Unlike many of today’s most popular cocktails whose roots can be traced back over a hundred years (like the Negroni), the Espresso Martini was concocted in a bar in London in 1983 - not so long ago in the world of cocktails. The drink is said to have been created for an incredibly demanding customer who was in need of a strong pick me up. The man behind the creation was Dick Bradswell who is said to have completely revolutionised London’s cocktail scene in the 80s.
The drink that he came up with was originally known as the “Vodka Espresso” before evolving into the Espresso Martini as we know it now. It was made with vodka, coffee liqueur, a shot of espresso and simple sugar syrup.
Fast forward to today and the cocktail’s popularity is having a huge surge. Latest data from 2023 shows that the cocktail was up 164% in the previous four years in the US.[1]
As a result of all this newfound love, mixologists and bartenders have been experimenting with ingredients by playing around with the base spirit; from using caffeine free options in replacement of coffee, or switching out vodka for darker spirits like rum or whisky. One of our very own Quiet Rebels, Matt Hastings (who used whip up cocktails in one of London’s best whisky bars), has revealed some expert insights into why whisky and coffee make such a good pairing:
“In terms of flavour, coffee and whisky are a perfect match. From the creamy warmth of an Irish Coffee to the intense sweetness of a Revolver, when these two globe conquering beverages combine, they click. On a chemical level, there’s lots of shared or complimentary compounds, and we’d honestly be here forever if we attempted to discuss them all, so please excuse the following oversimplification:
Coffee tastes great with additional sweet spice from whisky. Think vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg… we’ve all seen the success of high street coffee shops in this particular flavour endeavour.
Whisky tastes great with additional depth from coffee. Filling your proverbial pockets with chocolate, biscuits, toffee, and all the other treats Grandparents sneak you behind your parent’s back.
Nc’nean in an Espresso Martini does all this, and so much more. In a typical Espresso Martini, vodka adds the required alcohol and if we’re being honest, not much else. Using Nc’nean instead adds fruity zip, malty depth, and a more luxurious, glossy texture. It’s the unexpected upgrade when you reach the check-in desk; you were going to get a room for the night either way, but now you’ve also got a balcony. And a view. And a soft fluffy robe with a secret pocket full of treats. You’ve got the best.” So here is how we like to make it, plus a more paired back version just below for when you just fancy whipping one up a bit more speedily:
35ml Organic Single Malt Whisky
20ml coffee liqueur
20ml Fresh Espresso
10ml 1:1 sugar syrup
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Easier recipe ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) Organic Single Malt Whisky
45ml (1.5oz) Coffee liqueur
1 Double espresso or 1 pod coffee shot
Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker,
then fill with cubed ice and shake hard for 12 seconds.
Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
If you would like to check out any of our other delicious cocktail recipes like our Rob Roy or Whisky Six, click here.