Muse of Mixology title
The Espresso Martini Craze
In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, I made Espresso Martinis all the time. Flavored vodkas were plentiful, and every bartender had his/her recipe. I always used vanilla vodka in mine, and depending on the guest and their preference, I sometimes added cream. That trend went away, and those of us in the craft cocktail world secretly scoffed at people who ordered them over the next ten years. Well, the Espresso Martini craze is back in full force. In a December 2022 article, CNN called 2022 the “Year of the Espresso Martini.” Perhaps it is our desire for nostalgia, but I believe this fad will continue well into 2023.
The Espresso Martini, traditionally, is made of vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur. It is thought to be created in the ‘80s when a model in a London bar reportedly asked for a drink that would “wake her up and f**k her up.” There is no standard recipe, as there is with classics like the Manhattan (2-1-2). If you poll a dozen bartenders, you will get a dozen recipes. Americans are also obsessed with coffee, and today you can find a Starbucks every few miles and local coffee shops boasting that their organic-free trade coffee is the best in the city.
I am excited about this go-round trend because it is a bit different. Bartenders are even more creative and not locked into only using vodka. I have seen Espresso Martinis using everything from bourbon to mezcal to rum. I also highly encourage using orange vodka; it adds a brightness you don’t get with regular or vanilla vodka. Cold brew is also used where espresso is unavailable, and I have also seen some fantastic homemade coffee liqueurs. Bitters are a great way to add extra layers of flavors too, and a touch of saline will often brighten the cocktail as well. A touch of cream is nice if that is how you enjoy your coffee but shaking espresso will naturally give the cocktail a little “froth,” too. The addition of chocolate always works with coffee, which can be with syrup, a liqueur, bitters, or even cookie crumbs on the rim of the glass. Here is my favorite rum version- have fun with it and be creative!!
Rum Espresso Martini
RUM ESPRESSO MARTINI
Muse of Mixology
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Aged Jamaican Rum
1 oz. Coffee Liqueur
1.5 oz. Espresso
Three dashes of Orange Bitters
Three drops Saline
Directions:
Shake well with ice, and strain into a Coupe (or Martini, if you don’t have Coupe) glass. Zest an orange peel over the top and discard. Garnish with three chocolate-covered espresso beans.
