The famous cocktail made from vodka and coffee liqueur is called the Espresso Martini. It’s a delicious and invigorating cocktail that combines the kick of vodka with the rich flavor of coffee liqueur.
History of the Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini was invented in the 1980s by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie in London. As the story goes, a young model walked into the bar and asked Bradsell to make her a drink that would “wake me up and then fuck me up.” Bradsell decided to combine vodka and coffee liqueur to create a drink that was both energizing and intoxicating – and the Espresso Martini was born.
The cocktail quickly became popular at bars and restaurants in London in the 1980s and 1990s. It started gaining popularity in the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s as part of the growing cocktail culture. It remains a staple cocktail on bar menus today.
Ingredients
The classic Espresso Martini recipe contains just 3 key ingredients:
- Vodka – The base spirit that provides the alcohol content. A vodka with a smooth, crisp taste is ideal.
- Coffee liqueur – Provides a rich, sweet coffee flavor. Kahlua is the most popular brand used.
- Espresso or strong coffee – Gives the drink a bold jolt of caffeine.
Standard Recipe and Ratio
The standard recipe for an Espresso Martini is:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz fresh espresso or strong brewed coffee
This creates a ratio of 2:1:1 vodka:coffee liqueur:espresso. The vodka is the dominant alcohol, while the coffee liqueur and espresso balance each other out. This ratio allows the coffee flavor to come through prominently without overwhelming the vodka.
Serving Suggestions
An Espresso Martini is typically served straight up in a stemmed cocktail glass. Some serving suggestions include:
- Chill the cocktail glass before pouring
- Shake all the ingredients vigorously with ice to chill
- Strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with 3 coffee beans floated on top
- Can be served with a side of whipped cream on top if desired
The coffee beans garnish not only provides visual appeal, but also gives you an extra burst of aroma when you drink it. The optional whipped cream adds a velvety richness.
Variations
While the standard Espresso Martini recipe remains the most popular, bartenders have created some fun variations over the years by tweaking the ingredients:
- Vodka or Gin – Gin can be substituted for a juniper-tinged botanical version.
- Liqueurs – Using a chocolate or vanilla liqueur instead of coffee liqueur changes the flavor profile.
- Syrups – Monin coffee syrup or simple syrup sweeten the drink instead of coffee liqueur.
- Foam – An egg white or aquafaba (chickpea liquid) adds a frothy foam on top.
Feel free to get creative and try different ingredient combinations in your Espresso Martini!
Ordering an Espresso Martini at a Bar
When ordering an Espresso Martini at a bar or restaurant, here are a few tips:
- Specify the vodka brand or style you prefer – this affects the flavor.
- Ask if they make their own fresh espresso or use pre-brewed.
- You can request it to be shaken hard or gentle depending on your preference.
- Ask for a lemon twist instead of coffee beans if you want a citrus accent.
- See if you can get it served in a coupe glass for added flair.
Don’t be afraid to customize your order! A good bartender will be happy to accommodate your cocktail tastes.
Benefits of Drinking an Espresso Martini
Beyond being delicious, the Espresso Martini has some nice benefits:
- Energy boost – The coffee content provides caffeine to energize you.
- Alcohol hit – The vodka gives you a pleasurable buzz.
- Flavors – You get the interplay of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, botanical flavors based on ingredients used.
- Aroma – Coffee aroma is released as you drink it.
- Texture – It has a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.
It’s the ultimate pick-me-up cocktail that is also complex and satisfying to drink.
Potential Downsides
The Espresso Martini does come with some potential downsides to keep in mind:
- High in calories and sugar from the liqueur and cream.
- The caffeine effect may cause jitters, insomnia, etc if you drink too many.
- As a short drink, it goes down quickly and can lead to overconsumption of alcohol if you are not careful.
- The stimulating effect could mask the feeling of intoxication.
- A pricey cocktail compared to beer, wine or basic mixed drinks at most establishments.
Enjoy the Espresso Martini, but consume in moderation and be mindful of your intake.
Food Pairings
The bold coffee-vodka flavor of the Espresso Martini pairs nicely with certain foods:
- Desserts – Tiramisu, affogato, creme brulee, chocolate cake
- Savory dishes – Steak, burgers, lamb chops, mushrooms
- Cheeses – Gouda, parmesan, gruyere, fontina
- Snacks – Nuts, charcuterie, dried fruits
The cocktail holds up well against rich and savory flavors. The coffee note complements chocolate or other sweet desserts. Planning a cocktail and food pairing tasting is a fun way to enjoy the Espresso Martini to the fullest.
Pop Culture References
As a popular modern classic cocktail, the Espresso Martini has made appearances in pop culture over the years:
- In the 1998 movie Sex and the City, Carrie and her friends frequent a Manhattan bar where their preferred drink order is “Stoli vanil skaya (Stolichnaya vanilla vodka) with a splash of cranberry.” This is their version of an Espresso Martini using vanilla vodka instead of coffee liqueur.
- A recipe for the Espresso Martini is included in the 1998 book Boozehound by legendary writer and bartender Gary Regan. The book helped spread the recipe to the masses.
- In a 2011 episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump met new housewife Brandi Glanville for the first time over Espresso Martinis.
- In the movie Abduction (2011), Lorna orders an Espresso Martini while out at a bar with Nathan.
- The cocktail has been featured on shows like Sex and the City, Gossip Girl, The Mindy Project, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The sophistication and indulgence of the Espresso Martini resonates with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. It remains a status cocktail featured in pop culture references today.
Fun Facts
- November 23rd is celebrated as National Espresso Martini Day in the United States.
- The world record for the most expensive Espresso Martini was set in Australia in 2016. It cost $12,000 and contained traditional ingredients as well as a few drops of a 200-year-old port and 24k gold flakes.
- In 2017, an Espresso Martini festival called Espresso Martini Fest was held in Melbourne featuring different bars competing to make the best Espresso Martini.
- The salted caramel Espresso Martini is a popular flavor twist, adding a pinch of sea salt on top to complement the sweet and bitter flavors.
- A caffeinated version called the Wakeup Call Martini uses extra espresso and omit the coffee liqueur.
Conclusion
With its origins in trendsetting London bars of the 1980s, the Espresso Martini has secured its place as one of the most beloved modern cocktails. Its invigorating yet indulgent blend of coffee and alcohol is like a liquid dessert. While the original recipe endures, bartenders have come up with creative tweaks to make their own signature versions. Ordering an Espresso Martini is the perfect way to refresh your night out with a touch of sophistication.