How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

One of the cocktails that define the December holidays is an espresso martini. It is one of our festive season traditions every year during the holiday. Experimenting with cocktails. And this coffee kicker as well as the gingerbread martini always make an appearance.

A real martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive. Like the pornstar martini, pumpkin spice martini, and gingerbread martini, this is not a “proper” martini as it has a vodka base and no gin or vermouth. It feels that any cocktail served in a V-shaped martini glass automatically gets the martini added.

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According to some research, the espresso martini cocktail was invented by British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionising the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s. He created the drink, first called vodka espresso at Fred’s Club in London.

During the 80s, drinking vodka was all the rage, and his combination of fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar with vodka shaken until frothy was the perfect bittersweet caffeine hit.

The Ingredients

Espresso: strong brewed machine espresso made with good quality coffee beans with a nice layer of crema on top. Instant coffee might be quicker, but don’t taste the same and doesn’t have the nice cream layer on top. Just make sure you made the coffee in advance to allow it time to cool down properly.

Vodka: It does not have to be the most expensive vodka, but using good quality vodka is important. There is also the option of flavoured vodka. I like using vanilla-flavoured vodka to add a sweeter note to the espresso martini.

Coffee liqueur: I always use Kalhua but that is just because I have it available. Any good quality coffee liqueur will work.

Simple syrup: made by dissolving one unit of sugar with one unit of water over slow heat. Allow the syrup to cool completely. This you can add to taste. If you are using a sweeter flavoured vodka, add the simple syrup carefully. I find that between the vodka and the coffee liqueur, there is nearly enough sweetness, and I seldom more than half the simple syrup.

Coffee beans: Traditionally decorated with three coffee beans. Using proper espresso with a nice crema will allow you to float three coffee beans perfectly. Uneven number of garnishes are more aesthetically pleasing and according to some, the three coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness.

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How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

An Espresso Martini is an easy cocktail to make at home.

Ingredients

• 60 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 30 ml espresso
• 10 ml simple syrup
• 3 coffee beans for garnish
• ice

Method

• Add the ice and the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it a good hard shake. You want to cool down the drink and get a nice crema on top of the cocktail.
• Strain into a martini or coupe glass making sure you pour quickly to get that nice foam layer on top.
• Garnish with coffee beans and enjoy.

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