The Perfect Espresso Martini

British bartending guru Dick 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”. (foto:Cecconi's)

It is now a world wide classic. The Espresso Martini is a sumptuous mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. Strong, sweet, and delicious, with a creamy, foamy top and topped with coffee beans. It makes the perfect after-dinner drink after a big meal, but is just as good to get the party started!

Here’s what you need for an espresso martini: just espresso coffee, vodka and Kahlua!

Kahlua is a coffee flavoured liquor from Mexico. It’s sweet and has a thin syrup consistency. But more importantly, Kahlua has a coffee flavour which is necessary for a great Espresso Martini, whereas Baileys tastes like sweet rum flavoured cream. Both are delicious straight, over ice!

It’s got a fairly high alcohol content – 60 ml / 2 oz combined total of vodka and Kahlua which equals 2 standard drinks.

Just shake vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice, and voila!

TIP! Cool coffee prior to use otherwise it will melt the ice and dilute the flavour.

To get the lovely signature frothy layer on the surface of your Espresso Martini, you need to use real espresso coffee from a proper coffee machine that gives you a nice crema (ie the velvety layer of foam on the espresso). Using instant coffee granules, a French Press or similar won’t give you the same result, no matter how vigorously you shake the cocktail shaker.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4WJ7Ljy4K0