23 Sep Espresso Martini
Which rum is best for an Espresso Martini?
Depending on your mood, any of the Dos Maderas line will mix well in an Espresso Martini. The original recipe called for Vodka but any light, medium or older cask aged Rum will pair well with the powerful aromas of the coffee and the natural vanilla of these rums will play well together.
About Dos Maderas 5+5
About Dos Maderas 5+5
Dos Maderas 5+5 is a triple cask aged blended rum that spends five years in the Carribean followed by 5 years in Jerez. The time in Jerez aging is split 60/40 between Williams & Humbert Palo Cortado botas and PX botas. The result is a rich confectionary scented rum with plenty of natural baking spices, vanilla, maple, fig and chocolate notes.
Ingredients to make an Espresso Martini
1.5 oz. Dos Maderas 5+5 Rum
.75 oz. Cold Brew Coffee or hot Espresso
.75 oz. Coffee Liqueur (like Kahlua)
.25 oz. Demerara Syrup (1:1)
Espresso Martini Recipe - Step by step how to prepare an Espresso Martini in a shaker
1.
Prepare your Demerara Syrup by dissolving 1 part cane sugar into 1 part boiling water. Let cool.
2.
Chill a V-shaped Martini glass or a Coupe.
3.
Add your hot espresso or cold brew to your shaker
4.
Add your Demerara Syrup to your shaker
5.
Add your Coffee Liqueur & Rum to your shaker
6.
Fill with cracked ice
7.
Shake vigorously for 10 seconds
8.
Strain into your chilled glass
9.
Garnish with 3 coffee beans
History of the Espresso Martini cocktail
The Espresso martini with coffee or Vodka Espresso has a quintessential 1980’s-esque origin story. The bartender-hero, Dick Bradsell of the Soho Brasserie in London, was given a specific request by a supermodel for “something that would wake her up and then fuck her up.” Vodka was the ubiquitous spirit of the era and Red Bull was not a thing yet. One could almost imagine neon backlighting amidst wafts of hairspray in the general atmosphere while Bradsell’s creative juices got flowing. Fast forward to today and it turns out his spur of the moment creation is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Bartenders have active debates about ingredients and substitutions but also love to both knock the recipe as well as knock one or two back, sometimes without any shame. Over time, many recipes found the inclusion of a little vanilla to add better aroma and that oak aged spirits with lots of natural vanillin were perfect to sub in as a base. The Rum version of Martini Espresso, this neon-era vintage recipe is essentially another rung on the cocktail evolutionary ladder, a nod of tribute to the Spanish Carajillo, and does not disappoint its patrons.
Tips for an Espresso Martini Cocktail
Tip 1: In order to retain the natural crema texture of the espresso, even though it may seem counter-intuitive, build and shake your cocktail while it is freshly brewed. Cold Brew coffee subs in well here for that temperature disparity but be sure to use it as fresh as possible for the same textural concern.
Tip 2: When preparing your Demerara syrup, try adding a tsp. of lemon zest to brighten it up.
Tip 3: A proper Espresso Martini is designed to be bittersweet and invigorating. Typical of espresso service from the time period, where one would order a shot and have it accompanied by a sugar cube as well as a lemon twist, add a quick squeeze of lemon oil at the end for the extra aroma.
Tip 4: If you like your coffee more on the bitter side, try leaving out the Demerara Syrup.
Tips for an Espresso Martini Cocktail
Tip 1: In order to retain the natural crema texture of the espresso, even though it may seem counter-intuitive, build and shake your cocktail while it is freshly brewed. Cold Brew coffee subs in well here for that temperature disparity but be sure to use it as fresh as possible for the same textural concern.
Tip 2: When preparing your Demerara syrup, try adding a tsp. of lemon zest to brighten it up.
Tip 3: A proper Espresso Martini is designed to be bittersweet and invigorating. Typical of espresso service from the time period, where one would order a shot and have it accompanied by a sugar cube as well as a lemon twist, add a quick squeeze of lemon oil at the end for the extra aroma.
Tip 4: If you like your coffee more on the bitter side, try leaving out the Demerara Syrup.
Espresso Martini Variations and types
The most common variation is to add either cream or a Cream Liqueur like Baileys. Other riffs include subbing the coffee liqueur element with an amaro like Averna. Also, technically the Rum laden version is already a variation of the original but here are a couple other adaptations.
The addition of a small amount of PX Sherry to this mix harkens of the vogue ice cream flavor from the 1980’s and is delicious.
Tim Wiggins adapts this proprietary concoction with the substitution of Coco Lopez & orgeat syrup for the sweeteners.
Harkening to a more Mediterranean combination of anise liqueurs with coffee, this combination subs in Absinthe as a base and was created by bartender Andy Mil.
FAQ
The key for a good healthy froth is to use freshly brewed espresso or cold brew and to shake very rigorously. The longer your coffee sits, the less crema and body will remain.
The Espresso Martini is quite adaptable spanning the range from Vodka and light rum to darker cask aged rum, tequila and absinthe. The extra notes of barrel spice and vanillin in cask aged rums are a natural choice as many bartenders often add vanilla syrup to their recipes.
Barman Dick Bradsell is on record of having created this cocktail in 1983 at the Soho Brasserie in London.
Cocktails with Dos Maderas 5+5
Sorry, no posts matched your criteria.