The Freezer Bourbon Espresso

Behind the Bar: The Freezer Bourbon Espresso Martini We ALL Love

There are cocktails we like, cocktails we save for special occasions, and then… there are the cocktails we keep in the freezer because we know—deep in our souls—that we’ll want one at any given moment.

This Bourbon Espresso Martini has officially become that drink for us.

Not too sweet, perfectly smooth, and just the right hit of espresso to make you feel alive again, it’s the kind of pick-me-up you can serve at brunch, after dinner, during a wrapping marathon, or—let’s be honest—when your best friend texts “you home?” on a Tuesday.

Truth be told, we haven’t met a single friend who didn’t love this one. In fact, we may or may not have gotten a whole group very tipsy one afternoon with a freezer batch… purely in the name of research, of course.

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Why This Cocktail Works
    •    Balanced, not sugary – The bourbon’s warmth, the espresso’s bitterness, and the gentle kiss of coffee liqueur make this a grown-up espresso martini.
    •    Velvety texture – Shaking the single version or serving the freezer batch ice-cold gives that dreamy, frothy finish.
    •    Instant gratification – The freezer batch means the work is already done. Just shake the bottle and pour.
    •    Crowd-pleaser – Truly, we haven’t found a “nah, not for me” person yet.
    •    Flexible – Love vodka instead? Swap it! We especially love this recipe with Chopin Rye—clean, crisp, and stunning with espresso.

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Single Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:
    •    2.5 oz Breckenridge Honey Bourbon
    •    1 oz Black Rifle Espresso
    •    0.5 oz Mythology Coffee Liqueur
    •    0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1)

Instructions:
    1.    Brew espresso and let it cool briefly.
    2.    Shake all ingredients with ice until frothy.
    3.    Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

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Freezer Batch (Fills 1-Liter Bottle)

A total holiday hack: stash this in the freezer and you’re always 20 seconds away from a cocktail worthy of a celebration (or a meltdown—no judgment).

Add to a 1-liter bottle:
    •    2.5 cups bourbon (or Chopin Rye vodka!)
    •    1 cup espresso
    •    1/2 cup coffee liqueur
    •    1/2 cup simple syrup

Instructions:
    1.    Funnel everything into the bottle.
    2.    Shake well.
    3.    Freeze at least 4–6 hours.
    4.    Shake before pouring into chilled glasses.

Bonus: It won’t freeze solid — just turns beautifully cold and silky.

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Holiday Hosting Hack

Keep one in your freezer all season long:
Perfect for unexpected guests, late-night gift wrapping, snow-day lounging, and the occasional “in-laws just pulled up the driveway” emergency.

It’s the cocktail everyone loves, the one that never goes out of season, and the one that will absolutely get your friends a little tipsy if you’re not careful… not that we would know anything about that.