Chili’s Espresso Martini

Elevate your home cocktail game with this Chili’s Espresso Martini made with smooth reposado tequila, spiced rum, fizzy espresso mixer, and sweet agave nectar.

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What makes the Chilis Espresso Martini so good? 

This South-of-the-border twist on the classic Espresso Martini was inspired by the version of the drink served at Chili’s. Instead of the typical vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup, Chili’s uses reposado tequila, spiced rum agave nectar, and a fizzy Espresso Mixer for a sweet and slightly spicy cocktail.

Since the reposado tequila rests for a few months after distilling, it lacks the bite of young tequilas and goes well with coffee flavors and the mild heat of the spiced rum. It’s a surprisingly well-balanced drink you really need to try. 

Why you will love making this espresso martini at home

Unless you live near a Chili’s restaurant (and there seems to be fewer and fewer of them around), if you want to try this drink, you’re going to have to mix one up yourself. But you can do it, even if you don’t have an expensive espresso machine or any espresso machine at all.

That’s because this copycat Chili’s Espresso Martini recipe opts for Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix in a can! It makes serving up a delicious Espresso Martini (and a lot of other cocktails) so much easier wherever you are!

Chili’s Espresso Martini ingredients

For this copy tequila Espresso Martini, you’ll need:

• Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix
• Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 
• Lunazul Reposado Tequila 
• Agave Syrup 
• Ice 
• Espresso coffee beans 

Ingredient notes

Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix. Conveniently sold in four-ounce cans that are nitro-infused for added sparkle and extra creaminess, Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix’s fat-free and dairy-free mixer will take your next Martini Espresso to the next level of yum!

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. This is the standard choice when it comes to spiced rums, and although it is not a top-shelf rum, it works well in this drink. Captain Morgan is 35% ABV and tastes slightly of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove without being cloyingly sweet. Of course, there are higher quality options (like Don Q Oak Barrel Spiced), but for the price and the amount needed for this cocktail, it will definitely do. 

Lunazul Reposado Tequila. After waking from a short rest in barrels, Lunazul Reposado Tequila has a mellower flavor with intense cooked agave, pepper, and oak notes. There is a touch of caramel and vanilla, but this is not an overly sweet spirit, and at 40% ABV, it’s an ideal addition to this cocktail.

How to make an Espresso Martini with Tequila and Spiced Rum

To mix Chili’s Tequila Espresso Martini recipe:

1. Fill a martini glass with ice and leave it on the counter to chill while you make the rest of the drink. 
2. Add Owen’s Espresso Martini Mix, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Lunazul Reposado Tequila, and Agave Syrup to a cocktail shaker. 
3. Fill the cocktail shaker three-quarters full of ice.

4. Cover the shaker and shake hard until the outside of the shaker is ice-cold, about 30 seconds. 
5. Dump the ice out of the martini glass and strain the mixed cocktail into the chilled martini glass. 
6. Garnish with three espresso beans and serve. 

What to serve with an Espresso Martini with tequila

Why not pair your tequila Espresso Martini with a few snacks like these?

Spiced Pecans. When you need a nibble that works for both casual snacking as well as for a sophisticated cocktail party, it’s tough to beat; try Spiced Pecans. These nuts are coated in sugar, cinnamon, and a variety of other spices and then lightly toasted in the oven until they develop a crispy coating. These nuts are delicious, warm, or at room temperature. 

Wonton Jalapeno Poppers. If you are already taking this Martini Espresso south of the border, why not head to the Far East with this classic app makeover? Wonton Jalapeno Poppers are filled with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and chopped jalapenos and then fried to a golden brown. Serve these Jalapeno Poppers with your favorite creamy dipping sauce.

Arancini.  These fried balls of rice are loaded with mozzarella, ham, salami, and pepperoni, rolled in bread crumbs, and then fried to a golden brown. This very popular dish on the menu at many Italian-American restaurants is known as Arancini. Arancini can be pretty big and are typically served with a bowl of fresh marinara sauce on the side. But shrinking the balls down to bite-sized and serving them on a tasting spoon with a little marinara sauce makes for a much more classy presentation.

More copycat Chili’s recipes

• Big Mouth Bites
• Cajun Pasta
• Chicken Crispers
• Presidente Margarita
• Roasted Street Corn
• Skillet Queso
• Southwest Chicken Soup

Favorite martini recipes

• Caramel Apple Martini
• Coconut Martini
• Key Lime Martini
• Lemon Drop Martini
• Mango Martini
• Washington Apple Martini

Check out more of my delicious and easy cocktail recipes and the best copycat Chili’s recipes on CopyKat!