espresso martini

recipes

Happy Hour: Espresso Martini

What could be better, one might ask, than a spiked coffee drink?

Espresso MartiniWhat could be better, one might ask, than a spiked coffee drink? After all, you're not forced to choose between coffee or alcohol; it's the best of both worlds. And while I love an Irish coffee on a cold Winter day, my favorite drink in this department is, hands down, the espresso martini.

Credit goes to Bouchon Las Vegas, the first place where I had an impeccable version of the drink. At its best, an espresso martini should be nutty and ever-so-slightly bitter, offset by a little sweetness. It should have an impossibly silky-smooth finish.

I've been making an awful lot of them at home lately; when my stomach's not in the mood to digest cream, I'll substitute soy-based creamer, which works like a charm. For the incredibly basic, two-part recipe, keep reading.

drink

Happy Hour: Espresso Martini

My guy is addicted, and I mean ADDICTED to coffee (in fact, we had to lose the microwave to make room for the espresso machine).

My guy is addicted, and I mean ADDICTED to coffee (in fact, we had to lose the microwave to make room for the espresso machine). When we go out he's always looking for a drink that involves coffee, Kahlua, espresso, etc. So yesterday, when I asked him to choose a drink for today's happy hour, it really should have come as no surprise when he said, "how about an Espresso Martini?"

Go figure! But, at least he's got good taste and found a delicious recipe for all of us.

Espresso Martini
From Drinks Mixer

1 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz Kahlua (or any other coffee liqueur)
1 oz Bailey's Irish cream
3 oz espresso - the stronger the better!

Brew espresso fresh.
Pour into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes and add other ingredients.
Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.