The espresso martini is one of the most popular cocktails in town at the moment, but it isn’t anything new. According to Taste Cocktails, the drink was concocted in London in the 1980s when a fashion model asked bartender Dick Bradsell to create a drink that would both “wake me up and f**k me up.” The result was a vodka cocktail made with coffee liqueur and espresso.
The cocktail has sprouted countless variations since, with traditional iterations garnished with three coffee beans symbolizing health, wealth, and happiness. Espresso martinis have seen quite the resurgence across the country in the past couple of years, most likely due to Americans’ love affair with coffee.
Houston has an abundance of bars and restaurants where you can sip on the perfect espresso martini. When plans for a late night are calling, consider this list featuring classic and crazy varieties of the caffeinated favorite.
Provare
This Italian-Creole restaurant comes from chef-owner Jourdan Higgs, a former contestant on Gordan Ramsay’s Food Stars. He launched Provare in Chicago in 2021 and expanded to Houston this summer. Many of Provare’s cocktails are named based on local neighborhoods, as in the Bellaire, made with ube, Hennessy, simple syrup, and espresso. It’s a unique twist on the standard. 5102 Washington Ave., Houston, provarerestaurants.com/houston
Maison Chinoise
This restaurant from Lombardi Family Concepts is a newbie in Houston, located in theRiver Oaks Shopping Center. Its pandan espresso martini is made with Infinity vodka from the Champagne region of France, plus borghetti, espresso, and pandan. It’s a perfect finale to a shared dinner of peking duck and dim sum.1958 W. Gray St., Houston, maisonchinoiserestaurants.com/htx-locations
Bari Ristorante
The espresso martini may have been created in London, but espresso itself originated in Italy, and is an important part of its coffee and social cultures. At Bari, there is a lengthy list of after dinner drinks, but guests won’t want to miss out on the espresso martini, made with Suntory Haku vodka, espresso, and Kahlua. It gets extra lusciousness from chocolate Bailey’s Irish Cream and Frangelico. Look forward to a new Bari location opening in the Woodlands in 2026. 4444 Westheimer Rd., Houston, bariristorante.co
Plume
This Heights cocktail lounge is gilded and glamorous, transporting guests to the golden age of Hollywood with velvet upholstery and an illuminated bar. Its espresso martini is classic, with the added herbal touch of Averna amaro, plus an especially foamy top. During happy hour, this bestseller is $10, and from 3 to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s only $6. We can’t think of a better way to get the weekend started. 1100 W. 23rd St., Houston, plumehtx.com
Brasserie 19
What makes the St. George’s Martini at Brasserie 19 stand out is the use of St. George’s NOLA coffee liqueur. It’s made with Yirgacheffe beans from Ethiopia, French chicory root, Madagascar vanilla beans, and organic cane sugar. Combined with Grey Goose vodka, espresso, and Licor 43, it’s a posh cocktail to enjoy while people-watching. 1962 W. Gray St., Houston, brasserie19.com
Clarkwood
The espresso martini at this chic Montrose-area cocktail lounge sticks to the basics with vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso. It’s become a favorite for its extra-frothy top, plus a toasted marshmallow garnish. For nosh, Clarkwood features charcuterie boards and a luxe caviar service. 3201 Allen Pkwy., Houston, clarkwoodhtx.com
Brennan’s
At this elegant New Orleans-inspired restaurant, guests can enjoy a classic espresso martini, or opt for a peppermint bark variation. Made with Reyka vodka, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and peppermint bark RumChata, it’s best enjoyed as a digestif after a leisurely dinner of Cajun comforts. Or, simply grab a few pals and enjoy multiple martinis in the cozy, newly designed courtyard bar. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennanshouston.com
Caracol
Hugo Ortega’s Uptown restaurant is a love letter to coastal Mexican cuisine, and it’s got a fantastic cocktail selection to go with the food. Among them is the Ollita Martini. In keeping with the Mexican theme, the martini is made with cafe de olla espresso, Kahlua, and reposado tequila. It gets a bit of sweetness from Licor 43, and a hit of Irish charm from chocolate Bailey’s. The cocktail is decadent enough to have as dessert, but you’ll still want the tres leches. 2200 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, caracol.net
Double Trouble Caffeine and Cocktails
This quirky coffee shop and bar draws in all types of folks, from artists and musicians to those on the hunt for the perfect rockabilly shirt at nearby shop, My Flaming Heart. Double Trouble serves locally-roasted Greenway Coffee, which it uses for its large selection of coffee cocktails. Espresso martinis include the citrus-flavored Double Agent, the creamy Irish Coffee, and the K.I.S.S. Cocktail, made with Kentucky bourbon, Frangelico, and a cinnamon star.3622 Main St., Houston, doubletroublehouston.com
Zaranda
The latest concept from James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega opened this year, adjacent to Discovery Green in Downtown. The views of the green space and lush oak trees are visible through the restaurant’s large glass windows, creating a treehouse-like atmoshphere. The chocolate espresso martini was created by Zaranda’s Bar Manager, Carlos “Chino” Serrano, and is made with vodka, chocolate liqueur, half and half, and house-made cookie butter syrup. The bar uses coffee sourced from Chiapas, Mexico for its espresso base. 1550 Lamar St., Houston, zarandahouston.com
d’Alba Craft Kitchen & Cocktails
This quintessential neighborhood restaurant has three Houston-area locations in Garden Oaks, Midtown, and the Woodlands. There are two espresso-fueled cocktails on its menu including a martini made with illy espresso, Finlandia vodka, and St. George’s NOLA; and the Infused Carajillo, made with Don Q cacao infusion and Licor 43. Multiple locations, dalbahtx.com
Maven Coffee + Cocktails
With Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. as one of its partners, Maven has expanded from being a local coffee brand to operating a concept at the Thompson Hotel, a full-service restaurant at Sawyer Yards, plus kiosks inside Daikin Park and Toyota Center. The Maven Carajillo, made with the Maven cold brew, espresso, Licor 43, vanilla, and orange liqueur, is served at all of its brick and mortar locations. Alternatively, the Maven Shakerato is made with Maven cold brew and Amaro blend, giving it a more bitter and herbal flavor. At the stadium locations, find frozen espresso martinis at stadium prices. Multiple locations, mavenhouston.com
Permission Whiskey
Though this lounge has an extensive whiskey library, it also delivers excellent cocktails for non-whiskey aficionados. Its espresso martini uses Weber Ranch vodka, which is distilled from the blue agave plant. It also incorporates Mr. Black cold brew coffee liqueur, espresso, and Bailey’s Irish Cream, for a heady boost of caffeine.2020 White Oak Dr., Houston, permissionwhiskey.com
Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge’s espresso martini is a rich, irresistible blend that fits right in with the restaurant’s warm, cabin-style charm. Made with Grey Goose vodka, bold espresso, and a splash of Herencia tequila, it’s as potent as it is tasty—so sip carefully. 2011 Ella Blvd., Houston, rainbow-lodge.com
Melrose
Inspired by Tulum and its nearby cenotes, this sculpturally stunning cocktail bar is like a hidden cavern, filled with stylish people. Its Espresso’tini maintains the Mexican theme by using reposado tequila, along with flavors of vanilla and cinnamon. For a quick burst of caffeine, try the carajillo shot, with Licor 43, espresso, orange, and cacao. 2517 Ralph St., Houston, melrosehtx.com
Del Frisco’s Grille
This Landry’s concept recently launched its “It Girl Dinner”, a play on the viral TikTok trend, which features a $25 meal including a choice of three martinis. One of them is the hazelnut espresso martini made with Ketel One vodka, Caffe Borghetti, hazelnut, and espresso. The martini can also be ordered a la carte. 1900 Hughes Landing Blvd., The Woodlands, delfriscosgrille.com
Axelrad Beer Garden
Though it’s known for its wide array of beer, this sprawling patio bar also has killer cocktails. The Spill the Chai cocktail is a creative take on the espresso martini, which uses cold brew and chai tea-infused rum. It gets some sweetness from Licor 43 and raw turbinado sugar, and is the perfect beverage to sip while swinging on one of the bar’s outdoor hammocks. 1517 Alabama St., Houston, axelradhouston.com
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
While many people think of mimosas and Bloody Marys for brunch, espresso martinis can serve as an eye-opening choice, and the one at Snooze is especially delicious. It’s crafted with vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur, and made even more indulgent with Irish cream liqueur, half and half, and vanilla syrup. It’s a creamy accompaniment to a Denver omelet or one of the restaurant’s many eggs Benedict varieties. Multiple locations, snoozeeatery.com
Eberhard Social House
This new hotspot from the Kirby Group (Wooster’s Garden, Heights Biergarten, Bayou Heights Biergarten) recently debuted at the Harlow District in Montrose and features a striking two-level space to enjoy cocktails and socializing. Its espresso martini uses tequila instead of vodka, and incorporates a little bit of cane sugar for a touch of sweetness. 1216 W. Gray St., Houston, eberhardhtx.com
Jethro’s
Though National Espresso Martini Day has passed, this Montrose cocktail lounge is keeping its specialty espresso martinis on the menu for now. The Smooth Criminal is a sweet concoction of Oreo-infused Tito’s vodka, cookies and cream syrup, Frangelico, espresso, Licor 43, and cold foam. There is also an espresso-based tropical version, Cafe con Ron, made with plantain-infused barrel rum and plantain puree. Don’t leave without trying the smashburger. 95 Tuam St., Houston, jethroshouston.com
Wild
This hemp-centric coffee and cocktail lounge has two locations, in the Heights and in Montrose. Each has a dispensary for hemp-related products, and the bar serves hemp elixirs enhanced with THC or CBD. The espresso martinis vary at each location. The Montrose version is made with Kahlua, Licor 43 and ocean tincture, while the one at the Heights store is created with Absolut vanilla, Five Farms Irish Cream, and sea salt. The Heights cafe also has an espresso-based drink, Glazed and Confused, made with dark rum, St. George’s NOLA, and Godova chocolate liqueur. Multiple locations, wildconcepts.com
Fielding’s River Oaks
Fielding’s Espresso-tini elevates the standard by adding Stoli vanilla vodka, Nikka Coffey vodka, RumChata, Mozart chocolate cream, Luxardo espresso liqueur, and house-made vanilla syrup to Fielding’s fresh-brewed espresso. Pecan lovers will relish the nutty flavors of the Pecan Pie version, with pecan-infused vodka and maple syrup. 3750 Westheimer Rd., Houston, fieldings.com
Succulent
As its name suggests, this farm to table restaurant bursts with greenery, warm woods, and delicious food. Its dessert cocktail list features several espresso drinks including a classic espresso martini and an illy carajillo. Try the Nutty by Nature, which is served in a glass rimmed with crushed pistachios and made with freshly-brewed espresso, matcha milk, and Licor 43. 1180 Dunlavy St., Houston, succulentfinedining.com
