Tired of the same old cup of coffee or Mimosa? Liven up your next brunch with the Espresso Martini.
This past summer my brother and I attended something called Gatherall in Fairfield, New Jersey. What is it exactly, and why did I fly across the country to be there? James Bond. Both my brother and myself are massive fans of 007, and Gatherall is an annual “gathering” of Bond enthusiasts from all over the world. Put on by superfans David Zaritsky and Joe Darlington, the event was full of glamour, friends and of course, cocktails.
The main libation of the night was naturally the Vesper Martini. Appearing in Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel Casino Royale, the Vesper is a booze bomb comprised of gin, vodka and originally Kina Lillet. It has become the sort of “patron saint” of Bond cocktails, more so than the Vodka Martini from all the classic films.
Gatherall wasn’t just one fun and alcohol-filled night. That whole weekend was full of other side gatherings as well, such as a cigar meetup and beer call at the hotel on Friday. Some of the attendees were able to visit a gun range and safely fire off some of 007’s famous weapons. Sunday morning was brunch, and all of us managed to meet up bleary-eyed and a little tired for a hearty meal after a long night imbibing. My breakfast sandwich and hashbrowns soaked up the fun from the previous evening, but I still needed a little bit of the hair of the dog. So I ordered a few glasses of the drink we’ll be making today, the Espresso Martini.
A strong, smooth and robust alternative to a Mimosa or Bloody Mary, the Espresso Martini has been around since the 1980s, where it was created at London’s trendy Fred’s Bar by bartender Dick Bradsell. Gaining popularity in more recent years, it seems everybody is enjoying this perky elixir at the moment. Have one, or two, and you’ll see why after only a few sips.
What is the Best Vodka to Use in an Espresso Martini?
I will always sing the praises of my preferred style of vodka. A bottle of Polish rye or wheat will bring some smooth peppery notes, each sip finishing with a refreshing bit of heat. You can also experiment with flavored varieties, too. Vanilla vodka works beautifully in this recipe, and if you want to change things up a little, try some of the fruity-flavored bottles.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlúa or any coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce espresso freshly brewed, cooled
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup for a sweeter taste, optional
- Coffee beans for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Load a cocktail shaker with ice, then pour in vodka, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso and simple syrup (if using).
- Give it a strong shake for roughly 10-15 seconds to guarantee thorough blending and chilling.
- Strain the concoction into an icy martini glass. For a chic finish, adorn with a trio of coffee beans. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
What kind of glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a martini glass in your freezer for up to thirty minutes before making and serving your drink. Garnish with a few espresso beans on top.
How was the espresso martini invented?
While Dick Bradsell was tending bar at Fred’s in London during the 1980s, a young fashion model demanded he make her something that will “wake me up and fuck me up.” The result was the Espresso Martini.
Similar Cocktails to the Espresso Martini
Need a pick-me-up this evening? Was the day dragging you down? Fear not, the Espresso Martini can help lighten your mood and reenergize your batteries. And if that cocktail got you thirsty for others like it, you’ve come to the right place. Twist & Toast has some of the best, easy-to-make and tasty cocktail recipes around. Check out a few of them below.
- Espresso Margarita – Need a little extra pep at the pool party? Try an Espresso Margarita.
- Tequila Espresso Martini – Give your next Espresso Martini some Southwestern vibes and flavor.
- Baileys Espresso Martini – A sweeter version of the caffeinated tipple, with the inclusion of Irish cream liqueur.
- Revolver – Bourbon and coffee liqueur combine for a real eye-opening drink.
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