9th May 2025
ESPRESSO MARTINI: KING OF COCKTAILS
The Espresso Martini – otherwise known as a vodka espresso – is a delicious, cold, coffee-caffeinated alcoholic drink. As coffee is one of the three main ingredients it’s a perfect pick-me up at 2am for clubbers who’ve had one too many glasses of other vodka-based cocktails such as the infamous and provocatively named ‘Crack Baby’ cocktails. (Crack Baby was the invention of by the famous London nightclub, Boujis, whose visitors famously included Prince, Leonardo di Caprio, and the current Prince & Princess of Wales).
Despite its name don’t make the mistake of confusing an Espresso Martini with Martini because, unlike the traditional Martini, it the Espresso Martini does not contain either gin nor vermouth. Each Espresso Martini contains around 45ml of vodka, yet it has been given the ‘Martini’ moniker because it is served in the same sort of cocktail glass that usually hosts a Manhattan or a Cosmopolitan. Plus it sounds pretty cute… Breakfast Martini or Espresso Martini cocktail anyone? On the cuteness front, similar imposter Martinis were even shortened to things like ‘appletini’.
Ingredients for an Espresso Martini
Ingredients of an Espresso Martini are pretty simple: espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, vodka and a simple syrup to lightly sweeten. Naturally however, as with any consumable produce, the quality of the ingredients is very important.
History
If you’re of a certain age you may remember the rise of the newly coined Espresso Martini? It was dreamt up in the 1980s by the infamous mover and shaker British bartender, Dick Bradsell. Bradsell had exacting standards and a superb attitude to both cocktail making and life: “Perfection in bartending doesn’t just happen – you have to make the effort.”
Young, funny and hungry for contributing to the good life Bradsell worked in pretty much every brilliant drinking establishment in London including the In and Out club, Zanzibar, the Groucho, the Colony Room and more. One of the most notorious and fashionable venues of the booming 1990s restaurant and bar scene, The Atlantic Bar & Grill, even named a bar after Bradsell.
You’d think that the cabinet of cocktail recipes was already over-crowded, but Dick invented several new cocktails that are here to stay. Some have reached iconic status: like the Bramble, the Russian Spring Punch and, of course, the Espresso Martini.
Bradsell – so legend has it – was once asked by a famous and very beautiful British model to make her a cocktail. She wanted one that would both wake her up and ‘mess’ her up (although she didn’t put it quite like that as some of you may recall!). As someone who made cocktails inspired by the names of Grand National racehorses, this specific request inspired Bradsell to combine vodka with coffee.
The Espresso Martini – a mix of alcohol, coffee and sugar was a smash hit and works – says Dick’s friend and former flatmate Sophie Parkin – ‘like rocket fuel’. Tragically Bradsell – not just a bartender but a perfectionist, TV presenter and kind friend – died young in 2016, with the San Francisco Chronicle dubbing him the King of the Cocktails.
Apparently the Espresso Martini was originally called a Vodka Espresso, but was later renamed the Espresso Martini to elbow its way into the 1990s’ Martini boom. Rosemullion Distillery suggest making your own classic Espresso Martini.
First you will need to make an espresso for Espresso Martini authenticity! You’ll either need a stove top espresso maker – or an espresso machine, something like a Breville Bambino Plus or a Lelit MaraX. Espresso coffee can be bought pre-ground in the supermarket or you can of course go to your local deli or specialist coffee store like the famous Algerian Coffee store in London’s Soho or from the Cornish Coffee store.
Classic Espresso Martini Recipe
Some call it an Espresso Martini’, others call it a Martini Espresso, but whether you call it the Espresso Martini or Martini Espresso INGREDIENTS are:
- 45ml vodka
- 30ml coffee liqueur* (e.g., Rosemullion Distillery’s very own coffee liqueur)
- 30ml freshly brewed espresso (hot espresso shaken with ice helps create a frothy top)
- 7–15ml simple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference, and you can easily make this at home)
*Pleaes note that our Coffee Liqueur is Rosemullion Distillery’s own blend of gold rum and roasted Italian coffee. It is 22% ABV so will give you that 2am kick no matter when you drink it.
Instructions:
- Brew fresh espresso and let it cool slightly.
- Add vodka, Rosemullion’s coffee liqueur, espresso, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously (this creates the signature frothy crema).
- Strain into a chilled Martini glass.
- Garnish with three coffee beans, traditionally said to represent health, wealth, and happiness.
Variations With Modern Twists
Baileys Espresso Martini – Replace coffee liqueur with Baileys for a creamier texture.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini – Uses salted caramel syrup or liqueur for a sweet-salty twist.
Vanilla Espresso Martini – Adds vanilla vodka or vanilla syrup for a richer flavour.
Wait what! A Spicy Espresso Martini? – Infused with chili or cinnamon for a kick this cocktail punches above its weight in exciting flavours.
Why It’s So Popular
The Espresso Martini is beloved for its perfect balance of sweetness, bitterness, and alcohol. It also gives the added bonus of that all important energizing caffeine kick.
But these kinds of flavours doesn’t just have to be reserved for the cocktail bar. As well as an Espresso Martini cocktail ingredient, Rosemullion Distillery’s coffee liqueur can also be used to make a fantastic after-dinner affogato: just pour a shot of the coffee liqueur with a little Espresso coffee over a scoop of vanilla ice-cream in a glass or bowl. Heaven on earth.
