This year is the summer of espresso, period. From Sabrina Carpenter’s pop anthem to over-the-top coffee concoctions, Forget the sugary frappes and boring cold brews — the espresso martini is having a moment. This potent concoction is typically composed of coffee, vodka, and a dash of sweetness, making it the perfect pick-me-up for discerning drinkers. As a caffeine and cocktail enthusiast, I personally am loving the espresso martini trend for a more sophisticated buzz – but sometimes, I don’t feel like dropping $18 at a bar, whipping up my own mediocre cocktail, or, more realistically, leaving my house.
Now, you can forget the shaker and ditch the mess — canned and ready-to-drink espresso martinis are taking the beverage world by storm, offering a convenient and delicious way to enjoy this trendy cocktail. But with so many brands and flavors on the market, choosing the perfect one can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve taste-tested a wide range of canned espresso martinis to identify the champions of creamy consistency, robust coffee flavor, and the perfect balance of sweetness and boozy bite – whether you have money to burn or are ballin’ on a budget. Dive into our rankings and discover the canned espresso martini that will become your new go-to pick-me-up. Isn’t that sweet? We guess so.
To keep things fair, all drinks were served chilled, and shaken before pouring if the box/can/bottle advised it.
#SpoonTip: No matter what you’re drinking, always drink responsibly. Spoon does not promote binge or underage drinking.
Best Budget: Buzzballz ($3.79)
Clocking in at just $3.79 for 200mL, BuzzBallz Espresso Martini is a budget-friendly way to enjoy this sweet cocktail at home. This has no hard liquor (if that’s not your thing) and instead is made with premium vodka and coffee. The rich and aromatic java flavor shines through, with a little zing of booze thanks to the 15% ABV.
Best Splurge: Spark Plug ($21.99/4pk)
Even though it’s a tad pricier than other RTD multipacks, Spark Plug’s Espresso Martini delivers on delicious coffee flavor that’s well-balanced with premium vodka thanks to a hint of Madagascar vanilla. Each 200mL can is 20% ABV, with a smooth sip and robust notes of coffee that bring the elegance of a speakeasy espresso martini without breaking the bank (or leaving the couch).
Best Wine-Based: Loverboy ($19.99/4pk)
Don’t like hard liquor? Loverboy has you covered with a spirit-free take on the espresso martini. Made with orange wine, coffee extract, and non-dairy creamer, this RTD can has no added sugar (thanks to maple syrup) and is dairy-free – great for those of us with tummy troubles. My only complaint is the noticeable (but not terrible) aftertaste, which you don’t fully notice if you just…keep drinking it.
The Booziest: Crystal Head ($6.49/100mL Can
I could never sip this. Like, ever. That said, the coffee flavor was deliciously strong thanks to nitro-brewed coffee and was complemented by Crystal Head’s premium vodka mixed with flavors of chocolate and sweetened by agave. If I were to take an Espresso Martini “shot,” this would be it. Or, I’d dilute it with Bailey’s (or milk) if I wanted to sip on and savor this cocktail.
The Creamiest – Howie’s Spiked Alc-A-Chino’s Original Latte ($14.99/4pk)
If you prefer a latte over an Americano, then Alc-A-Chino — Howie’s Spiked’s — take on the espresso martini is for you. This rich, creamy can clocks in at 13% ABV and is a sweet innovation. I taste-tasted it with a couple of Canadians, who likened this bev to a “boozy Tim Horton’s latte,” and agreed that it’s a perfect dessert drink. Sounds pretty yummy, eh?
Best Coffee Flavor: On the Rocks ($9.99/375mL Bottle)
Black coffee drinkers, this one’s for you. On the Rock’s bottled Espresso Martini came in second for just about every category, including a steady second-place overall. It was booze-y but not too booze-y, coffee-forward but not so strong that you miss the booze, not too creamy or rich, and easily drinkable without being too weak or too overpowering. Simple ingredients of rich coffee liqueur and vodka let the espresso shine through in this martini.
Best Overall: Cutwater Espresso Martini ($12.99/4pk)
Made with Cutwater’s award-winning vodka, coffee cream liqueur, and cold brew coffee flavor, this delicious espresso martini was smooth, booze-y, and had the perfect coffee flavor – all for $3.25 per can. This budget-friendly RTD not only tastes delicious, it’s a refreshing cocktail that’s easy to drink with the perfect amount of booze at 13% ABV. TBH, it would be hard to beat the price, alcohol content, smoothness, and overall flavor of Cutwater’s Espresso Martini.