Best Espresso Martinis in Scottsdale (2026 Guide)
- Meghan Alfonso
- Jun 27, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: May 4
The espresso martini stopped being a trend years ago. It is now the closing drink at every Old Town dinner, the pre-game cocktail at every bachelorette weekend, and the menu item Scottsdale bartenders compete to make better than the next bar.
We plan dozens of weekends in Scottsdale every month, and the espresso martini question comes up on almost every itinerary. Where is the best one? Which spot has the most photogenic version? Where can a group of 8 actually get seated? After running enough weekends to have an opinion, here are the spots that consistently make the list.
What Makes a Great Scottsdale Espresso Martini
A few things separate a great Scottsdale espresso martini from a forgettable one:
Fresh-pulled espresso, not cold-brew shortcuts. The best versions in town are made with espresso that was a bean five minutes ago. You can taste the difference.
Real coffee liqueur, not just Kahlua. Mr. Black, Borghetti, and house-infused options elevate the drink considerably.
The pour matters. Some Scottsdale spots have built reputations on showmanship — frothy heads, signature garnishes, presentation worth the photo.
Group capacity. Bachelorette parties of 10+ cannot squeeze into a 4-seat speakeasy. The best venues for groups balance quality with seating.
Here are the eight spots we send our clients to.
The Bar List
Address: 7135 E Camelback Rd #130, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (Scottsdale Waterfront)
The cocktail: A signature espresso martini built around the steakhouse's premium spirits program
Maple & Ash brought their two-Michelin-star Chicago concept to the Scottsdale Waterfront in 2019, and the cocktail program reflects the same standard as the food. Their espresso martini is presentation-forward, the kind of drink that earns a phone-camera moment before the first sip. The execution is precise, the glassware is intentional, and the experience matches the broader steakhouse atmosphere.
This is a "we are celebrating something" stop, not a casual drink-after-work choice. Pair it with the wood-fired menu and treat the entire visit as the event.
Insider tip: Tower Hour (Mon-Fri, 5-6 PM) brings $2 oysters and $40 mini seafood towers, the most accessible way to experience Maple & Ash. Order the espresso martini after the oysters.
Address: Old Town Scottsdale (verify exact address before publishing)
The cocktail: Multiple espresso martini variations + Aperol Espresso Spritz
Three Beans is what happens when an espresso martini stops being a menu item and becomes a whole concept. Tucked off the main Old Town drag among the galleries, it is small, intimate, and entirely focused on espresso-forward cocktails. The menu is dedicated almost exclusively to coffee-based drinks. They take the category seriously in a way most Scottsdale bars do not.
The Aperol Espresso Spritz is the order if you have had your fill of standard espresso martinis. The classic is also exceptional, made with care that other spots reserve for their headline cocktail.
Insider tip: Small space. If your group is over 6, plan for waiting or split into two waves. Worth it.
Address: 7353 Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
The cocktail: Smirnoff vodka, Kahlua, Irish Cream, creme de cacao, fresh espresso
AZ/88 is the Scottsdale espresso martini benchmark. Anyone who has lived in the Phoenix metro area and likes the drink has ordered one here. The recipe leans creamy with the Irish Cream and creme de cacao, which makes it the right call after a heavy dinner, closer to dessert than nightcap.
The space is loud, busy, and feels distinctly Scottsdale. It is a strong choice for groups because the bar accommodates without feeling cramped, and the food menu is solid if you want to extend the visit.
Insider tip: If you are doing more than two stops in a night, save AZ/88 for last. The cocktail is rich enough that anything after feels like a downgrade.
Address: 6850 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
The cocktail: VH Espresso Martini - Tito's vodka, Ancho Reyes, cacao, demerara, fresh espresso
Hotel Valley Ho's mid-century-modern lounge is one of the best vibe-to-cocktail ratios in Scottsdale. ZuZu's espresso martini adds a subtle chili kick from Ancho Reyes that you do not realize is there until your second sip. The result: smooth at first, with a small warmth that elevates the standard recipe.
It is a lounge, not a bar, meaning you sit, you take your time, you have one or two cocktails over an hour. Do not expect to crush three in 30 minutes.
Insider tip: This is a "we want a real conversation" stop, not a "let us pre-game" stop. Build the night accordingly.
Want a Scottsdale night out that is actually planned?
We design custom bachelorette weekends, guys trips, and birthday celebrations across Scottsdale. Reservations handled, transportation booked, the right cocktail in your hand at the right time. You just show up.
Address: Scottsdale Fashion Square area (verify before publishing)
The cocktail: Ketel One Vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Press espresso, maple syrup
Francine is on every short list of Scottsdale's best new restaurants, and their espresso martini deserves the attention. The maple syrup gives it a subtle warmth that distinguishes it from the standard recipe. Slightly sweeter, more complex.
The space leans intimate. Reservation strongly recommended, especially on weekends.
Insider tip: It is just a few steps from Nobu (also on this list). Easy two-stop crawl with the same caliber of cocktail at both.
Address: 6316 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
The cocktail: Espresso, premium vodka, hint of sweetness
Fat Ox is upscale Italian, and their espresso martini fits the room. It is not the most adventurous version on this list, but it is executed perfectly, which is what you want from a refined Italian dinner spot. Order it after the pasta course and skip dessert.
Insider tip: This works best as part of a full Fat Ox dinner experience, not a single-cocktail stop. The room and the drink go together.
Address: 6922 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (Old Town, next to Hotel Valley Ho)
The cocktail: Espresso Brunch Martini - locally roasted espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, dash of cream
Craft 64 is better known for being a top-50 pizzeria in the country than for cocktails, but their espresso martini holds its own. Locally roasted espresso paired with cream gives it a brunch-friendly profile, lighter and more drinkable than the heavier creamy versions elsewhere on this list.
The space itself is part of the appeal. A cozy historic home in Old Town with a patio th
at fills up fast on weekends. It is a reset spot if you have been doing high-end cocktail bars all weekend and need a casual neighborhood-pizzeria vibe.
Insider tip: Order the espresso martini with the Honey Bee pizza. Sweet, spicy, and salty in a single sitting. Trust the combo.
Address: 7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (Scottsdale Waterfront)
The cocktail: The Infamous Espressotini - espresso-infused vodka, cold brew, Madagascar vanilla, "giddy-up dust"
Olive & Ivy's tree-lined patio is one of the prettier Scottsdale outdoor settings. The espresso martini leans heavily on the vanilla, making it sweeter than the others on this list. Polarizing - sweet-cocktail people will love it, dry-martini people will not.
Waterfront location means it is a strong choice for daytime drinking, brunch, or sunset hours.
Insider tip: Order this with dessert, not before. The sweetness is too much paired with savory food.
Ready to plan an unforgettable night in Scottsdale?
Tell us how many people, what night, and what kind of evening you want. Whether it is a bachelorette party, proposal, or birthday celebration, we will handle the reservations, the routing, and the experience. Espresso martinis included if you want them.
Where is the best espresso martini in Scottsdale?
Three Beans Cafe in Old Town Scottsdale is a dedicated espresso martini bar. AZ/88, Hotel Valley Ho, Maple and Ash, and Francine are also consistently named on best-of lists for the Scottsdale espresso martini scene.
Does Scottsdale have a dedicated espresso martini bar?
Yes. Three Beans Cafe in Old Town Scottsdale is built around espresso-forward cocktails, with multiple variations on the espresso martini and the Aperol Espresso Spritz.
How much does an espresso martini cost in Scottsdale?
Expect 14 to 22 dollars at most Scottsdale bars and restaurants, with upscale spots like Nobu and Maple and Ash on the higher end. Happy hour pricing can bring this down by 4 to 6 dollars at participating venues.
What is the best espresso martini for a bachelorette party in Scottsdale?
AZ/88 and Olive and Ivy handle larger groups well. Three Beans Cafe is the most photogenic option but seats are limited. For groups over 8, reservations are strongly recommended at any of these spots.
Are espresso martinis in Scottsdale strong?
Most Scottsdale espresso martinis use a single shot of espresso with 1.5 to 2 ounces of vodka. Stronger than a typical cocktail because of the caffeine plus alcohol combination. Plan accordingly if you are bar-hopping.
Their espresso martini is rich, creamy, and well-balanced—often cited as a benchmark drink in Scottsdale’s cocktail world