Do you love coffee and cocktails? Then you should try an espresso martini with gin, a twist on the classic drink that uses gin instead of vodka for a more complex and botanical flavor.
This is easy and fast, so let’s dive straight into it.
In this blog post we will look at the following:
Why You Should Try Espresso Martini with Gin
The espresso martini is a popular cocktail that was invented in the 1980s by a British bartender who mixed vodka, espresso, and coffee liqueur for a famous model. It is a great drink for coffee lovers, as it is strong, smooth, rich, and delicious.
However, if you want to take your espresso martini to the next level, you should try it with gin instead of vodka. Gin is a distilled spirit infused with various botanicals, such as juniper berries, coriander, citrus peel, and more.
These botanicals complement the rich and bitter notes of the espresso and the sweet and smooth notes of the coffee liqueur. The result is a balanced and sophisticated cocktail that will make you feel like a master mixologist.
Gin also adds a more complex and nuanced flavor to the espresso martini, as different brands and types of gin have different profiles and characteristics. For example, London dry gin is crisp and dry, while Old Tom gin is sweeter and smoother. You can experiment with different gins and find your favorite one for this drink.
How to Make Espresso Martini with Gin
Making an espresso martini with gin is easy and fun. You only need four ingredients: gin, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. Here are the 4 steps to follow:
- Brew a shot of espresso and let it cool completely. You can use any type of espresso machine or maker, as long as it produces a strong and flavorful coffee. See my L’OR Barista System Coffee And Espresso Machine Review
- In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz of gin, 1 oz of coffee liqueur, 1 oz of espresso, and 0.5 oz of simple syrup. You can adjust the ratios according to your taste and preference.
- Shake very hard for 30 seconds. This will create a nice frothy layer on top of the drink, which is one of the signature features of the espresso martini.
- Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass. You can use a fine mesh strainer or a cocktail strainer to filter out any ice chips or coffee grounds.
- Garnish with three coffee beans or an orange twist. The coffee beans represent health, happiness, and prosperity, while the orange twist adds a touch of freshness and color.
How to Spice Up Your Espresso Martini with Gin
If you want to make your espresso martini with gin even more decadent and indulgent, you can add some extra ingredients or flavors to spice it up. Here are some ideas:
- Espresso Martini with Gin and Baileys Irish cream: See under
- Almond or vanilla extract: Almond and vanilla are two flavors that go well with coffee and gin. They add a subtle and aromatic note to the drink, making it more complex and interesting. To make an espresso martini with gin and almond or vanilla extract, simply add a few drops of the extract to the shaker along with the other ingredients and follow the same steps as above. You can also use almond or vanilla-flavored simple syrups instead of the plain ones.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a warm and spicy spice that adds a cozy and festive vibe to the drink. It also enhances the flavor of the coffee and the gin, making them more pronounced and intense. To make an espresso martini with gin and cinnamon, simply add a pinch of ground cinnamon to the shaker along with the other ingredients and follow the same steps as above. You can also use a cinnamon stick as a garnish or a stirrer for your drink.
Espresso Martini with Gin and Baileys
If you want to make your espresso martini with gin even more decadent and indulgent, you can add a splash of Baileys Irish cream. Baileys is a creamy liqueur that is made with Irish whiskey, cream, and chocolate. It adds a smooth and velvety texture and a hint of sweetness to the drink.
How to make a Espresso Martini with Gin and Baileys
To make an espresso martini with gin and Baileys, simply replace the simple syrup with 0.5 oz of Baileys and follow the same steps as above. You can also drizzle some chocolate syrup on the inside of the glass for an extra touch of chocolatey goodness.
Read also my Recipe for Irish Coffee.
Why Is There No Martini in an Espresso Martini?
You might be wondering: Why Is There No Martini in an Espresso Martini? Well, a classic martini is a blend of gin or vodka with dry vermouth, stirred with ice and strained into a chilled glass, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist.
The answer is that the espresso martini is not a true martini, but a variation of the vodka martini, which is also known as a kangaroo cocktail. A vodka martini is simply a martini that uses vodka instead of gin, and it is one of the most popular cocktails in the world.
The espresso martini is a further adaptation of the vodka martini, adding espresso and coffee liqueur for a caffeinated kick.
The espresso martini is one of many drinks that incorporate the term martini into their names, even though they have little or nothing to do with the original cocktail.
These drinks are usually served in a martini glass, which is a V-shaped stemmed glass that can hold between 4 and 10 oz of liquid. The shape of the glass is designed to keep the drink cold and prevent the ingredients from separating.
Why Is There No Martini in an Espresso Martini – Reason
The reason why these drinks are called martinis is mostly for marketing purposes, as the name martini evokes a sense of sophistication, elegance, and glamour. The name martini also allows for creativity and experimentation, as bartenders and drinkers can invent new combinations and flavors using different spirits, liqueurs, juices, syrups, and garnishes. The name martini also appeals to a wider audience, as some people may find the classic martini too strong, dry, or bitter for their taste.
However, not everyone is a fan of these martini variations, especially the purists and the traditionalists who prefer the classic recipe. Some critics argue that these drinks are too sweet, too diluted, too artificial, or too gimmicky, and that they disrespect the history and the essence of the martini. Some critics also claim that these drinks are not real cocktails, but rather mixed drinks or shooters that are meant to be consumed quickly and carelessly.
Whether you love them or hate them, these martini variations are here to stay, and they reflect the diversity and the evolution of the cocktail culture. The espresso martini is one of the most successful and notorious examples of these variations, and it has earned its place in the cocktail hall of fame. So, the next time you order or make an espresso martini, remember that it is not a martini, but a delicious and unique drink that deserves its own name and recognition.
More About the Botanicals in Gin
As I mentioned earlier, gin is a distilled spirit that is infused with various botanicals, such as juniper berries, coriander, citrus peel, and more. These botanicals give gin its distinctive flavor and aroma, and they also make it a versatile and interesting base for cocktails.
- Juniper: The key botanical in gin, juniper gives it its piney, resinous, and slightly fruity flavor. Juniper is also the source of the name gin, which comes from the Dutch word for juniper, genever.
- Coriander: Next to juniper, coriander is the most common botanical in gin. Coriander seeds add a citrusy, spicy, and floral note to the gin, and they also enhance the flavor of the juniper.
- Angelica: Angelica root is often used as a base or a filler in gin, as it adds a woody, earthy, and slightly bitter flavor. Angelica also helps to bind the other botanicals together and create a smooth and balanced gin.
- Citrus: Citrus fruits, such as lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, and bergamot, are often used to add a fresh, zesty, and tangy flavor to the gin. Citrus also helps to balance the bitterness of the juniper and the sweetness of the other botanicals.
- Orris: Orris root is the dried root of the iris flower, and it is often used as a fixative in gin, as it helps to preserve and stabilize the flavor and aroma of the other botanicals. Orris also adds a subtle floral and powdery note to the gin.
Some of the other botanicals that are used in gin are:
- Cassia: Cassia bark is a type of cinnamon that adds a warm, spicy, and sweet flavor to the gin. Cassia also enhances the flavor of the citrus and the coriander in the gin.
- Cardamom: Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and it adds a complex and aromatic flavor to the gin. Cardamom has notes of citrus, mint, pepper, and ginger, and it also adds a cooling effect to the gin.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a spice that adds a nutty, woody, and slightly sweet flavor to the gin. Nutmeg also complements the flavor of the juniper and the coriander in the gin.
- Licorice: Licorice root is a sweet and bitter botanical that adds a smooth and creamy texture and a hint of anise flavor to the gin. Licorice also helps to balance the sweetness and the bitterness of the other botanicals in the gin.
- Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant and floral botanical that adds a soothing and relaxing flavor to the gin. Lavender also pairs well with the citrus and the juniper in the gin.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is a herb that adds a piney, woody, and savory flavor to the gin. Rosemary also enhances the flavor of the coffee and the gin, making them more robust and aromatic.
- These are just some of the botanicals that can be found in gin, but there are many more that can be used to create different styles and expressions of gin. Some gins use local or exotic botanicals, such as saffron, lemongrass, cucumber, or seaweed, to create unique and distinctive flavors. Some gins also use different methods of infusion, such as vapor infusion, cold infusion, or maceration, to extract different levels of flavor and intensity from the botanicals.
- The botanicals in gin are what make it a versatile and interesting base for cocktails, as they can create different combinations and contrasts with other ingredients. For example, the botanicals in gin can complement the coffee and the coffee liqueur in the espresso martini, creating a perfect pairing of coffee and botanicals
Coffee Variety: Central America and Caribbean Coffee brands
Conclusion – Making Espresso Martini with Gin
The espresso martini with gin is a delicious and elegant cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you need a pick-me-up after a long day, a treat for a special night, or a festive drink for a party, this drink will not disappoint.
It is easy to make, fun to drink, and sure to impress. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your gin, espresso, and coffee liqueur, and shake up a storm.