Vodka · 1983, London

Espresso Martini

Vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur, shaken hard: the Espresso Martini is the drink of the hour between dinner and club.

Sweet6

Sour1

Bitter6

Strong6

Fresh2

Ingredients

5 cl vodka
3 cl fresh espresso
2 cl coffee liqueur
1 cl sugar syrup

Glass: Coupe or martini glass
Garnish: Three coffee beans

Method

Make the espresso fresh and let it cool briefly.
Shake all ingredients hard with plenty of ice, at least fifteen seconds.
Double-strain into the chilled coupe.
Place three coffee beans on the foam.

Dick Bradsell, bartender at the Soho Brasserie in London, invented the drink in 1983 when a model asked him to wake her up and then get her drunk. He poured vodka over fresh espresso, added coffee liqueur and shook. The drink was first called Vodka Espresso, then Espresso Martini.

Since 2020 the Espresso Martini has been Europe's most popular cocktail. The reason is simple: it fits the gap between dinner and club. In the beach clubs of Mallorca and Marbella it is shaken by the dozen.