Espresso Martini:
Recipe & Tips for the Popular Coffee Cocktail

Sure, here is the translation with the HTML tags preserved: The Espresso Martini – an elegant cocktail with a powerful coffee flavor that has been conquering bars around the world since the 80s. With this Espresso Martini recipe and the intense aroma of Nespresso, you can make the perfect Espresso Martini at home. Simple, stylish, and irresistibly delicious – rediscover the classic!

Table of Content

1. Espresso Martini Ingredients
2. The Espresso Martini Preparation
3. Espresso Martini Variations: Discover Your Favorite Flavor
4. The History of the Espresso Martini: From Vodka Espresso to Cult Drink
5. Frequently Asked Questions about the Espresso Martini

For a high-quality Espresso Martini, you will need the following ingredients

Espresso: 40 ml, freshly brewed. Nespresso capsules are excellent as they provide a consistently intense aroma and perfect crema.

Vodka: 40 ml, high quality. The quality of the vodka significantly influences the taste of the cocktail.

Coffee liqueur: 20 ml, high quality. A good coffee liqueur rounds off the taste and contributes to the formation of the characteristic foam crown.

Sugar syrup: 5 ml of sugar syrup is usually sufficient. If you prefer it sweeter, feel free to use more.

Ice cubes: Three ice cubes for cooling and shaking.

Decoration: 3 espresso beans. Traditionally, they symbolize luck, prosperity, and health.

Corto: A strong and expressive small coffee with just a delicate hint of sweetness. Enjoy its velvety texture and lingering finish.

Ristretto: This intense espresso (intensity 10) is the quintessence of Italian coffee tradition. With its full body, bright fruit notes, and fine acidity, the Ispirazione Italiana Ristretto gives your Espresso Martini a powerful and aromatic base. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans ensures a complex taste experience.

Decaffeinated enjoyment with Ristretto Decaffeinato: The decaffeinated version of the Ristretto offers the same intense aroma and characteristic fruit notes. Enjoy a full-bodied Espresso Martini without caffeine, without having to forgo the authentic Italian taste. Ideal for an Espresso Martini late in the evening.

Nespresso Il Caffè: This exceptionally intense espresso (intensity 11) delights with a velvety taste and roasted cereal aromas. The blend of Vietnamese and Indian Robustas with a hint of Colombian Arabica gives your Espresso Martini a special depth and complexity. A true delight for lovers of intense coffee aromas.

Decaffeinated enjoyment with Nespresso Altissio Decaffeinato: This decaffeinated espresso (intensity 9) impresses with its full-bodied, strong taste and creamy texture. The blend of South American Arabicas and Robustas, refined with a soft cereal note, ensures a balanced Espresso Martini without caffeine. Ideal for those who want to enjoy a delicious cocktail in the evening.

Experiment with the different Nespresso varieties and find your personal favorite for your Espresso Martini!

The Espresso Martini Preparation

The Espresso Martini is quick and easy to prepare. Follow this step-by-step guide to enjoy the cocktail.

Prepare the Glass (Cooling)
Fill a martini glass or another elegant cocktail glass with ice cubes. This cools the glass so that your Espresso Martini does not warm up too quickly later. Alternatively, you can place the glass in the freezer beforehand.

Prepare the Espresso
Prepare an espresso with your Nespresso machine. For example, use the Nespresso Ristretto. Freshly brewed espresso is crucial for the best taste – so prepare it now and do not chill it in advance.

Shake the Cocktail
Place three large ice cubes in your cocktail shaker. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso. Close the shaker well and shake it vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. Shaking creates the characteristic, fine-pored foam of the espresso cocktail.

Serve the Espresso Martini
Remove the ice cubes from the espresso martini glass. Hold a bar strainer over the opening of the shaker and carefully pour the cocktail into the chilled glass. This prevents ice chips from getting into your drink.

Decoration

Finally, place three espresso beans on the Espresso Martini foam. This traditional decoration gives the espresso cocktail the finishing touch and symbolizes luck, prosperity, and health.

The Secret to the Perfect Espresso Martini Foam

The fine-pored, velvety foam is the hallmark of a successful Espresso Martini. It not only contributes to the appearance but also to the taste experience.

Shaken - not stirred
The secret lies in proper shaking. The combination of cold, movement, and air bubbles ensures the desired consistency of the foam. Stirring, on the other hand, does not create the necessary airy foam.

The Role of Coffee Liqueur
Coffee liqueur plays an important role in foam formation for the Espresso Martini. Its sugar content gives the foam stability and ensures that it does not collapse immediately. Therefore, make sure to use a high-quality coffee liqueur.

Clean Utensils
Use only clean and dry utensils for preparation. Residues of fat or detergent in the shaker or glass can impair foam formation.

Espresso Martini Variations: Discover Your Favorite Flavor

Alcohol-Free Espresso Martini:
For a delicious alcohol-free Espresso Martini, replace the vodka and coffee liqueur with alcohol-free alternatives. For example, you can use alcohol-free gin or vodka instead of regular vodka.

For the coffee liqueur substitute, coffee syrup, espresso syrup, or a mix of strong coffee and sugar syrup are suitable. Adjust the sweetness to your liking. Shaking with ice in the shaker also creates a nice foam here. This way, your Espresso Martini becomes alcohol-free.

Espresso Martini with Different Coffee Liqueurs:
You can also vary the coffee liqueur. In addition to classic coffee liqueurs, there are variants with vanilla, caramel, or chocolate notes. Experiment and discover new flavor combinations.

Espresso Martini with a Hint of ...
Refine your Espresso Martini with an additional note. A few drops of vanilla extract, a splash of orange zest, or a hint of cinnamon can give the cocktail a special touch.

Let your creativity run wild and mix your very own Espresso Martini!

span id="four">The History of the Espresso Martini: From Vodka Espresso to Cult Drink

The Espresso Martini, a classic in the cocktail world, has a fascinating origin story closely tied to the vibrant nightlife of London. Its roots go back to the 1980s, specifically to a legendary club on Old Compton Street.

The legend says that a famous model – some stories mention Kate Moss, others Naomi Campbell – walked into the bar and asked for a drink that would give them a "kick," as invigorating as an espresso. Since both models were underage at the time, it is speculated that it was another woman. An alternative version of the story names Marie Helvin, a successful model of her time, as the true inspiration behind the famous cocktail.

The bartender, Dick Bradsell, took on the challenge and quickly mixed vodka, coffee liqueur, and freshly brewed espresso. The result was an exciting new cocktail initially known as "Vodka Espresso." By serving it in elegant martini glasses, the drink soon received its current name: Espresso Martini. From London, the cocktail with espresso began its triumphal march around the world and quickly became a staple of bar culture.

Today, decades later, it is still a popular classic, appreciated for its exciting taste and elegant presentation. And with the consistently high quality of Nespresso espresso, you can effortlessly achieve the authentic aroma that makes this cocktail so special.