In Search of the Ultimate Espresso Martini
We asked 10 of America’s best bartenders to submit their finest recipe for the Espresso Martini—and then blind-tasted them all to find the best of the best.
- story: Robert Simonson
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Patrick Smith’s Espresso Martini
Vanilla liqueur adds a fulsome, candied quality to this version.
- story: Chloe Frechette
- photo: Lizzie Munro
The Espresso Martini Is Back
The caffeinated ’80s drink has returned, and it’s weirder than ever.
- story: Kara Newman
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Stefano D’Orsogna’s Espresso Martini
Stefano D’Orsogna's version features both cold brew coffee liqueur and espresso.
- story: Tatiana Bautista
Vodka’s Unsung Role in the Cocktail Renaissance
As the preferred spirit of the masses, vodka has become the victim of mixology dogma—with some bartenders going so far as to blacklist it from their menus. But the spirit…
- story: Robert Simonson
- photos: Lizzie Munro
Jolt!
This Espresso Martini riff nods to Jolt cola, a super-caffeinated soft drink popular in the 1980s and '90s.
- story: Bianca Prum
Retreat Gastropub’s “Espresso Martini”
Cold-brew supports a base of rum in this unorthodox, tiki-style "Espresso Martini."
- story: Bianca Prum
Frozen Vodka Espresso
This frozen version from the hometown of the original Vodka Espresso showcases a local light-roasted Ethiopian coffee.
- story: Bianca Prum
Espresso Mexicano Martini
Proof that not all Vodka Espressos are made with vodka.
- story: Bianca Prum
When The Lights Go Out
Cold-brew coffee and Aperol are the backbone of this Espresso Martini riff.
- story: Bianca Prum
