Drink of the Week: The Espresso Martini
Some drinks are built for patios in the sun.
Others belong under dim lights, good music, and conversations that somehow last three hours longer than expected.
This week’s Drink of the Week is the Espresso Martini — bold, smooth, slightly dangerous, and effortlessly cool.
It’s the cocktail equivalent of saying:
“I’m tired… but not going home yet.”
Rich espresso meets vodka and coffee liqueur to create a drink that feels equal parts nightlife and luxury. It’s become a staple at cocktail lounges, rooftops, late-night dinners, and pretty much anywhere people are trying to keep the night alive a little longer.
Why We Picked It
The Espresso Martini has had a massive comeback over the past few years, and honestly, it deserves it.
It works because it sits in a perfect middle ground:
- strong without tasting harsh,
- energizing without feeling chaotic,
- and elevated without trying too hard.
It’s one of those drinks that instantly changes the vibe of the table when it arrives.
How to Make It
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz fresh espresso
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and ice into a shaker.
- Shake hard until chilled and frothy.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with coffee beans on top of the foam.
The History Behind the Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini was created in the 1980s by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell in London. According to cocktail lore, a customer walked into the bar and asked for a drink that would:
“Wake me up and mess me up.”
Bradsell combined vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar — accidentally creating one of the most iconic modern cocktails ever made.
Over the decades, the drink evolved from a niche cocktail-bar order into a worldwide nightlife staple. Today, you’ll find Espresso Martinis everywhere from upscale hotel bars to trendy restaurants and rooftop lounges.
An Espresso Martini has a way of making “one last drink” sound like a great idea. Plan accordingly by taking your Rally Gummies before the night starts so the next morning feels a little smoother too.