The Cellar
Espresso Martini Recipe
During the 1980s and ‘90s craft cocktail revival, Dick Bradsell was a bar consultant working in the U.K., where he contributed a few of the era’s most influential cocktails to the modern bartender's repertoire.
Most notable among them: the classic espresso martini. Bradsell originally served the drink, which he called the “vodka espresso,” on the rocks.
I suggest trying the drink both up and on ice to see which you prefer.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz. vodka
- ¾ oz. coffee liqueur (such as Galliano Espresso or Mr. Black)
- 1 oz. freshly brewed hot espresso
- 3 coffee beans, for garnish
Step 1
- To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso. Shake well, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Arrange 3 coffee beans on the top in a floral pattern for garnish and serve immediately.
Optional Variations:
Sweetness: if you prefer a sweeter build, add ¼– ½ ounce simple syrup. Spirit: Try swapping out the vodka for tequila, rum, Cognac, or even gin. Balance: If you like, add a few drops of a fourth ingredient for bitterness or brightness, such as an amaro or fruit liqueur.
Key facts
- Who: Belle Morizio · Belle Morizio During · Dick Bradsell