Ketel One Espresso Martini 375ML

Ketel One Espresso Martini 375ML is a 20% ABV ready-to-drink cocktail combining Ketel One Vodka with cold brew coffee liqueur and simple sugar. This 375ml bottling earned a 93-point score from Daily Pour, placing it among the top-rated RTD espresso martinis on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 20% (40 Proof)  |  Origin: Schiedam, Netherlands  |  Ready-to-Drink Cocktail  |  Distillery: Nolet Distillery

Production & Heritage

The Nolet family has operated their distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands, for over 325 years, making it one of the longest-running distilling operations in the world. The Ketel One Vodka at the heart of this cocktail is distilled from 100% wheat in traditional copper pot stills and filtered over loose charcoal — a process that yields a notably clean, crisp spirit. For this RTD expression, that vodka is married with cold brew coffee liqueur and a measure of simple sugar, creating a bar-quality espresso martini straight from the bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Roasted espresso leads immediately, followed by layers of dark chocolate and a subtle undercurrent of dried fruit. The coffee character is assertive without becoming acrid, reflecting the quality of the cold brew component.

Taste: The palate opens with bold black coffee and transitions into bittersweet dark chocolate at mid-palate. A thread of vanilla sugar adds body without tipping into cloying sweetness, while a fleeting orange note surfaces toward the peak and adds unexpected complexity.

Finish: Smooth and chocolatey, with lingering espresso bitterness that balances the residual sweetness. The finish is medium in length with a silky texture that holds together well as it fades.

How to Drink the Ketel One Espresso Martini

Chill the bottle thoroughly and shake vigorously with ice before straining into a coupe or martini glass — shaking creates the signature crema foam that defines a proper espresso martini. Garnish with three coffee beans for the traditional presentation.

• Affogato Twist: Pour over a small scoop of vanilla gelato for a dessert-cocktail hybrid that amplifies the coffee and chocolate notes.
• Espresso Martini Float: Top a chilled pour with a splash of Guinness Nitro Cold Brew for added texture and roasted depth.
• Black Russian Riff: Serve over ice in a rocks glass with a dash of chocolate bitters to lean into the dark cocoa character.

Best For

• Hosting a dinner party where a polished after-dinner drink is needed without bartending
• Stocking a home bar for quick, high-quality cocktails on weeknights
• Gifting a coffee-obsessed friend who also appreciates well-made spirits
• Bringing to a small gathering as a ready-to-serve conversation starter

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Ketel One Espresso Martini taste like? It delivers bold, assertive espresso flavor layered with dark chocolate and a subtle orange accent, balanced by a measured sweetness from simple sugar and a smooth, silky finish.

How does the Ketel One Espresso Martini compare to On The Rocks Espresso Martini? Both are bottled at 20% ABV, but the Ketel One version is built on a 100% wheat vodka distilled in copper pot stills, giving it a noticeably cleaner, crisper base spirit. On The Rocks uses EFFEN Vodka and espresso coffee liqueur, which produces a slightly different flavor balance with less complexity in the chocolate and citrus range.

Is the Ketel One Espresso Martini good for casual entertaining? It is one of the most convenient options for serving a quality espresso martini at home — simply chill, shake with ice, and strain into glasses with no additional ingredients required.

Where is the Ketel One Espresso Martini made? It is produced at the Nolet Distillery in Schiedam, Netherlands, where the Nolet family has been distilling spirits since 1691.

What foods pair well with the Ketel One Espresso Martini? Tiramisu mirrors the coffee and cocoa notes directly. Dark chocolate truffles complement the bittersweet palate. Mascarpone cheesecake echoes the vanilla sugar sweetness. Almond biscotti adds a toasty contrast to the espresso character. Orange-glazed duck brings out the subtle citrus accent in the cocktail.

What sizes does the Ketel One Espresso Martini come in? The standard format is 375ml, which yields approximately two to three generously poured martinis.

Is the Ketel One Espresso Martini worth the price? It positions as a premium RTD cocktail, justified by the use of Ketel One Vodka as its base spirit and a 93-point score from Daily Pour — it sits above most mass-market competitors in both ingredient quality and critical reception.

Why Ketel One Espresso Martini?

The single biggest advantage this RTD holds over its competitors is the base spirit. Ketel One Vodka, distilled from wheat in copper pot stills at a distillery with over three centuries of history, provides a foundation that most ready-to-drink cocktails simply cannot replicate. That clean, refined vodka allows the cold brew coffee liqueur to express its full range — from roasted espresso through dark chocolate to orange peel — without the harshness that lesser spirits introduce. A 93-point rating from Daily Pour confirms what the glass reveals: this is a genuinely well-constructed cocktail that happens to come in a bottle.