Makes a Great Espresso Martini?
The best espresso martinis are all about balance.
Too sweet and it feels heavy. Too bitter and it loses that smooth, velvety finish everyone loves.
A good espresso martini should be:
- Rich and coffee-forward
- Smooth and creamy on top
- Slightly sweet without tasting sugary
- Strong enough to feel like a proper cocktail
- Served ice cold
And surprisingly, the quality of the coffee liqueur makes a huge difference.
That’s exactly why we created our Coffee Liqueur at Hang 10 Distillery to make coffee cocktails feel more premium, more natural and less artificial than many traditional options on the market.
Hang 10’s Distillery Espresso Martini Recipe
Ingredients
- 50 ml Coffee Liqueur (Hang 10)
- 20 ml Caramel Syrup
- 45 ml Cold Brew (Barrel One Coffee Roasters) or 30ml of espresso coffee
-
Ice
Optional:
- Coffee beans for garnish
- Chocolate powder
Method
- Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake hard for around 15-20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate powder if desired.
- Enjoy immediately.
The secret is shaking hard and properly, this creates the creamy foam layer on top that makes an espresso martini look and taste incredible.
Meet Our Coffee Liqueur
Our Coffee Liqueur is made at our Northern Beaches distillery in small batches and bottled at 27% ABV for a fuller flavour and richer cocktail experience.
Rather than creating something overly sugary, we wanted a coffee liqueur that still tasted refined and spirit-forward while letting the coffee shine through.
Expect notes of:
- Fresh roasted coffee
- Dark chocolate
- Caramel sweetness
- Smooth spirit warmth
It works beautifully in:
- Espresso martinis
- After dinner cocktails
- Over ice
- Affogatos
- Dessert pairings
Coffee Cocktails Are Having a Moment in Australia
Coffee cocktails have exploded in popularity across Australia over the last few years, especially espresso martinis.
People are looking for cocktails that feel fun, indulgent and easy to recreate at home, and espresso martinis tick all the boxes.
At Hang 10 Distillery, we love creating products that bring bar-quality drinks into people’s homes while still feeling approachable and relaxed.
No fancy equipment needed. Just good ingredients and good company.
Visit Our Distillery in Warriewood
If you’d like to try our Coffee Liqueur in person, visit our distillery and bar in Warriewood on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
We serve cocktails, gin tastings, craft beer from Half-Pace Brewing Company, pizzas and relaxed surf-inspired vibes just a short drive from the beach.
You can also shop our Coffee Liqueur online Australia-wide.
Shop Our Coffee Liqueur Online
Ready to make your own espresso martinis at home?
Our Hang 10 Distillery Coffee Liqueur is available online and at our Warriewood distillery cellar door.
Perfect for:
- Cocktail lovers
- Coffee lovers
- Dinner parties
- Gifts
- Espresso martini fans
Cheers 🍸