If You Love Espresso Martinis, You'll Want These 4 Bottles and Cans In Your Fridge

No shaker, no problem.

There comes a time in every cocktail’s rise (or re-rise) to fame, when the journey from bar menu to bottle (or can) seems like a lucrative plan at best and poorly executed at worst. While you’ve likely seen and tried your fair share of canned Margaritas and bottled Martinis, the Espresso Martini is a relatively newer addition to the ready-to-drink space.

If our previous experience in finding the best canned cocktails is any indication, not all of the options in this rapidly expanding category are equally balanced, delicious, and worth trying. We tasted as many ready-to-drink Espresso Martinis as we could order to find the best options that money can buy.

Best for making a boozy affogato: Straightaway Cocktails Nitro Espresso Martini

Did you know that if you pour any sort of alcohol (well, almost) over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the end result will be more delicious and joy-inducing? The Italians got it right with the affogato, which we often prefer to enjoy as an affogato martini. Next time we’re in the mood, we’ll be reaching for Portland, Oregon-based Straightaway Cocktails’ Nitro Espresso Martini, which packs just the right amount of sweetness and cola flavor. Made using Stumptown Cold Brew, it also got a nod from coffee purists on our team.

Best design and flavor combination: Via Carota Espresso Martini

When New York City’s beloved Italian spot Via Carota announced that it would be getting into the pre-packaged cocktail game, we knew it was going to be something special. With a silky smooth texture and bittersweet (but not too bitter) espresso notes shining through, this is an Espresso Martini that’ll appeal to anyone who likes the classic flavors in this cocktail. Plus, the art deco-style bottle is absolutely beautiful to display, and you don’t need to store it in the fridge after opening.

Best balance: Thomas Ashbourne Espresso Martini

Celebrity booze collaborations aren’t always a recipe for success (no pun intended), but our team can get behind this offering from Neil Patrick Harris and Thomas Ashbourne, which has beautiful vanilla notes that linger into a relatively smooth, clean finish. The small can size makes these easy to transport to a party, picnic, or dinner.

Best texture: XXI Espresso Martini

So you’re not an Espresso Martini purist — that’s okay! There’s still room for you in the ready-to-drink space, and XXI Martinis makes an incredibly indulgent, creamy riff on the cocktail. We’d compare it to Baileys Irish cream or even RumChata and love the rich, chocolate notes in every sip. The brand also offers peach and raspberry flavored Espresso Martinis, and while we can’t speak to those from our taste test, we’re definitely a little bit curious.

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