The key…is to keep it simple????
I don’t know where I had my first espresso martini. But when I tried one for the first time three years ago…it changed my life.
I am not a late night girly. I am also not a bar/club girly. I am a nice restaurant, paired with a couple craft cocktails and bed by 11:00PM latest kind of girly. But life happens and I am often faced with birthday parties and celebrations that require both late nights and bar scenes.
When I tasted that espresso martini for the first time, I knew it was my key to surviving those nights. Gone with the desperate, freshmen year, Vodka Redbulls????, in with the sophistication of a fancy glass you’re forced to hold elegantly and the kick of an after dinner espresso! How European ???? ???????? ????????.
I knew that I would have to have this cocktail on speed-dial. But it’s tricky because a GOOD espresso martini has a few barriers to entry. Which I happily jumped over.
The first is an espresso machine. These can be pricey but I justified buying this one on Black Friday sale from Staples, knowing it would be cheaper than buying Blue Bottle everyday. Though I wish my wallet and nerves could handle it – that sh*t is STRONG????.
Coupe glasses are my preferred vessel for this liquid of the gods. I don’t love the aesthetic of a traditional martini glass unless it’s carrying a very dirty mixture, a toothpick of like 6 olives and sitting in either Jane Fonda or Samantha Jones hand. Plus the lip on the coupe helps keep that nice foam…foamy. I bought these a couple years back but there are SO many beautiful and affordable options that have dropped since, that I envy. Go crazy with it!
To get that beautiful foam, you have to use a cocktail shaker. I was gifted this one and I, 10/10, recommend. But any one you find in store or online will do. You can even use two cups as a makeshift Boston Shaker in a pinch.
Ok, here’s a not so high barrier to entry. You can use any hard alcohol you prefer. It should be light in color and flavor so I recommend gin, vodka or blanco tequila. All three are great but it’s also a free country so experiment if whiskey is your only vice???? ! You’ll also need a coffee liquor. I have only ever used Kahlúa and if it’s not broke don’t fix it. I’m sure Amaro or Mr. Black would be just fine ????.
Hot espresso! It must be hot and it must be fresh! When shaken with the ice, it yields that perfect foam that your decorative coffee beans will sit on so artfully.
I’ve seen other recipes that don’t call for fresh espresso and sub in cold brew concentrate or iced coffee and they totally get the job done! This is just my preferred recipe that has never failed me or the friends that keep coming over to have them????.
What, IMO, makes a bad espresso martini, you ask? Extra fluff. I’ve had a few at different restaurants and bars that get fancy by putting their spin on it. Be it creamer, Baily’s, whipped cream, extra simple syrup, etc. I had enough bad run-ins that I have resorted to requesting the below recipe when I’m out and sticking with it when I’m in.
Back to simplicity ????. It’s one part everything: one part hard alcohol (gin, vodka or blanco tequila), one part Kahlúa, one part piping hot espresso.
Supplies:
- An espresso machine
- A coupe glass
- A cocktail shaker
- Ice
- 1 oz or gin, vodka or blanco tequila
- 1 oz Kahlúa
- 1 oz fresh, hot espresso
- Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions:
- Chill your coupe glass in the freezer (as you should for any good martini). This only needs to be for as long as it takes to prep and mix the rest of the cocktail.
- Fill your cocktail shaker 3/4’s full of ice. You need to have the ice ready to go so you can immediately pour the hot espresso over it and prevent the shot from dying or turning acidic.
- Fill the shaker with the hard alcohol of choice and the Kahlúa.
- Pull the espresso shot according to your machines instructions and immediately pour it over the ice, Kahlúa and hard alcohol.
- Seal the shaker and let her rip until your hands are so cold you can’t stand shaking it anymore.
- Pull your coupe from the freezer and strain the cocktail into the glass and watch as that perfect foam rises to the top!
- If you have a steady hand (not as pictured above????), gently place three beans in a sweet little clover arrangement ☘️.
Et voila!! Toast, enjoy, dance your tush off at that bar or in your living room????!
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