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The Espresso Martini Was Just Named the Cocktail of the Year—Here’s Why

If you enjoy cocktails, it was nearly impossible to avoid the espresso martini this year. The resurgence of demand for this concoction of vodka, coffee liqueur, sugar and a fresh shot of espresso started in mid-2021. But the espresso martini’s popularity has grown into a full-on craze during 2022—similar to other drinks of the moment like the Aperol Spritz and the Negroni Sbagliato.

On TikTok, espresso martini videos have been viewed more than 800 million times. Food + Wine recently declared that the drink “reigns supreme” among cocktails. Bartenders often comment that when a group of people sees one person order an espresso martini, suddenly everyone wants one.

Why Is the Espresso Martini So Popular?

A couple of things have brought the espresso martini back into the spotlight. Overall nostalgia for the 1990s could be one reason. Some claim a paparazzi photo of Timothée Chalamet drinking espresso martinis with Larry David helped fuel the trend. Regardless, according to research firm CGA by Nielsen IQ, the caffeinated concoction entered the top 10 list of most ordered cocktails at U.S. bars this year, displacing such classics as the Manhattan. According to CNN, sales of Kahlua, one of the drink’s key ingredients, hit a new record, growing by double digits globally.

According to cocktail lore, the espresso martini was created in 1983 by a legendary London bartender named Dick Bradshell, in response to a young model who requested a cocktail that would “wake her up.” It was reportedly the drink of 1990s supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.

How Do You Make an Espresso Martini?

The espresso martini is a relatively straightforward cocktail to make. For the classic recipe, you need vodka, a coffee liqueur such as Kahlua or Bailey’s and—most importantly—a fresh-pulled espresso that you allow to cool. If you like a sweeter cocktail, you can also include a half-ounce of simple syrup. While you always want to use quality vodka, some people swear by using vanilla-flavored vodka. Other variations include the chocolate espresso martini.

Make sure to give this drink a long, hard shake in order to get that classic velvety head foam, where you can float your coffee beans for garnish. Some people debate whether milk should be part of an espresso martini, to make it foamier. But this is incorrect—the milk dilutes the drink too much. If you make the espresso fresh and use a creamy liqueur like Kahlua or Bailey’s, you’ll have plenty of foam.

Espresso Martini Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1-ounce freshly-made and cooled espresso shot (or cold brew)
  • ½ coffee liqueur, such as Kahlua or Bailey’s
  • ½ ounce simple syrup (optional)
  • 3 coffee beans, for garnish

Directions

Add all liquid ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with three coffee beans.

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