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ByJoanne Stekler
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These Frozen Espresso Martinis are a co*cktail granita inspired by my creamy espresso martini with Baileys Irish cream. I was playing with frozen co*cktails for my 52 weeks of co*cktails challenge and became enamored with making granita co*cktails for weeks in a row. These espresso martini granitas are a refreshing frozen co*cktail that you’ll find super easy to make when it’s unbelievably hot outside.
Read on for all the tips and tricks for how to making a frozen espresso martini like a granita. Or hit the Jump to Recipe button, grab your spoon, and let’s make frozen espresso martinis without a blender!
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- Ingredients
- Variations and substitutions
- Recipe tips and tricks
- Other co*cktail granita ideas
- Recipe FAQs
- Related co*cktail recipes
- Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Ingredients
![Frozen Espresso Martinis (2) Frozen Espresso Martinis (2)](https://i0.wp.com/uglyducklingbakery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/frozen-espresso-mart.jpg)
The classic espresso martini is made with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. Just like the creamy co*cktail that inspired it, this espresso martini granita adds Baileys Irish cream for a creamier frozen espresso martini.
Please don’t sub in heavy cream if you don’t have Baileys. In recipe testing, the version of this frozen co*cktail I made with whipping cream had a coarse, icy texture like cheap ice cream.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and substitutions
- Use a flavored vodka like vanilla.
- Sub Frangelico for the coffee liqueur.
Recipe tips and tricks
Granita is a semi-frozen, Italian dessert originating from Italy that is traditionally made with coffee, lemon, or fruit juice. It’s not smooth like gelato or ice cream but has a light, crystalline texture.
Making a frozen co*cktail in the granita style instead of blending it with ice has few key advantages:
- No blender: You pour liquid ingredients into a pan in the freezer.
- Flavor: When you blend a co*cktail with ice, all that ice over dilutes the co*cktail. Granita, on the other hand, preserves the full intensity of the co*cktail because the mixture is frozen without additional ice.
- Texture: The ideal granita co*cktail has a delicate, crystalline consistency that feels more refined and tastes different as you spoon it onto your tongue.
To make the frozen espresso martinis, transfer the prepared co*cktail mixture into a shallow metal baking dish. This lets the granita mixture freeze evenly and is easy to scrape.
Place the dish in the freezer for about 30 to 45 minutes until the edges start to freeze. Use a fork or silicone spatula to scrape the ice from around the edges and mix it into the center.
Return the dish to the freezer and continue to scrape the mixture every 30 minutes to an hour, breaking up the ice into smaller crystals each time. The whole process will take about 3 to 4 hours, depending on the mixture and freezer.
Serve your frozen espresso martini granitas in chilled martini glasses or small bowls. The chilling will help slow the frozen co*cktail from melting.
Other co*cktail granita ideas
You can turn many other co*cktails into granitas. Because alcohol has a lower freezing point than water, the key is an alcohol ratio of about 2:1 mixer to spirit for the frozen co*cktail to freeze, but not too quickly, and get that crystal structure. Of course, every freezer and every co*cktail is different, so you may need play around a bit.
This Moscow Mule granita had the perfect texture with 2 ounces of vodka, 3 ounces of ginger beer, 1 ounce of simple syrup, and a half ounce of fresh squeezed lime juice. I have found, making granita co*cktails all summer, that I prefer the frozen co*cktail with a little extra sweetness.
![Frozen Espresso Martinis (3) Frozen Espresso Martinis (3)](https://i0.wp.com/uglyducklingbakery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/granita-moscow-mule.jpg)
Tips for specific co*cktails:
- Citrus-Based Sours: Drinks like margaritas or mojitos work well as granitas. Consider adding a bit of lime or lemon zest.
- Highball co*cktails: Highball co*cktails like gin and tonics, champagne co*cktails, or spritzes that rely on carbonation will lose their fizz, but otherwise work well.
Recipe FAQs
Why do you use a fork to make granita?
The fork is supposed to give your granita its signature flaky texture, breaking up the ice into small, delicate crystals.
Can I make these frozen espresso martinis ahead of time?
Absolutely! One of the great things about granita is that it can be made in advance. Simply prepare the mixture, let it freeze, and scrape it with a fork to fluff just before serving.
Are there any co*cktails that can’t be turned into a co*cktail granita?
Like in my experience, co*cktails with dairy will become grainy with frozen, although non-dairy alternatives might work better. Short co*cktails with a very high alcohol content, such as a dry martini or Negroni or Manhattan may not freeze well due to the low freezing point of alcohol. And skip the egg you’d put in a sour co*cktail (or use meringue powder for the flavor and texture).
Check out other refreshing co*cktail recipes from the Ugly Duckling Bakery archives, like:
- Elderflower Collins
- Aperol Negroni
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned
- Aperol Soda
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-heart 💜💜💜💜💜 rating in the recipe card below. Let me know how much you loved it, or any problems you had, in the comments section further down.
Recipe
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Frozen Espresso Martinis
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Category: Drinks
Cuisine: Unspecified
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Freezing time: 3 hours hours
Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 356kcal
Author: Joanne Stekler
These Frozen Espresso Martinis are a co*cktail granita inspired by my creamy espresso martini with Baileys Irish cream. These espresso martini granitas are a refreshing frozen co*cktail that you'll find super easy to make when it's crazy hot outside.
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2.0 ounces espresso or strong coffee
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 1.0 ounces coffee liqueur like Kahlua
- 1.0 ounces Baileys Irish cream
- 0.5 ounces simple syrup agave or honey
- 3 chocolate covered espresso beans optional garnish
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients for the frozen espresso martini, then pour them into a shallow metal pan and put it into the freezer.
2.0 ounces espresso or strong coffee, 1.5 ounces vodka, 1.0 ounces coffee liqueur, 1.0 ounces Baileys Irish cream, 0.5 ounces simple syrup
After about 30 to 45 minutes, use a fork or silicone spatula to scrape the frozen bits of co*cktail off the sides and bottom of the pan. Return the pan to the freezer.
Repeat every 30 to 60 minutes or so, scraping the outside of the pan, until the whole mixture is made of fine crystals.
When ready to serve, chill a coupe or martini glass. Stir one last time and gingerly scoop the frozen espresso martini mixture into your glass.
Garnish with chocolate covered espresso beans, if desired, and serve.
3 chocolate covered espresso beans
Notes
Feel free to substitute a flavored vodka or sub Frangelico for the coffee liqueur. But please do not sub heavy cream for the Baileys Irish cream in this frozen espresso martini, or your co*cktail granita will have an unappealing grainy texture.
Check out the post for suggestions for other granita co*cktails!
Nutrition
Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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