BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini: The Complete Guide for Coffee Lovers
BrewDog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is one of the most talked-about ready-to-drink cocktails to hit UK supermarket shelves in recent years, and if you’re a home barista who takes espresso seriously, it deserves your full attention. This isn’t just another canned cocktail — it’s a carefully constructed RTD drink that uses real Arabica coffee and BrewDog Distilling’s own Abstrakt vodka, delivering a coffee experience that sits somewhere between a craft cocktail bar and your home espresso setup.
We’ve spent time with this product, comparing it against homemade espresso martini recipes, testing it with different serving methods, and digging into the ingredients list so you know exactly what you’re getting. Whether you’re curious about the ABV, the flavour profile, or where to buy it, this guide covers everything.
What Exactly Is BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini?
The Product Overview and Key Specifications
At its core, brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is a shake-and-serve canned cocktail with a 14% ABV — strong enough to feel like a proper cocktail, not a watered-down supermarket compromise. The can contains a blend of BrewDog’s Abstrakt vodka, Arabica coffee, and orange liqueur, all pre-measured and pre-mixed to deliver consistency every single time you crack one open.
The brand describes it as “rich and decadent,” and that tracks. You get the bitterness of espresso, the warmth of vodka, and a citrus chocolate finish that’s distinctly Terry’s Chocolate Orange in character — but without being cloying or artificial. It’s a genuine flavour combination that works.
The 14% ABV is worth noting because it puts brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini firmly in the same ballpark as a standard cocktail you’d order at a bar. Most RTD canned cocktails sit between 4% and 10%, so this product is genuinely punchy and should be treated accordingly.
The Wonderland Cocktails Range Context
This product sits within BrewDog’s broader Wonderland Cocktails range, which launched and rapidly scaled to over 6,000 new distribution points across the UK off-trade within its first year. That kind of retail penetration is remarkable and signals serious consumer demand for premium RTD cocktails that use quality coffee as a base ingredient.
The range includes other cocktail variants, but the chocolate orange espresso martini has become a standout product — partly because the espresso martini itself is the UK’s most popular cocktail according to The Spirits Business, and partly because the chocolate orange twist is genuinely clever seasonal positioning.
Ingredients Breakdown: What Goes Into BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini?
Abstrakt Vodka and Arabica Coffee
The foundation of brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is Abstrakt vodka — BrewDog Distilling’s own spirit, distilled in Scotland and known for its clean, neutral character that lets other flavours lead. This is exactly what you want in an espresso martini base: vodka that doesn’t fight the coffee, it supports it.
The Arabica coffee used here matters more than casual drinkers might realise. Arabica beans have a naturally lower bitterness and higher acidity than Robusta, producing a smoother coffee flavour with subtle fruit notes. For a chocolate orange cocktail, that inherent brightness in Arabica coffee complements the orange liqueur rather than clashing with it.
As home baristas, we know that Arabica quality varies enormously depending on origin and roast level. BrewDog hasn’t publicly specified the exact origin or roast profile of the coffee used, which is a minor frustration — but the flavour in the can suggests a medium to dark roast with good body and low acidity.
Orange Liqueur and the Chocolate Element
The orange liqueur component is what separates brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini from a standard espresso martini. Orange liqueurs like triple sec or Cointreau-style products bring citrus oils and sweetness that cut through espresso bitterness beautifully. Combined with the cocoa notes that naturally exist in many Arabica coffees, the chocolate impression is created as much through ingredient synergy as through any added chocolate flavouring.
This is a more sophisticated approach than simply dumping chocolate syrup into a coffee cocktail, and it shows. The result is a layered flavour that evolves as you drink it — citrus upfront, coffee in the middle, and a lingering cocoa finish.
Where to Buy BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini and How Much It Costs
Retail Availability Across the UK
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini launched as a Sainsbury’s exclusive in September 2024, which gave the product a strong supermarket debut before wider rollout. The Wonderland Cocktails range is now stocked across 460 Sainsbury’s stores, 220 Waitrose locations, and over 500 Tesco outlets nationwide — that’s exceptional coverage for a relatively new RTD product.
If you’re hunting for it, Sainsbury’s remains the most reliable place to start. The chocolate orange variant specifically was introduced as a Sainsbury’s-first launch, so availability at other retailers may vary by region and season. It’s worth checking the official BrewDog website for the most up-to-date stockist information.
Pricing and Promotional Deals
A single can of brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini retails at £3.90 at Sainsbury’s. For context, a well-made espresso martini at a cocktail bar typically costs between £10 and £14 in the UK, so the value proposition here is genuinely strong — especially given the 14% ABV and quality ingredient list.
Both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose offered a 4-for-3 mix-and-match deal at launch, bringing the effective cost per can down to approximately £2.93. If you’re entertaining and want a reliable crowd-pleaser without standing behind a cocktail shaker all evening, that deal is excellent value.
For home baristas who love hosting but also love the craft of making espresso, these cans are a practical backup option — not a replacement for your portafilter and espresso machine setup, but a brilliant convenience product for occasions when you need volume and consistency without the effort.
How Do You Serve BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini Correctly?
The Shake-and-Serve Method Explained
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is classified as a shake-and-serve cocktail, which means the shaking step isn’t optional — it’s functional. Shaking the can before opening serves two purposes: it re-emulsifies any separated ingredients, and it introduces micro-aeration that mimics the frothy top layer you’d get from a properly shaken fresh espresso martini.
The technique matters. Give the can 10 to 15 vigorous shakes before opening. Pour immediately over a large, clear ice cube or into a chilled coupe glass with no ice for the most authentic presentation. The foam head that forms — even from a can — is part of the experience.
Glassware, Temperature, and Garnishing Tips
Serve brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini at between 4°C and 6°C for optimal flavour expression. Too cold and the aromatic compounds in the Arabica coffee are suppressed; too warm and the alcohol becomes more prominent than the coffee and orange notes.
A classic coupe glass or a Nick and Nora glass is ideal. If you’re going for presentation, three coffee beans on top is the traditional espresso martini garnish — it’s said to represent health, wealth, and happiness. A thin slice of dried orange wheel adds a visual nod to the chocolate orange flavour profile and smells incredible as you lift the glass.
One expert tip: if you’re a home barista with a working espresso machine, try pulling a fresh single shot of espresso, letting it cool slightly to around 25°C, and adding it directly to the can before shaking and pouring. This amplifies the coffee intensity significantly and bridges the gap between the RTD product and a fully homemade cocktail. It’s a small trick that makes a noticeable difference.
BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini vs. Making Your Own at Home
Cost, Effort, and Flavour Comparison
As home baristas, we’re naturally going to compare brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini against what we could produce ourselves with a portafilter machine and quality ingredients. The honest answer is: both approaches have genuine merit, and they serve different occasions.
Making an espresso martini from scratch with fresh espresso — pulled at 9 bars of pressure, extracted between 25 and 30 seconds, dosed at 18 to 20 grams — produces a superior coffee flavour. Fresh espresso crema, when properly emulsified through hard shaking with ice, creates a foam top that no RTD product can fully replicate. The aroma is incomparable.
But the homemade route requires vodka, coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa), orange liqueur (like Cointreau), fresh espresso, a cocktail shaker, and ice — and it takes five to seven minutes per cocktail. For a party of eight, you’re looking at nearly an hour of cocktail shaking. That’s where brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini earns its place in any coffee lover’s fridge.
Ingredient Quality and Scalability
The RTD format wins on scalability and consistency. Every can delivers the same 14% ABV, the same ratio of Abstrakt vodka to Arabica coffee to orange liqueur, and the same sweetness level. When you’re making espresso martinis by hand, shot-to-shot variation in your espresso — even on a well-calibrated machine — means no two cocktails are identical.
According to BrewDog’s product development philosophy, the Wonderland Cocktails range was specifically designed to bring bar-quality consistency to the home occasion. For home baristas who understand extraction variables, that’s a meaningful promise — and in our experience, the chocolate orange espresso martini largely delivers on it.
Is BrewDog’s Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini Worth Buying?
Tasting Notes and Honest Assessment
Let’s be direct. Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is one of the better RTD coffee cocktails currently available in UK supermarkets. The Arabica coffee base provides genuine coffee character rather than the artificial coffee flavouring you find in lower-quality products. The orange liqueur integration is balanced — citrus-forward without being sharp, and the chocolate impression reads as natural rather than synthetic.
The 14% ABV is a double-edged sword. It gives the cocktail real punch and authenticity, but it does mean that some of the more delicate coffee aromatics can be overshadowed if the product is served even slightly too warm. Chill it properly, shake it well, and it performs impressively.
For coffee enthusiasts specifically, the Arabica coffee note is identifiable and pleasant. It’s not as complex or as fresh as a shot pulled from your home espresso machine, but it’s honest, it’s well-integrated, and it doesn’t taste like a coffee-flavoured alcopop. That’s a genuine achievement in the RTD space.
Who Is This Product For?
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini makes most sense for home baristas who want a convenient, high-quality cocktail option for entertaining, for evenings when you don’t want to fire up the espresso machine at 10pm, or for gifting to coffee-loving friends. At £3.90 a can, it’s an accessible entry point into premium RTD cocktails.
It’s also worth considering as a benchmark. If you’re developing your own homemade chocolate orange espresso martini recipe, tasting the BrewDog version gives you a well-calibrated reference point for ingredient ratios and flavour balance — something professional bartenders do routinely when developing new cocktail menus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BrewDog’s chocolate orange espresso martini?
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is a ready-to-drink canned cocktail with 14% ABV, combining Abstrakt vodka, Arabica coffee, and orange liqueur. It’s part of BrewDog’s Wonderland Cocktails range and is designed as a shake-and-serve product. The flavour profile delivers espresso bitterness, citrus brightness, and a lingering cocoa finish in every can.
Where can I buy BrewDog chocolate orange espresso martini?
You can find brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini at over 460 Sainsbury’s stores, 220 Waitrose locations, and more than 500 Tesco outlets across the UK. It originally launched as a Sainsbury’s exclusive in September 2024. Check BrewDog’s official website for current stockist listings, as availability varies by region and season.
How much alcohol is in BrewDog’s chocolate orange espresso martini?
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini has an ABV of 14%, placing it firmly in the same strength category as a cocktail served in a bar. This is significantly higher than most RTD canned drinks, which typically range from 4% to 10% ABV. Consume responsibly and chill the can thoroughly before serving for best results.
How do you serve BrewDog’s chocolate orange espresso martini properly?
Shake the can vigorously 10 to 15 times before opening. Pour immediately into a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass, ideally over no ice to preserve the foam head. Serve at between 4°C and 6°C. Garnish with three coffee beans or a dried orange slice for a presentation that matches the quality of the product inside.
What’s the difference between BrewDog’s regular espresso martini and the chocolate orange version?
The key difference is the addition of orange liqueur in the chocolate orange variant, which introduces citrus notes and a cocoa-adjacent sweetness absent from the standard version. The chocolate orange espresso martini also tends to have a more layered flavour profile — the orange liqueur bridges the espresso bitterness and the vodka warmth in a way that makes it distinctly more complex and dessert-like.
Final Thoughts
Brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini is a product that home baristas and coffee enthusiasts can genuinely appreciate — not just as a convenience item, but as a well-crafted cocktail that respects the Arabica coffee at its core. The 14% ABV, the quality of the Abstrakt vodka base, and the intelligent use of orange liqueur combine to create something that punches well above its £3.90 price point.
It won’t replace the experience of pulling a perfect shot through your portafilter and shaking it into a fresh espresso martini — nothing will. But brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini fills a genuine gap in the home coffee entertaining space, and its rapid distribution growth to over 6,000 UK stockist points tells you that the market agrees.
If you haven’t tried brewdog’s chocolate orange espresso martini yet, pick up a four-pack, chill them properly, shake them well, and pour them into good glassware. You might find yourself rethinking what RTD coffee cocktails are capable of.