The espresso martini suffers somewhat from its own popularity. It appears on every cocktail menu, often made carelessly, and the result is usually too sweet, too weak, or — the real crime — without that layer of foam that makes the drink what it is. Done well, however, it is one of the great after-dinner cocktails: rich, slightly bitter, elegant, and with enough caffeine to carry you pleasantly through an entire Friday evening. We make these regularly at home, and we have learned the hard way what the shortcuts cost you.
What you'll need
- 50ml vodka (something clean and unfussy)
- 30ml coffee liqueur — Kahlúa is the standard; Mr Black is exceptional
- 1 fresh espresso shot — approximately 30ml, pulled just before you shake (this is non-negotiable)
- 3 coffee beans to garnish
What you'll need from your bar
A cocktail shaker — the double-walled kind if you have one, as it keeps things colder. A fine strainer in addition to your Hawthorne strainer, for a cleaner pour. A chilled coupe glass: the foam sits better in a coupe than a martini glass, and it looks considerably more refined.
How to make it
- Pull your espresso and allow it to cool for 90 seconds — hot espresso will warm your drink. Do not use cold brew or shop-bought coffee. It is not the same.
- Fill your shaker with ice.
- Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso.
- Shake hard — harder than you think necessary, and for longer. The foam comes from aeration, and you will only get it if you commit.
- Double-strain into your chilled coupe glass.
- Float three coffee beans in the centre of the foam.
Helen's tip
The foam is everything. If it is thin or absent, the most likely culprit is the espresso — either it was too old, too hot when it went in, or you did not shake hard enough. Helen's rule is to count to twenty while shaking, vigorously, without stopping. You will feel your arms. The drink will thank you.
This is a cocktail for when the evening has shifted — dinner is finished, the candles are burning lower, and no one is in any hurry to go home. Make it properly and it will hold the room.