The Espresso Martini is a sumptuous mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. Who would have thought vodka and espresso go so well together? It’s rich, indulgent and creamy and the shot of espresso will give you that boost of energy if you are flagging after a busy day!
Such is its popularity that there is a day dedicated to celebrating this frothy cocktail.
Espresso Martini Day – 15th March each year!
Who invented the Espresso Martini?
The honour of this deliciously smooth cocktail invention goes to British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionizing the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s, through his work at bars such as The Player, 6 Degrees and Match. Bradsell is also credited with the invention of modern classics like the Bramble.
The story goes that Bradsell created the drink – originally called The Vodka Espresso then the Pharmaceutical Stimulant – at Fred’s Club in the late 1980s. A young model, who Bradsell claims is now world famous, sidled up to the bar and asked for something to “wake me up and f**k me up”. His solution was a combination of vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar, shaken into a frothy mix of bittersweet addiction.
The Espresso Martini is now a world wide classic. Many more have claimed to have invented it but we believe it has to have been Dick Bradsell.
Why do we garnish an Espresso Martini with 3 coffee beans?
Have you ever wondered why there are always three coffee beans garnishing your espresso martini? This is the cocktail’s trademark and are said to represent health, wealth and happiness and come from the traditional serving of Sambuca in Italy, where the beans are called con la mosca, which means “with the fly”. You can chew and eat the coffee beans in both cocktails but it is a personal choice!
How to make an Espresso Martini
50ml Vodka
25ml Coffee liqueur
25ml Fresh Espresso
Sugar syrup to sweeten to taste
3 coffee beans to garnish
Mix the ingredients together in a shaker full of ice and shake hard for 30 seconds. Strain into a Martini glass, you should get a nice froth on top which you can garnish with coffee beans.
Our Discovery Cocktail kit contain the ingredients you need (just add coffee) in order to make the Espresso Martini, but also a few other variations of this popular cocktail.
The beauty of this cocktail is that you can prepare it in advance and store it in the fridge. Just mix all the ingredients together and when you are ready to serve up your cocktails, just shake with ice and serve in a martini glass. Your friends and family are sure to be impressed by your newly learned cocktail making skills!