My quest for the perfect Espresso Martini

The ingredients are simple: Vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup and espresso. I wanted to explore all my possibilities and try something other than Vodka. Also, why not share some tips with you? Although I am not a bartender, I was taught 2-3 things! Follow me on my quest for the perfect Espresso Martini.

• You will find several recipes online and in books, here is the basic recipe:- 1,5 oz Vodka
  – 1,5 oz freshly poured espresso
  – 0,75 oz Coffee liqueur
  – Fleur de seul
• Personally, I don’t use simple syrup, I like my cocktails unsweetened and the coffee liqueur is sweet enough for me.
• Shake your Espresso Martini for no more than 20 seconds, with a large ice cube. The more you shake, the more you dilute your cocktail. The smaller the ice cubes, the more you dilute. Personally, I shake with a very large cube for 20 seconds, I remove the ice and I reshake.
• Not good with the shaker? You may be missing some nice thick foam. You are allowed to cheat by adding an emulsifier.
• Leave room for your imagination, you can add cardamom, mint, chocolate bitters, as you like.
• Coffee is very important in this cocktail. It must be very fresh, you have to do it at the very last minute.
• You can try with tequila, cognac, brandy, let’s be crazy.
• Add a pinch of fleur de sel!

Now, here are my highly unscientific tests, I can already see the purists arriving and giving me a good smack. The traditional ingredient in the Espresso Martini is of course Vodka, but as I mentioned above… let’s be crazy!

Espresso Rumtini

• 1,5 oz Dark rum, Aged or Black
• 1,5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0,75 oz Coffee liqueur
• Fleur de seul

Espresso Martini with Henri G from La Chaufferie

• 1,5 oz Henri G
• 1,5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0,75 oz Coffee liqueur
• 2 dash walnut bitter Amer Kebek
• Fleur de seul

Espresso Martini with coffee and agave liqueur from Comont

• 1.5 oz Neutral Vodka
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Comont Coffee and Agave Liqueur
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with Amoretto di Wabasso (sweeter)

• 1.5 oz Amoretto di Wabasso
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur (as low in sugar as possible)
• 2 dashes of orange bitters
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with Gin Épicé from Ubald (stronger)

• 1 oz Spiced Gin from Ubald
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur
• 2 dashes of cardamom bitters
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with honey liqueur infused with Miellerie King (sweeter)

• 1.5 oz Neutral Vodka
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Coffee Des Cantons infused honey liqueur
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with Réduit à l’érable from Subversifs (sweeter)

• 1.5 oz Reduced with maple
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur (as low in sugar as possible)
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with Liqueur de Whisky Hera

• 1.5 oz Hera Whiskey Liqueur
• 1.5 oz freshly poured espresso
• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur
• Fleur de sel

Espresso Martini with Amaro

• 1.5oz Amaro
• 1 oz Espresso freshly poured
• 0.75 oz Coffee liqueur
• Fleur de sel

Let me know your favorite! For my part, I am a big fan of 1. Espresso Rumtini, 2. Henri G and 3. Coffee and agave liqueur from Comont. Remember, it’s all a matter of taste! Give it a try and don’t give up on your quest for the perfect Espresso Martini.