A History of the Espresso Martini
If you are a fan of both espresso and martinis, and you haven’t tried the espresso martini, then you are sorely missing out. One of the more popular drink options out there, espresso martinis are perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon and for drinking early in the evening; the coffee acts as a caffeine boost, giving you the necessary boost of energy to power through the rest of your evening. You can even drink it in the morning as a unique twist to your morning coffee routine.
History
The espresso martini was first created in 1983 by a man named Dick Bradsell as he worked at the Soho Brasserie. At first referred to as the “Vodka Espresso,” Bradsell created the espresso martini for a young supermodel who wanted a cocktail with coffee.
With a coffee machine next to his station, Bradsell mixed the woman a drink using vodka, coffee liqueur, sugar, and espresso. As he moved jobs, the name of the drink changed quite a bit before finally settling on espresso martini.
Many bartenders have claimed to have invented the now immensely popular drink, including Bradsell, but Bradsell is the person majorly believed to have created it because of his presence in the 1980s cocktail scene.
How to Make
There are a variety of twists that can be made on the espresso martini, but there is nothing quite like the original version. Below are the ingredients and steps for making the espresso martini.
Ingredients
One of the best things about the espresso martini is that it does not have too many ingredients, so it’s simple to make. The ingredients you will need are:
50ml vodka
25ml of coffee liqueur
3 coffee beans for garnish (optional(
25ml fresh espresso
Sugar syrup
Steps
Now that you know the ingredients that go into making an espresso martini, here are the steps to actually making it.
Chill a martini glass before use.
Mix the ingredients into a shaker with fresh ice cubes and shake hard.
Strain into the chilled martini glass.
Garnish with three coffee beans (optional).
Why garnish with coffee beans? The three coffee beans are part of the martinis trademark, and each has been said to ever since health, wealth, and happiness. The coffee beans are edible, so you can eat them, but that is up to you.
Rules to Making the Best Espresso Martini
However, knowing the ingredients and steps that go into making an espresso Martini aren’t enough; if you want to make the best espresso martini, you have to know the five rules.
Rule One: The first rule is to always use fresh espresso in the martini. When coffee has been ground, it begins to oxidize, which creates bitterness in the coffee. If you’re worried about the ice dilution from the hot liquid, you can always wait for the fresh espresso to cool down.
Rule Two: The foamy top layer of froth is a signature component of the espresso martini, and it is achieved through a rigorous shaking of the shaker.
Rule Three: The simple syrup gives the espresso martini a sweetness that’s not enjoyed by all palates. You can be flexible with the amount of simple syrup used to suit both your taste and the taste of those you are serving.
Rule Four: Vodka is one of the main ingredients in the espresso martini drink; you need a quality vodka to add to the profile, like Smirnoff. Avoid flavored vodkas, as the different flavors can clash within the martini.
Rule Five: Present the espresso martini in a nice glass, like a coupette. Finish it off with the garnish of the three coffee beans placed in the center, in the arrangement of a petal.
Pro tip: if you don’t have any simple syrup on hand, don’t use granular sugar. There is always the chance it won’t dissolve well into the drink. Instead, heat small amounts of sugar and water to a boil, including equal amounts of sugar and water. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool before using.
Other Methods
If you don’t have the tools, ingredients, or desire to craft the espresso martini on your own, there are other options to enjoying it in your home. In the market are canned espresso martinis, available from different retailers. These pre-made espresso martini options are made from the same quality ingredients and packaged for your convenience.
Now that you know the steps and ingredients that go into making an espresso martini, it won’t be long before you’re enjoying the amazing flavors and wowing your guests!