Atlanta has never done anything halfway, and the espresso martini revival is no exception. Bartenders across the city are ditching the well vodka and bottled Kahlúa in favor of local cold brew, house-made liqueurs, and enough creativity to make this ’90s staple feel brand new.
We did the (extremely caffeinated) research, so you don’t have to. Here are the best espresso martinis in the city right now.
James Room
This Edgewood speakeasy-style lounge uses its own house espresso blend as the base, giving the drink a distinctly different coffee character than what you’d get from a standard shot. The “Espresso En Noir” pairs James Room espresso with Ketel One vodka and Amaro Averna—the amaro adds a bitter, herbal edge that keeps it from going sweet. It’s a more complex, grown-up pour, and it fits the room perfectly. 661 Auburn Ave. NE, Ste. 280, Atlanta, thejamesroom.com
Yebo Beach Haus
At this South African-inspired Buckhead staple, the espresso martini comes frozen, and that one twist changes everything. It’s served intensely cold without going slushy, landing somewhere between a cocktail and a coffee-forward dessert. Regulars swear by it as a pre-dinner order, though many note its surprising strength. 56 E. Andrews Dr. NW, Unit 7, Atlanta, yebobeachhaus.com
Yeppa
Yeppa & Co. already had Buckhead hooked on its espresso martini, and the secret is in the build: both Borghetti and Mr. Black in the same glass, a double liqueur pull that delivers a depth of coffee flavor most bars in the city simply aren’t matching. It leans sweet, making it a natural closer after an indulgent meal. Then came the tower. For $99, you get 12 cocktails served in a dramatic tiered carrier—the go-to move for big nights out at this Italian hotspot. Multiple locations, yeppaco.com
Yalda
At this Persian-inspired spot with locations in West Midtown and Sandy Springs, you’ve got two espresso martini options: the classic, built with Spring 44 vodka and fresh espresso, or Yalda’s signature version, which swaps in Papa’s Pilar rum and demerara syrup for a richer, warmer finish. They’re $2 apart in price but miles apart in personality. Order the classic if you want familiar, order Yalda’s if you want to know what the bar is actually about. Multiple locations, yaldaatl.com
Tiny Lou’s
At this Michelin-recognized brasserie below the Hotel Clermont, the espresso martini is built on Castle & Key vodka, a Kentucky craft spirit that brings more character to the glass than the generic pours most bars default to. With an ounce of fresh espresso and a touch of demerara for balance, it’s a cleaner, more restrained take than you’ll find elsewhere on this list. The pink-hued dining room makes a compelling argument for staying longer than planned. 789 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, tinylous.com
Vesper
At this Bond-themed BeltLine cocktail lounge in Glenwood Park, the espresso martini is listed simply as the “May Day”—Smirnoff vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of real espresso, kept deliberately unfussy at $13. It’s one of the more approachable pours on this list. The mid-century modern room, jewel-toned interiors, and a menu full of 007 character names do the heavy lifting. 924 Garrett St., Ste. D, Atlanta, vesperatl.com
Bar ANA
Tucked in the basement of El Ponce, this late-night dessert and cocktail bar is helmed by two-time James Beard nominee Claudia Martinez and bartender Mayim Williams. The Café Correcto matches the ambition of the space—mezcal, tequila reposado, vermouth, and sambuca build a smoky, complex base that has more in common with a digestif than a standard espresso martini. Come for the cocktail; stay for the desserts. 939 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, baranaatl.com
Burle’s Bar
Bar director Andrew Selvagn didn’t set out to put an espresso martini on the menu, but customers kept ordering one anyway, and eventually he gave in. The result is one of the more creative builds in the city: house-made cold brew instead of espresso, and a coconut fat-washed tequila that adds a subtle and pleasant creaminess. A sprinkle of fresh nutmeg adds a fragrant finish. 505 N Angier Ave. NE, Ste. 500, Atlanta, burlesbar.com
The Reading Room
The Affogato Espresso Martini is exactly what it sounds like and better than you’d expect: rum, coffee brandy, and Luxardo, finished with an ice cream float that turns it into a dessert and a cocktail all at once. Regulars swear by the Luxardo cherry garnish as the finishing touch. 429 Church St., Decatur, thereadingroomatl.com
Avize
At this Michelin-recommended West Midtown Alpine restaurant from chef Karl Gorline, the espresso martini is where the kitchen’s philosophy spills into the glass. The Espresso Piemonte pairs agave vodka, espresso, and fortified wine with a topping of Comté cheese foam and a dusting of mint powder. It sounds like a dare. It isn’t. The cheese foam adds a savory, nutty edge that makes every other version feel one-dimensional. Order it last. 956 Brady Ave. NW, Atlanta, avizeatlanta.com
Fawn Wine and Amaro Bar
Chef Terry Koval, a James Beard Award winner, built this intimate Decatur wine and amaro bar around serious drinking. The espresso martini is proof of concept. Most bars use one amaro for complexity. Fawn uses four: Amaro Nardini, Amaro Lucano, Bigallet China China, and Foro Amaro are layered with espresso liqueur and fresh Counter Culture Coffee espresso. If you’ve never understood what amaro can do to a cocktail, Fawn is the place to find out. 119 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, fawnwineamaro.com
Ela
At this pan-Mediterranean spot in Virginia-Highland, the Turkish Frost earns its name. Built with rum, brandy, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, Meletti amaro, and baharat (a fragrant Middle Eastern spice blend), it lands among Atlanta’s most adventurous espresso martinis. Almond milk replaces cream, keeping it lighter than expected. At $14, it’s also one of the city’s best values. Order it frozen, the way the bar intended. 1186 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, ela-atlanta.com
Kitty Dare
At this Reynoldstown bar, owner Jaamy names every cocktail after an important woman in his life, which tells you something about how seriously he takes what he puts on the menu. Maria’s Espresso Martini is built on Big Five Cafecito Cuban Rum, a spirit made to evoke Cuban coffee culture, with fresh espresso, half-and-half, simple syrup, and black walnut bitters rounding it out. It’s richer and more grounded than most versions, and the bitters keep it from ever tipping sweet. 1029 Edgewood Ave. NE, kittydare.com
Bizarre Coffee
Bizarre Coffee built its reputation on drinks that don’t play by the rules, so it tracks that the Roswell location’s cocktail menu follows suit. The Cini Vanilli pairs cinnamon-infused Tito’s with espresso, espresso liqueur, and a housemade vanilla syrup, threading warm spice and real vanilla through every sip. It’s only available at the newly opened Alpharetta Street outpost, which makes the trip to Downtown Roswell a little sweeter. 1090 Alpharetta St., Roswell, bizarrecoffee.com
