Espresso martini


The espresso martini is a cold, coffee-flavored cocktail made with vodka, espresso coffee, coffee liqueur, and sugar syrup. It is not a true martini as it contains neither gin nor vermouth, but is one of many drinks that incorporate the term into their names.

Origin

There are several claims for the origin of the espresso martini. One of the more common claims is that it was created by Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s while at Freds Club in London for a young lady who asked for something that would, "Wake me up, and then fuck me up." Bradsell has confirmed this in a widely-circulated video. Bradsell has also been quoted about the circumstances of his invention of the drink, "The coffee machine at the Soho Brasseries was right next to the station where I served drinks. It was a nightmare, as there were coffee grounds everywhere, so coffee was very much on my mind. And it was all about vodka back then – it was all people were drinking."
The recipes for an espresso martini vary depending on the source. Traditionally, they include Kahlua or Tia Maria.

Difford's Guide

The highly-respected Difford's Guide recommends of vodka, of hot espresso coffee, fluid ounce of Kahlua and sugar syrup. The ingredients are poured into a shaker filled with ice. The mixture is then shaken, fine strained and poured into a chilled martini glass. The drink is garnished with coffee beans and served.