S'mores Espresso Martini: The Ultimate Holiday Cocktail

There's something magical about combining two beloved indulgences: the sophisticated buzz of an espresso martini and the nostalgic comfort of s'mores by the fire. This Espresso S'mores Martini is the perfect showstopper for any adult gathering, bringing together rich coffee, velvety chocolate, and a torched marshmallow crown that'll have your guests reaching for their phones before their first sip.

What Makes This Martini Special

This isn't your standard espresso martini. I've elevated the classic with whipped cream vodka for a smooth, sweet note that pairs beautifully with coffee, a graham cracker rim that adds that essential s'mores crunch, and the pièce de résistance: a torched marshmallow that caramelizes right before serving. It's interactive, Instagram-worthy, and absolutely delicious.

Espresso S'mores Martini Recipe

Serves: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute (for torching)

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Rim:

• 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs (finely crushed)

• Chocolate syrup or honey for rimming

For the Cocktail:

• 2 oz whipped cream or vanilla vodka (I used Smirnoff)

• 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Mr. Black)

• 1 oz fresh espresso (cooled to room temperature)

• Ice

For the Topping:

• 2-3 large marshmallows or 1 s'mores marshmallow

Equipment Needed

• Cocktail shaker

• Martini or coupe glass

• Kitchen torch

• Small plate for rimming

• Cocktail skewer or toothpick

Instructions

1. Prepare the Graham Cracker Rim

Mix the graham cracker crumbs on a small plate. Run chocolate syrup around the rim of your martini glass, then dip into the graham cracker mixture, rotating to coat evenly. Set aside.

2. Make the Espresso Martini

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the whipped cream vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.

3. Strain and Serve

Double-strain the cocktail into your prepared glass, being careful not to disturb the graham cracker rim.

4. Add the Marshmallow Crown

Thread 2-3 marshmallows onto a cocktail skewer. Hold them over the cocktail (don't let them touch the liquid yet) and use your kitchen torch to carefully toast the marshmallows, rotating to get an even golden-brown caramelization. You want that classic s'mores look with charred spots.

5. Final Touches

Once toasted, rest the skewer across the top of the glass.

Pro Tips for the Perfect S'mores Martini

Coffee is Key: Use freshly brewed espresso for the best flavor. If you don't have an espresso machine, strong cold brew concentrate works in a pinch.

Temperature Matters: Let your espresso cool to room temperature before shaking. Hot espresso will melt your ice too quickly and dilute the drink.

The Perfect Rim: For the best graham cracker rim, add gram crackers into a ziploc bag and pound with a meat mallet. Too chunky and they'll fall off; too powdery and they won't stick well.

Torching Technique: Keep the torch moving to avoid burning. You want caramelization, not carbonization! Hold the torch 3-4 inches from the marshmallow.

Make it Ahead: You can crush graham crackers and prep your rimmed glasses an hour or two in advance. Just mix the cocktails fresh when serving.

Variations to Try

Frothy S'mores Martini: Add creme de cocoa instead of whipped cream vodka for creamier, classic version and shake vigorously to get that classic foam.

Peppermint S'mores Martini: Add 0.5 oz peppermint schnapps and use crushed candy cane in the rim mixture.

Salted Caramel S'mores: Add a dash of sea salt to the graham cracker rim and drizzle caramel inside the glass before pouring.

White Chocolate S'mores: Substitute white crème de cacao and garnish with white chocolate shavings.

Non-Alcoholic Version: Use a non-alcoholic coffee liqueur substitute, omit the vodka, and add 1 oz of cream or oat milk for body.

Serving Suggestions

This cocktail is perfect for:

• Holiday parties and New Year's Eve celebrations

• Cozy winter nights by the fireplace

• Valentine's Day and date nights

• After-dinner dessert cocktails

• Friendsgiving or Christmas gatherings

Serve alongside gingerbread cookies, chocolate truffles, or other festive treats. The torching of the marshmallow is a great interactive element—consider setting up a "martini station" where guests can torch their own!

The Verdict

This Espresso S'mores Martini brings together everything we love about life: warmth, nostalgia, indulgence, and a touch of drama.

The combination of strong coffee, smooth chocolate, and that irresistible toasted marshmallow creates a multi-sensory experience that's as fun to make as it is to drink.

Whether you're hosting a crowd or treating yourself to something special, this elevated espresso martini proves that sometimes the best cocktails are the ones that remind us of simpler pleasures—like s'mores around a campfire—with a sophisticated twist.

Cheers to holiday magic in a glass!

Have you made this recipe? If so, share it on your social media and tag Rue's Global Kitchen so we can see how it came out!