Was surprised that many recipes on youtube said not to use fresh espresso. I had good freshly roasted beans so I wanted to try anyway. Turned out better than most high end bars Ive tried this at around here.
It may have helped to pour espresso over ice before adding vodka or kahlua, wish I had gotten a photo before the crema settled!
by Amazing_Trace
31 Comments
The issue is as you suggested, having HOT espresso. Even room temperature works, but hot is a no-no. I do mine this way as well as it’s worlds better than at a typical bar. Also, I highly recommend Mr. Black and adding simple syrup to taste. Most espresso martinis are coyingly sweet.
I keep hearing about this “espresso martini,” what’s in it exactly, and why’s it so popular?
I heard it was difficult to get good foam, I used fresh espresso and shook the hell out of it, got 90% foam 10% liquid 🤣 Homemade beats bar, every bar martini I got was way too sweet.
You’re right they say use cold pressed coffee or something like that. I just make the usual double and place in the freezer for a while then its good to go
I would argue it’s better than all the bars.
I made my wife and I one the other day with fresh beans as well and damn it was indeed the best tasting espresso martini we’ve ever had.
I make mine with fresh hot espresso poured on ice. Then whiskey (or maple whiskey) – because I find vodka or gin boring for this cocktail. Then quality coffee liqueur. Shake it like crazy and you’ll always get a lot of foam.
ALWAYS disregard anybody saying to use instant, drip coffee or anything but a fresh espresso.
Always fresh espresso. If it’s not, its being sent back
Fresh espresso into a cocktail shaker with some ice cubes. Simple.
i have to think that anyone recommending pre-made espresso are getting stuck on the method a bartender would use. It’s in their best interest to use pre-made espresso because it would be stupid time consuming to brew an ounce for every one of the thousand espresso martinis the schlepp per day. Anywho… I have never ever ever ever done that. It’s brewed fresh for years and years and like the OP stated, better than any EM i’ve had at any bar.
ETA: Shaker, Ice, Vodka (2oz), Homemade Cardamom & Cinnamon simple syrup (.5oz), regular shot of espresso. Shake to heck, pour into gimlet.
They mean don’t use HOT espresso, as in freshly pulled.
I honestly have switched to a recipe that uses both fresh espresso (pulled over ice) and Mr. Black, and believe it or not, a citrus forward gin.
– 36-40ml espresso
– 1 1/3 oz gin
– 2/3 oz Mr. Black
– 0.5 oz simple syrup
Garnish with coffee beans and/or dust with a line of finely ground coffee.
Ok hear me out, this is strange, but I swear I didn’t make it up, it’s a thing. I tried it, and its… Good? Make your espresso martini, and then shave some parmesan on top.
Who’s they ?
Btw I just used:
double shot espresso : kamora : vodka
In a 1:1:1 ounce ratio, I poured espresso right way over the ice in the shaker, followed by other two.
shaken together with lots of ice for good 30 seconds.
topped with some beans for garnish!
recipe? i tried a recipe out of a book and it was terrible
Really? that’s weird Im pretty sure the original one uses 1 double shot of fresh made espresso the only reason is not used on bars is convenience but at home and having the equipment there’s no reason to don’t do it
Just do cold brew coffee. Easy as fuck and you won’t taste difference really. Water, tea bags with coffee, 48 hours in the fridge. Lasts for 3 weeeks approx
I just got my espresso setup Friday, and made my first espresso martini last night. I did a double shot with 2oz vodka and 2oz chocolate Bailey’s.
I saw recipes using coffee liquor, but we’re already getting the coffee flavor from the espresso. Thoughts on omitting it? I also got some Chambord to try a raspberry espresso martini tonight, curious if it’ll be any good or if it’ll be too sweet.
Half-related question: are roasted coffee beans edible or will they crack your teeth?
Certain espresso beans (not all!) absolutely can get “better” after a couple weeks of resting in a sealed container. Follow the roasters instructions or if you are the roaster and you find a bean unpleasant while fresh, try letting it rest for a week or two you might be surprised.
Two words: reposado tequila
“Fresh” as in hot, not the best idea. It melts the ice too fast. But fresh then chilled and shaken hard gets you the good foamy texture
Fresh espresso for sure… try Mr Black for the liqueur
At the bar I work at, I bring my machine in and make fresh espresso for service. People tell me it’s the best espresso martini they’ve ever had.
I just go with espresso, simple syrup, vodka, ice.
I forgo other additions, notably:
1) Mr Black. Ingredients: Coffee (lots), vodka, sugar. Why add someone else’s blend of the same ingredients? I don’t get this one.
2) Kahlua. Ingredients: Coffee, rum, sugar (lots), vanilla. Too sweet for my liking, but at least it introduces some unique flavors with the rum and vanilla. Still, whenever I add this at all, the sugar overpowers the drink.
I like using Vanilla vodka in my espresso martinis. Delicious
I always use fresh espresso but I find the drink works better with a darker roast than I normally drink. I keep darker roast beans in the freezer for this use case only.
This is the first post I’ve seen in this group that wasn’t someone needing to show their conspicuous spending and dopamine addiction to buying new espresso gear.
Not a real espresso martini w/o fresh real espresso. Such a taste difference and so annoying when bars do this. Deadass, stopped going to a few bars just cause they used premade or infused espresso.
I let mine cool down to room temperature in the fridge for a bit, and then shake over ice with the rest of the ingredients and omg, it’s the best espresso martini I’ve had. And I like to judge places on their espresso martinis! Yours looks great 🤤
Bartender here. Whoever told you that is crazy. Always fresh espresso. 2 oz vodka and 3/4 oz simple syrup with roughly 1 oz of freshly made espresso is the best espresso martini every time. I hate when people put espresso liqueur in them. Just give half a fuck about the shot you pull and it’s completely redundant.