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The espresso martini, a traditional American beverage made with espresso, coffee liquor and vodka, is said to have originated in English bar culture. Very few cocktails are as polarising as the espresso martini. While it enjoys a steadfast following, a substantial percentage of coffee lovers don’t see the merit of mixing a stimulant like coffee with high-proof vodka. Not to mention, most bartenders across the globe are wary of making single portions of espresso martini during busy nights, given how much time it takes to make and chill an espresso shot. Every year on March 15, National Espresso Martini Day is held to honour espresso martinis. The foamy cocktail’s origin story has a glamorous root, which seems quite fitting.
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The Origins Of The Espresso Martini
It’s widely believed that the first ever espresso martini was made at London’s Soho Brasserie in the eighties, by the legendary bartender Dick Bradsell. The story goes that a famous supermodel (widely believed to be Naomi Campbell) requested Bradsell to make her a drink that would ‘wake me up and then f**k me up.’ Bradsell had used the herb-forward Polish Zubrowka vodka to make the iconic cocktail and blended it with Kahlúa and freshly brewed espresso.
The cocktail marries the intensity and bold richness of espresso with the smoothness of vodka and the sweet complexity of coffee liqueur. While the predominant flavour in an espresso martini is coffee, it’s played up by the vodka’s clean and neutral base, resulting in a sophisticated and well-balanced concoction with just the right amount of bitterness.
Espresso Martini Variations You Must Try
If you’re looking to make an espresso martini at home, follow these amazing recipes:
Classic Espresso Martini
The espresso martini is essentially a base alcohol with balanced sweet and bitter components, much like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned. The espresso martini employs coffee as its bittering agent, sweetened with a hint of liqueur, instead of ingredients like sweet vermouth or bitters to offer the latter flavours.
Filter Coffee Espresso Martini
If you like an espresso martini, you might just fall in love with this one. This ready-to-drink cocktail aims to redefine the classic martini by infusing the essence of South Indian filter coffee into the mix. Paying homage to the beloved Kaapi culture found in Udupi darshinis, where crafting the perfect filter coffee is an art, this espresso martini version embodies the precise methods and cherished traditions of South India, right down to the meticulous measurement of froth height and pour technique.
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Mint Chocolate Espresso Martini
This cocktail can be enjoyed after supper. You may simply refer to it as a tasty liquid treat. It's ideal for commemorating National Espresso Martini Day. For anyone who knows that chocolate is never out of place where coffee is involved, this chocolate mint espresso martini is a great alternative to the classic espresso martini.
Chocolate & Orange Espresso Martini
Unsurprisingly, chocolate and orange are the only ingredients used in a chocolate orange espresso martini. In particular, as genuine chocolate would obviously not mix with an iced cocktail, you'll add the zest of an orange and usually some sort of chocolate sauce.
Smoked Espresso Martini
This robust, well-balanced smoked espresso martini is perfect for special occasions and late nights. Vodka keeps the beverage smooth and clear, while rich espresso adds a natural crema and rich coffee flavour. A hint of coffee liqueur balances the harshness. This recipe increases smokiness in two clever ways without using liquid smoke or tricks. To provide aroma without dominating the beverage, smoked turbinado sugar is first dissolved in a fast, simple syrup. Second, a quick sensory hit is produced by briefly smoking the glass itself right before pouring.
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Daiquiri Espresso Martini
A daiquiri espresso martini substitutes white or golden rum for the vodka in an espresso martini. This change gives the beverage an extra sweetness that perfectly balances the espresso's flavours. This might be more appealing to you if you enjoy daiquiris in general. Make sure your store-bought simple syrup doesn't contain any materials obtained from animals (some may use bone char in the refining process). As an alternative, prepare your own syrup at home with a 1:1 ratio of organic sugar to water.
