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Italia Magnifica

Espresso Martini

Cocktails

Espresso Martini

A cold, coffee-forward cocktail with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of fresh espresso, shaken hard so it pours with that signature silky foam on top.

A cold, coffee-forward cocktail with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of fresh espresso, shaken hard so it pours with that signature silky foam on top.

Coffee Cocktail

Instructions

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, and simple syrup.

  2. Shake hard for about 15 to 20 seconds. The strong shake is what builds the foam, so do not go easy here.

  3. Strain into a chilled glass (a coupe or martini glass if you have one, otherwise a small rocks glass works).

  4. Garnish with three coffee beans floated on top of the foam and serve right away while it is cold and frothy.

Equipment

  • Cocktail ShakerEssential for the hard shake that creates the foam.
  • JiggerFor measuring the spirits and espresso accurately.
  • Hawthorne StrainerTo strain out the ice while letting the foam through.
  • Rocks GlassesOptionalNo coupe or martini glass option exists here; serve in a chilled coupe/martini glass if available, otherwise a small rocks glass.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
230
Protein
0.2g
Carbohydrates
18g
Fat
0.1g
0

Per serving

The story

Where it comes from

The Espresso Martini was invented in London in the 1980s by bartender Dick Bradsell, who reportedly mixed it up when a customer asked for something that would wake her up and mess her up. It is not a traditional Italian drink, but it leans heavily on Italian espresso and has become a fixture in bars across Italy and the rest of the world. It is now a modern classic, especially popular as an after-dinner pick-me-up.

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