Espresso Martinis – Sugar-Free!

How to make a classic Espresso Martini without sugar! This keto cocktail is strong, sweet, and deliciously frothy. It makes a perfect sugar-free aperitif or after-dinner drink.

 

I don’t indulge in keto cocktails very often, but when I do, I try to make them absolutely fabulous. I want my mixed drinks to feel special, like I’m in a swanky bar being served by a waiter.

And this Espresso Martini gives off the perfect vibe. It’s simple and classy, and looks stunning in a glass with a few coffee beans floating on top. It also tastes just like the classic version, with none of the added sugar.

A wonderful libation for celebrating any occasion! I plan on ringing in the New Year with these and my low sugar Cranberry Mimosas.

Easy low carb cocktails

Classic espresso martinis take Kahlua, and many of you are familiar with my Sugar Free Kahlua. It’s easy to make but it takes time to develop the flavors properly. And if you’re keen on making this cocktail now, you do not want to wait 3 weeks!

I have a hack to make these sugar-free espresso martinis instantly. Kahlua is made of rum, coffee, sugar, and vanilla. So if you just add those ingredients right into the martini, you’ve got the same flavor profile.

Of course, you need to swap out the sugar for keto-approved sweeteners. I used some keto simple syrup but you can also just add in your favorite sweetener. You can also add a little cream for a creamier drink.

Then all you need to do is mix it up, shake and pour. And you’ve got a wonderful new keto cocktail to add to your repertoire. Salut!

Ingredients you need

• Espresso: Freshly brewed espresso works best, as it has the crema that helps create the frothy top of the martini. See Expert Tips for alternatives.
• Vodka: Do yourself a favor and pick a decent vodka that has a smooth finish.
• Dark Rum: This helps replace the Kahlua in conventional espresso martinis.
• Sugar Free Simple Syrup: You have lots of syrup options, including Miss Mary’s Sinless Syrups and ChocZero Vanilla Syrup. Both work well here. See the Expert Tips for more options.
• Vanilla: A little vanilla extract also helps replicate the Kahlua flavor. Skip it if you use a vanilla flavored syrup.
• Heavy cream: An optional ingredient for a creamy, latte style martini.

Step by Step Directions

Making a keto espresso martini is just as easy as making any cocktail. Shake it up!

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Pour in all the ingredients and add the lid.

3. Shake hard for 30 to 60 seconds to create a foam.

4. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top with espresso beans.

Expert Tips

Make sure the espresso is cooled to room temp before making the martini. Otherwise it will melt the ice and water down the cocktail.

If you want that creamy top, you really need to use a proper shot of espresso. Both pod machines and classic espresso machines will give you the crema on top. If you only have regular coffee, brew it strongly and try adding a tablespoon of egg white from a carton. That will help it foam up when you shake it.

Adjust the sweetness to your liking. You can even give all of the ingredients a stir while they are in the cocktail shaker, stick a spoon in, and taste if it’s sweet enough.

Sweetener Options

There are plenty of ready-made keto syrups that you can buy for these and other keto cocktails, so feel free to add your favorites. Some of them are called “coffee syrups” and have flavors, but they can be used in cocktails as well.

I like the Miss Mary’s Sinless Syrup, but the new ChocZero syrups are great too. The vanilla or the hazelnut would be lovely in this recipe.

You can also simply add your sweetener of choice. I recommend a powdered sweetener like Swerve Confectioners, or a liquid sweetener like stevia extract.

Even liquid allulose will work nicely. Keep in mind that allulose is only about 70% as sweet as sugar so you may need to add a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

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