Espresso Martini

An Espresso Martini is a vodka cocktail with fresh espresso and coffee liqueur, shaken cold and served in a cocktail glass under a layer of foam. It tastes of bitter coffee, a little sweetness and a clean spirit backbone. CBC Liquors, Westford, stocks the vodka, coffee liqueur and syrup it calls for, so you only need to brew the espresso.

Why does an Espresso Martini taste so balanced?

An Espresso Martini works because each ingredient covers a different job. The vodka gives the drink its strength without adding competing flavours, so the coffee stays in front. The fresh espresso brings bitterness and aroma. The coffee liqueur adds sweetness and a rounder, deeper coffee note, and the small amount of sugar syrup lifts the bitterness just enough to keep the drink smooth rather than sharp.

The foam is part of the balance too. Shaking hard traps tiny bubbles from the espresso, and that texture softens each sip.

Where does the Espresso Martini come from?

The Espresso Martini is commonly said to come from London in the 1980s, where bartender Dick Bradsell is credited with creating it for a customer who wanted a drink to wake her up and mix her a pick-me-up. The story goes that it started under another name and became the Espresso Martini as the martini glass grew fashionable. Accounts of the details vary, but the idea of vodka, coffee and coffee liqueur has stayed the same ever since.

How do you make a good Espresso Martini at home?

Start with freshly brewed espresso and let it cool briefly, so it does not melt the ice too fast, and chill your cocktail glass before you begin. Fill a shaker with ice, add the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar syrup, then shake hard until the shaker is cold and the mix is frothy. Strain into the chilled glass and float three coffee beans on the foam.

The common mistakes are using old or weak coffee, shaking too gently so there is no foam, and pouring the espresso in while it is still piping hot. A hard, confident shake is what builds the head on the drink.

What are some twists on the Espresso Martini?

A common twist on this Espresso Martini recipe is to swap the coffee liqueur for a cream liqueur such as Baileys, which makes the drink softer and more dessert-like. Another twist is to use a flavoured vodka, such as vanilla, for a sweeter edge. Some people also use a little less syrup for a drier drink, or add a pinch of salt to lift the coffee. Each of these changes the balance, so taste as you go. The recipe on this page is the classic version.

How do you make an Espresso Martini for a crowd?

For a group, mix the vodka, coffee liqueur and sugar syrup in a pitcher ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, then add freshly brewed, cooled espresso close to serving. Espresso is best fresh, so do not make the whole mix many hours early.

The foam only comes from shaking, so shake each portion with ice just before pouring rather than serving from the pitcher. That also chills and dilutes each drink properly. Keep the glasses in the freezer or fridge so they are cold when guests arrive.

Can you make an Espresso Martini without alcohol?

Yes, you can make an alcohol-free Espresso Martini from ordinary ingredients. Shake fresh espresso with a little sugar syrup and plenty of ice until frothy, then strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and float three coffee beans on top. A splash of cold water or a little milk can soften it if it tastes too strong. It will not taste identical to the full drink, but you still get the coffee flavour and the foam.

What do you need to buy for an Espresso Martini at CBC Liquors in Westford?

CBC Liquors, Westford, has the shelves you need for this drink. On the vodka shelf you will find brands including Belvedere, Svedka and Barr Hill. On the liqueur shelf there is Kahlua, the coffee liqueur the recipe names.

The espresso and the coffee beans come from your own kitchen. You can add the products to your order on this page and choose pickup, delivery or shipping, or come in to the shop at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford.