Espresso Martini: The Queen of Cocktails is Back
The naughty eighties’ cocktail – the Espresso Martini – has taken over social media, with snaps of the famous triangular glass and coffee-coloured drink featuring all over the internet. Why? No one really knows what sparked the hype, but we’re certainly not seeing anyone complaining…
With a mixture of coffee, vodka and coffee liqueur, the Espresso Martini is a drink that gives you a kick in both the head and heart.
The Origin of The Espresso Martini - The Queen of Cocktails
The Espresso Martini can be described as the queen of the cocktail world. According to Liquor.com, the Vodka Espresso ranks number two on the most popular cocktails list, ruling alongside the traditional Bourbon Old Fashioned.
The origin of this royally chic drink dates back to the early eighties. The man behind the Martini trend is Dick Bradsell, a bartender frequenting the streets of London’s SoHo district. Rumour has it that an English supermodel asked Bradsell for a drink that would “wake [her] up then f— [her] up.” That led him to mix coffee, vodka and a coffee liqueur in a shaker and voilá, behold the Espresso Martini!
Gen Z’s Version of Vodka and Red Bull
The latest party go-to is no longer a tumbler with vodka and Red Bull. No, Gen Zs rather prefer a spiked espresso served in a chic glass and we can understand why. The Wall Street Journal confirms that cocktails are making a comeback with the Espresso Martini leading the revolution. Since Generation Z has an uncanny obsession with coffee, it makes sense that it spills over to their party drink preferences too.
The newer generations in society are also the most active on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Inevitably, Glimpse recorded an increased presence of images and videos of Espresso Martinis on these visual platforms. With an approximate 3.7 million searches per month in 2024, it is safe to say that the Espresso Martini has gone viral. In fact, the trend grew by 38% since the previous year.
The stunning drink is the epitome of an Instagrammable moment, tying into the visual culture of the 21st century. If something is pretty, it is bound to be popular.
An Expert Opinion
George Mentis, owner of RAYA Restaurant in Hazelwood, Pretoria, says his Espresso Martini sales have skyrocketed. — Whether that’s because of the special he ran or the trend – that remains unknown.
His unique spin on the timeless cocktail has made him garner the reputation of having one of the best Espresso Martinis in the city, though. A secret muse from overseas inspired the unique twist that sets his Espresso Martini apart from the rest – a cheeky shot of Amarula liqueur. Further to this, he also goes for a more understated vodka taste, using only one shot compared to the usual recipe’s two shots.
Many cocktail experts have tried their hand at creating a new version of this timeless drink. However, one thing remains certain: You can judge the quality of an Espresso Martini by its foam.
With a creamy texture from his special ingredient, Mentis’ Espresso Martini has the perfect layer of foam resting on top. And, while you might expect an Espresso Martini with a darker coffee colour, RAYA Restaurant’s version is of a lighter beige. Their Espresso Martini might not look like the original prototype, but we thought it tasted better. Tastes differ, though, so you will need to try it for yourself.
When asked about the three coffee beans on top – a garnish synonymous with Espresso Martinis – Mentis simply said: “One for health, one for wealth and one for happiness.” A cute little mantra to go with a cute little drink (with a kick, of course).
A Recipe To Try At Home
If you are like us and often fancy shaking up a cocktail after a long day of work, try your hand at this Espresso Martini recipe, courtesy of RAYA Restaurant:
RAYA's Espresso Martini
Ingredients
25ml vodka
25ml Amarula
25ml Kahlua
25ml espresso
3 coffee beans
Method
Fill your Martini glass with ice and add cold water until the glass is full.
Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
Add ice.
Shake thoroughly.
Empty your glass of the water and ice.
Strain the contents of the shaker into your glass.
Garnish with three coffee beans.
One Final Tip
Mentis shares a final tip for those making the cocktail at home: Use a coffee machine to make your 25ml espresso if possible. Instant coffee can work, but then only use three quarters of a teaspoon. And, if you can wait that long, allow either form of espresso to turn into a cold brew by resting it in the fridge overnight.
An Espresso Martini is sure to make you feel chic and sophisticated while giving you that carefree kick you’re after. This is one trend you simply must give a go!
