Espresso Martini Recipe

Valentine’s day is just around the corner and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like wining and dining in a romantic candlelit restaurant is going to be an option this year. So we’ve been trying to think of ways to make this day a little more special than every other Sunday since the beginning of this year.  

Naturally, coffee recipes always tend to come to mind (it helps that we’re usually cradling our own mug of Presto coffee whilst trying to think of these ideas!). So that’s how we came up with the idea of sharing our favourite Espresso Martini recipe. The espresso mixed with the sweet and creamy Kahlúa and a shot of vodka produces a magical rich flavour that is unlike any other cocktail on the market. When you shake it altogether, you are left with a caffeinated drink that tastes surprisingly balanced with the right ratios of booze, coffee and sugar. It’s often a lethal combination, so we offer this recipe with a polite warning to drink these responsibly - although you might be tempted to knock them back one after the other as they’re so drinkable.

Now, not many of us have the luxury of an at-home bartender, but we promise, this recipe doesn’t require any expert skills or knowledge, it’s super easy!


All you need to start is

  • Cocktail shaker (or something suitable for shaking liquids in!) 
  • A strainer
  • A nice glass to serve your Espresso Martini in

Ingredients

  • Ice Cubes
  • 40 ml Vodka
  • 20 ml Kahlúa
  • 20 ml Espresso
  • 3 Whole Coffee Beans (to garnish)

STEP 1

Put 2 martini glasses in the fridge to chill and make a shot of espresso (don’t have an espresso maker? -  20ml of strong coffee should do the trick!). Leave the espresso to cool down before using to avoid the ice diluting. 


STEP 2

In the cocktail shaker add a handful of ice cubes, vodka, espresso and Kahlúa. Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels icy cold. 


STEP 3

Grab your strainer and strain into the chilled glasses. Garnish each one with coffee beans if you like.


Presto Top Tip: We cannot stress how important a good quality, well-made shot of espresso is to this recipe. Our favourite coffee to use for this Espresso Martini Recipe is our Italian Espresso blend - it works perfectly and tastes delicious! Make sure you choose your favourite blend of coffee when making your cocktail. Whether you like a dark nutty roast or a sweeter light blend, your espresso martini will taste according to the coffee you choose to include!

So there you have it, a delectable recipe, perfect for a romantic night in with your loved one or a night at home with your housemates. We know this might not be the valentines day you had hoped for this year, but we hope there’s some joy in making what could be a normal Sunday night on the sofa to something a little more special.


A little bit of history about the Espresso Martini: 

We did a little research into the history of this delicious cocktail and discovered that legendary bartender Dick Bradsell is the man responsible for this tasty concoction. Legend has it, he invented the popular Espresso Martini when a supermodel walked up to him and uttered the famous words “Can you please make something that will wake me up and then f**k me up?". 

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