This modern classic was created by one of our all-time bar heroes, Dick Bradsell. If you’ve heard of the Bramble cocktail, that is another one of his many creations. Anyway, the story goes that in the early 1980’s Dick was asked by a guest for a drink to “wake them up and f*ck them up”. He duly obliged, and a legend was born.
Ingredients
- 30 ml VODKA (2 parts)
- 15 ml COFFEE LIQUEUR (1 part)
- 30 ml ESPRESSO (2 parts)
- 5 ml SUGAR SYRUP (DASH)
Recipe Diagram
How to make it
- 1 – Add all ingredients to shaker
- 2 – Fill shaker with ice and shake hard
- 3 – Strain into glass
- 4 – Shaking makes the ingredients rich and frothy. When you pour the drink into the glass a thick and light coloured foam will rise to the top, leaving a dark heavy liquid below. Wait for this foam to completely settle, before garnishing.
- 5 – Place three coffee beans in the the centre of the glass on top of the drink’s foam and serve.
Watch this
Get nerdy with it
VODKA Whatever you usually drink, but remember – the better you put in the better you get out!
COFFEE LIQUEUR The classic Coffee Liqueur for this recipe is Kahlua, but today there are also many others to choose from. Feel free to switch it up if you aren’t overly constrained by tradition.
ESPRESSO Freshly made is great, but if you’re entertaining and are planning to make a few drinks we recommend making your coffee ahead of time, bottle and keep in the fridge. Hot or cold espresso? Don’t tell anyone we told you, but it really doesn’t matter.
RICH SUGAR SYRUP This is a personal thing. A splash of syrup does make it a more unctuous and delicious, but if you want to be little healthier, the world won’t end if you leave it out.
Why we chose this recipe for you
This drink has gone by a few different names over the years, such as the “Vodka Espresso” and our favourite the “Pharmaceutical Stimulant”. Especially because both names refrain from using the word ‘Martini’ in a drink that has nothing to do with stirring Gin and Vermouth together AKA, a Martini.
To be clear, there is no blame here, anyone, including us, writing recipes and serving them in what is commonly, but incorrectly known as a “Martini” glass through the 90s and early 00s, called those recipes ‘Martinis’ or ‘…Tinis’. Such as the Appletini, Chocolatetini etc etc…you get the gist. To be clear, these recipes are NOT Martinis, and the only thing connecting them to an actual Martini is the use of the V-Shaped Cocktail Glass, known by slang as a Martini Glass.
Lets be honest though, the Espresso Martini will forever be called the Espresso Martini, it’s famous all over the world, and it’s delicious. We just want you to be aware that the word Martini can still cause plenty of confusion, but not for you now.
When it comes to making Espresso Martinis you can, as with most classics, get creative. Vodka can be switched out for most base spirits and the drink still works great, even Gin and coffee go well together, try our Coffee G & T. Alternatively, switch out the Coffee Liqueur for a nut or cocoa flavoured Liqueur.
However you enjoy yours, raise a glass to Dick and his timeless formula. When you do so, just remember that they really can “wake you up and f*ck you up”, so proceed with caution!
As always, don’t forget to show us what you made by tagging us!
@Candra_Drinks
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