Espresso Martini

The modern classic for real coffee junkies
Espresso Martini Cocktail Rezept zum selber machen
Strength:
mittelstark (11% - 19%)
Era:
Cocktail Renaissance (1980 - 2004)
Created by:
Dick Bradsell
Origin:
Great Britain
Espresso Martini

For me, the Espresso Martini clearly belongs in the Olympus of cocktails. It’s the perfect example of how a good, balanced drink doesn’t need a lot of ingredients, nor any particularly unusual ones. Here, only the quality of your espresso and coffee liqueur determines how good the result will be.

The cocktail belongs to the group of Modern Classics and builds on the well-known Black Russian, which in turn is a simplified version of the White Russian. However, the Espresso Martini has an elegance that lifts it out of this group and places it on its own pedestal.

  • Prep Time2 min
  • Cook Time1 min
  • Total Time3 min
  • Yield1 jar
  • Serving Size150 ml
  • Energy205 cal
  • Cuisine
    • britisch
  • Course
    • Getränk
  • Cooking Method
    • Shaken
  • Tags

Zutaten

For the espresso martini

  • 60 ml fresh espresso
  • 60 ml vodka*
  • 15 ml sugar syrup
  • 15 ml coffee liqueur

Barstuff

  • Shaker*
  • small sieve
  • Martini glass

Zubereitung

1
Add a good handful of ice cubes to the shaker.
2
Add the vodka, sugar syrup, coffee liqueur and the fresh espresso to the shaker and shake vigorously.
3
Then pour the cocktail through a fine sieve into the pre-chilled martini glass.
4
Garnish with coffee beans or some coffee powder (optional) and serve. Your espresso martini is ready!
Hint:

Tip for the best possible taste experience: Always use freshly brewed espresso and make sure the beans are of good quality.

  • Nährwerte

  • 1 servings per container
  • Serving Size150 ml
  • Amount per serving
  • Calories205
  • % Daily Value*Standard DV
  • Total Fat0.1 g78 g0.13%
  • Total Carbohydrate15.3 g275 g5.56%
  • Dietary Fiber0.4 g28 g1.43%
  • Total Sugars14.3 g
  • Protein0.1 g50 g0.2%
  • Calcium1.2 mg1300 mg0.09%
  • Iron0.1 mg18 mg0.56%
  • Potassium69 mg4700 mg1.47%
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)0.1 mg90 mg0.11%
  • Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.1 mg1.3 mg7.69%
  • Phosphorus4.2 mg1250 mg0.34%
  • Iodine0.6 mcg150 mcg0.4%
  • Magnesium48 mg420 mg11.43%
  • Chloride0.6 mg2300 mg0.03%
  • Alkohol23.4 g

The history of the Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini was invented during the cocktail boom of the 1980s by London bartending legend Dick Bradsell, who was dubbed the king of cocktails by British newspaper The Observer.

“Can you make me a drink that will wake me up and then fuck me up?”

Bradsell described the story behind the creation of the Espresso Martini as follows: “One evening, a model – now very famous – came into my bar and asked me: “Can you make me a drink that will wake me up and then fuck me up?” As a result, Dick Bradsell came up with the idea of refining the well-known Black Russian. The result was the birth of the Espresso Martini.

Dick Bradsell, gentleman that he was, never revealed the name of the model. According to rumors, it was none other than supermodel Kate Moss. The time and also the famous sentence could speak at least for the British model.

Bittersweet pick-me-up – The flavor profile of the Espresso Martini

Freshly brewed espresso from a steaming portafilter machine
Freshly pressed espresso is far more intense in taste and less bitter. Be sure to use good quality beans. | Image Source: Natha Dumlao

The bitter-tart notes of the espresso used characterize the taste of the Espresso Martini. For this reason, you should always pay attention to fresh coffee of good quality if you want to inspire your guests or yourself with this cocktail. The alcoholic spiciness of the vodka* and the sweetness of the coffee liqueur and sugar syrup give the drink its elegant polish, with which it has always surprised critics time and time again. True coffee fans will be delighted with a good Espresso Martini.

Always just Kahlúa? The right coffee liqueur for your cocktail

Sure, Kahlúa is the most famous and popular ingredient for the espresso martini and is considered a deonym for coffee liqueur.

Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to look beyond the familiar. You’ll come across high-quality variants like the Mr. Black Cold Brew or the Patron XO Tequila* coffee liqueur, which will give your cocktail a completely different, almost sublime look. Just keep in mind that both contain significantly less sugar than the Kahlúa and you may need to add a bit more sugar syrup to your drink.
By the way, both coffee liqueurs are also excellent for preparing another cocktail legend, the White Russian.

Short and sweet: tips for your espresso martini

  • Try high-quality coffee liqueurs to give your drink that special something that sets it apart from the ordinary.
  • Shake it real good! What the crema is to a perfect espresso, the foam crown is to an espresso martini. This should be stable in the jar, yet fluffy. To achieve this, you’d better shake the drink a little longer and harder.
  • Without freshly brewed espresso, this cocktail is a mere shadow of its former self. The aromas in a cup of coffee are fleeting and complex. They do not tolerate long standing times, otherwise they lose flavor due to oxidation. Therefore, always pay attention to freshly ground beans, a good preparation and a fast processing of your espresso.
  • Reach for good, but not premium vodka for your cocktail. The taste of the drink is almost exclusively determined by the espresso and the liqueur. Expensive premium vodka only makes the cocktail more expensive, but not better.

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