History:
This classic Espresso Martini cocktail invention goes to British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionizing the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s, through his work at bars such as the Player, 6 Degrees and Match.
The story goes that Bradsell created the drink originally called The Vodka Espresso at Fred’s Club in the late 1980s. A young model who Bradsell claimed that was world famous at that time, walked up to the bar and asked him to make her something that would “wake me up and f**k me up” those being her exact words. Bradsell’s solution as a bartender was a combination of vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar, shaken into a frothy mix of bittersweet addiction that we enjoy till this day.
The three coffee beans used as a garnish for the Espresso Martini is the cocktail’s trademark and are said to represent health, wealth and happiness and come from the traditional serving of Sambuca in Italy. You can chew and eat the coffee beans in the Espresso Martini, but it is a personal choice.
Recipe and Method:
1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add 50ml of Vodka, 25ml of Coffee liqueur, 25ml strong espresso and 10ml of sugar syrup.
3. Shake hard for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
4. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
