🥃 Espresso Martini
Cocktail of vodka, coffee liqueur, sugar syrup and fresh espresso; created in London by bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s and listed by the IBA in the New Era category.
Espresso Martini is a cocktail made from vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed espresso, shaken with ice and served in a chilled glass with three coffee beans. Despite the name, there is no vermouth or gin in it: “Martini” refers to the glass. The International Bartenders Association (IBA) classifies it in the “New Era” category.
IBA recipe. 50 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlúa coffee liqueur, 10 ml sugar syrup and one shot of strong espresso are shaken with ice and strained into the glass. Difford's Guide uses other proportions: 45 ml vodka, 30 ml coffee and 20 ml coffee liqueur, for example Galliano Espresso.
History. The cocktail was invented by London bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie on Old Compton Street. It began as a Vodka Espresso served over ice; sources give different years, from 1983 to 1985. In 1997 it was first served in a stemmed glass at the Match EC1 bar, and in 1998 Bradsell renamed the drink Pharmaceutical Stimulant.
How much alcohol. By Difford's Guide's calculation, a serving is about 18.6% ABV and contains roughly 19 g of pure alcohol, or 1.4 standard drinks. Coffee does not make the cocktail weaker: it contains as much alcohol as the vodka and liqueur poured into the shaker.
Why this matters to you. The espresso martini combines alcohol with caffeine, so feeling alert after it does not mean you are sober, and you must not drive after it. A non-alcoholic alternative is cold coffee. WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| Raw material | vodka, coffee liqueur (Kahlúa), sugar syrup, espresso (IBA recipe) |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | about 18.6% ABV in the finished cocktail; ≈ 19 g of pure alcohol (Difford's Guide) |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Espresso Martini → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- ☕ Coffee, 🥃 Kahlúa
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 British
- Part of
- 🍸 Vodka
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Galliano Espresso, 🥃 Alexander, 🥃 Bloody Mary
Frequently asked questions
Is there really a martini in an espresso martini?
No. There is no vermouth or gin in it; the word “Martini” refers to the glass in which the cocktail is served.
Who invented the Espresso Martini?
London bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie; depending on the source, in 1983–1985, first under the name Vodka Espresso.
What is the IBA recipe?
50 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlúa, 10 ml sugar syrup and one strong espresso; shake with ice and garnish with three coffee beans.
How much alcohol is in one serving?
According to Difford's Guide, about 19 g of pure alcohol, roughly 18.6% ABV in the finished cocktail.
What can replace the coffee liqueur?
Another coffee liqueur: the IBA uses Kahlúa, Difford's Guide uses Galliano Espresso.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🧑🤝🧑 British — People of Great Britain; their protected West Country Cheddar matures for at least 9 months, and tea is drunk with milk.
- 🥃 Alexander — Classic creamy cocktail: gin, crème de cacao and cream, with grated nutmeg; the Brandy Alexander is the version made with cognac or brandy.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
- 🥃 Bloody Mary — A classic cocktail of vodka and tomato juice with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, celery salt and pepper; listed by the IBA as a contemporary classic.
Similar
🥃 Cosmopolitan · 🥃 Bloody Mary · 🥃 Eggnog · 🥃 Angel Face · 🥃 Bramble · 🍵 Tea with milk
Sources
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Espresso Martini (New Era): 50 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlúa, 10 ml sugar syrup, 1 strong espresso; shake, strain into chilled cocktail glass; garnish 3 coffee beans
- Difford's Guide: Espresso Martini — Vodka Espresso c. 1983 by Dick Bradsell, Soho Brasserie, Old Compton Street; served up at Match 1997; renamed Pharmaceutical Stimulant 1998; 18.57 % alc., 18.9 g alcohol, 1.4 standard drinks
- Punch: How the Espresso Martini became a modern classic — Soho Brasserie; Beatrice Bradsell dates it closer to 1985; first on a menu at Match EC1 (opened September 1997); Pharmaceutical Stimulant 1998–2003
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)