How the Espresso Martini came to be
This cocktail has all the ingredients to be considered a true classic: alcohol, caffeine, and an intriguing origin story. No wonder it's the United Kingdom's favourite cocktail. For a great start to your evening out or at home, what else could you possibly need?
Espresso Martinis: Who Invented Them?
In spite of the Espresso Martini's popularity worldwide, its origins are relatively recent. Although the Espresso Martini has a lot of claims to fame, even the widely accepted version is a little mysterious.
Bartender Dick Bradsell is often credited with creating the cocktail, which revived the cocktail scene in London when it was in a slump after the 1930s.
During the 1970s, Bradsell trained as a mixologist and made a number of classic cocktails, as well as new ones, like the Treacle and the Bramble.
One fateful day in London in the 1980s, at either Fred's Club or the Soho Brasserie (depending on who you ask), a model walked up to the bar. A drink that would wake her up and make her feel good was all she asked for from Bradsell.
To make what was then called the Vodka Espresso, Bradsell mixed vodka with espresso from the bar's coffee machine.
Despite the fact that Bradsell has taken the name of the supermodel to his grave, he stated that she became very famous. Many think it was Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell. Others believe Bradsell's model was not a famous model, but rather an ordinary woman, and some argue both would have been too young at the time. Truth be told, we'll never know the whole story, but history goes on.
The History of the Espresso Martini
Trying out different coffee liqueurs to balance the taste, Bradsell tinkered a lot with the drink.
In 1997, it made its first appearance on a menu at Match EC1, where Bradsell worked.
The drink changed names more than once, being called the Pharmaceutical Stimulant by Bradsell for a time before finally settling on “Espresso Martini” because of the V-shaped glass it was served in during the 1990s.
The drink grew in popularity very quickly after Bradsell became so influential in the cocktail scene. People ordered it even in bars that didn't have it on their menu. Eventually, the Espresso Martini made its way to Australia and beyond.
Espresso Martini Ingredients
The Espresso Martini typically contains:
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1/3 parts vodka
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2/3 parts coffee liqueur (Kahlua and Tia Maria are popular options)
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2/3 parts espresso coffee
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Ice
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3 whole coffee beans (optional for garnish)
Variations of the Espresso Martini
There are many different variations of this classic cocktail recipe that can make it sweeter, smoother, or more intense. Among our favorites are:
ESPRESSO MARTINI WITH SUGAR SYRUP
Sugar syrup may be needed to sweeten the coffee liqueur depending on its flavour. Since Kahlua is already sweet, you might not need extra sugar syrup (Dick Bradsell's version included both Kahlua and sugar syrup). If you want to make your own sugar syrup, dilute sugar in boiling water at a 1:1 ratio with water.
SALTED CARAMEL ESPRESSO MARTINI
Those who love caramel in their coffee will know about this version. Mix salted caramel sauce with coffee and let it cool before placing it in the cocktail shaker. Alternatively, you can mix coffee, caramel, and salt flakes directly in the shaker.
RUM ESPRESSO MARTINI
You don't have to limit yourself only to vodka with this cocktail even though it was once called the Vodka Espresso. By substituting rum for vodka and adding equal parts of coffee, liqueur, and sugar syrup, you can intensify your drink.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO MARTINI
Known also as the Mocha Espresso Martini, the Chocolate Espresso Martini incorporates chocolate liqueur or creme de cacao with coffee to create a creamier, chocolatey drink. You can garnish with chocolate syrup, chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or even all three together if you are a chocolate fan!
