The espresso martini is the ultimate pick-me-up drink for most people. It combines the robust flavor of espresso with the velvety texture of a classic martini, resulting in a delightful blend of sweet and savory. The cocktail is made with coffee, espresso, coffee liqueur, and vodka.
Although the espresso martini is a relatively recent invention, it landed with a bang. Oh, and the origin story is hilarious. It begins with Dick Bradsell, a career bartender. While working at London’s Fred’s Club in the 90s, a supermodel asked Dick for something that was on both extremes of the drink spectrum. What could possibly wake someone up but should be approached with caution? Dick saw an array of spirits and the espresso machine and immediately got an idea. He mixed, shook, and strained espresso, vodka, sugar syrup, and coffee liqueur into a cocktail glass. He even went further to garnish the drink with the whole coffee machine. And voila! The famous espresso martini came to life. Several years later, the recipe has been refined.
Ingredients of an Espresso Martini
Below, we discuss the ingredients needed to make this classic cocktail and possible substitutes. We also share an easy espresso martini recipe later. Take a look!
Coffee
For best results, use a strong espresso prepared in a machine with a lot of froth. Some people ask what would happen if they used instant coffee. The truth is, it just won’t have the punch.
Vodka
Vodka is king in this recipe. The good thing is that you can use any vodka of your choice. But it would be better if you could get your hands on a slightly sweet vodka.
Coffee Liqueur
Coffee liqueur goes a long way in giving your cocktail some depth and complexity in flavor. It contains sugar, coffee, and alcohol. Therefore, it complements the espresso’s bitterness while neutralizing the vodka’s sharpness. Additionally, coffee liqueur enhances the aroma of your cocktail.
Sugar Syrup
Sugar syrup is made by dissolving equal parts of sugar and water, giving your cocktail a touch of sweetness. Therefore, other flavors in the drink stand a better chance of coming out. Since it’s syrup, you can be sure it will be evenly distributed throughout the cocktail.
Coffee Beans
Coffee beans are more of a tradition than an ingredient. Since Dick added coffee beans to his first recipe, other people after that have always gone along with it. While it’s not a rule of thumb, most bartenders add three coffee beans.
Ice
Finally, you need some ice to keep your drink chilled and refreshing.
Making an Espresso Martini
Now that you know what you need for this classic cocktail, it’s time to put everything together.
Here is an easy recipe for you:
1. Put ice cubes in a cocktail shaker
2. Add coffee, coffee liqueur, sugar syrup, and vodka and stir. Keep stirring until the outside of the shaker is frosted.
3. Strain your mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with coffee beans (this is optional)
It is as simple as that. However, you should add sugar syrup sparingly.
You might wonder, “can I prepare a big batch of this cocktail” Yes. Your espresso martini can last in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Be Creative
Remember, it’s all about creativity. If you lack something, you can always substitute. For instance, a lidded container will do just fine if you don’t have a cocktail shaker. Similarly, if you don’t have some sugar syrup, you can make your own at home. You only need to heat equal amounts of sugar and water to a boil. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, turn off the heat. Let your syrup cool off before using it for your cocktail. Enjoy!
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