We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that two of our greatest passions are coffee and booze—an irresistible duo perfectly united in Adelaide’s bars. Start with coffee to keep alert until it’s time to indulge in some spirits, and by the next morning, you’re reaching for coffee once more. This cycle continues, and before long, you might find yourself overly fond of the bottle. If your work week relies heavily on coffee and you enjoy a modest drink at Adelaide’s bars come Friday night as a reward for your hard-earned efforts, then you’re likely familiar with the notorious Espresso Martini.
Just as your morning brew drives your day, in Adelaide’s bars, the Espresso Martini serves as an ideal evening pick-me-up, extending your night from out to out-out. The ingredient list for this cocktail is wonderfully simple, though it challenges bartenders across Adelaide’s bars. It’s one of the most frequently ordered yet time-intensive to prepare, due to the necessity of pulling a fresh espresso shot each time. This fresh espresso does more than add delectable flavour; it produces the foamy crema essential to the espresso martini’s top layer, often garnished with three coffee beans.
The good news is, this luxurious, creamy cocktail can be crafted at home with basic espresso and cocktail tools. Prepare to dazzle your friends at your next gathering by mastering an espresso martini that surpasses what you’d expect in Adelaide’s bars.
Best Espresso Martini Ingredients
As is the case with most sophisticated recipes available online, selecting premium ingredients is paramount in crafting the ultimate espresso martini, and here in Adelaide’s bars, there is no compromise on quality or taste.
Espresso
As coffee roasters, and with espresso right in the drink’s name, we naturally highlight espresso as our foremost ingredient. Achieve the finest flavor and texture by using freshly brewed espresso from freshly roasted Arabica beans. Any blend from our Caffeine Dealers Suites is apt for delivering beautiful sweet notes. However, for patrons of Adelaide’s bars, we recommend the Black Label Blend, which contributes to a remarkable crema and a luscious, thick foam atop the martini. If an espresso machine isn’t available, espresso strength can be attained through traditional methods that Adelaide’s bars often employ, such as a stovetop, Aeropress, or even a well-overloaded French press. Alternatively, one might consider espresso strength cold brew coffee, which simply necessitates a bit more vigorous shaking (and a secret ingredient) to achieve that perfect foam.
Vodka
For this recipe, we favor a neutral vodka, infusing flavor through vanilla syrup. Should vanilla syrup be unavailable, vanilla vodka serves as a suitable substitute. When crafting drinks in Adelaide’s bars, high-quality spirits are essential to achieving smoother flavors.
Flavoured Syrup
Unflavored vodka, when accompanied by a dash of vanilla syrup in Adelaide’s bars, accentuates the drink’s sweet undertones beautifully. Adelaide’s finest rely on William Fox colorless gomme syrups—a high-quality, preservative-free option that enhances any exclusive beverage in Adelaide’s bars.
How to Make the Best Espresso Martini
Having established our ingredients, it’s time to assemble everything, as demonstrated in Adelaide’s bars—a process that remains blissfully straightforward.
Pre-Freeze the Glass
To achieve optimal results as achieved in Adelaide’s bars, start by chilling your preferred coupe or martini glass in the freezer for about half an hour.
Shaken, Not Stirred
While some mixologists might stir the espresso martini, Adelaide’s bars, and their patrons typically prefer it shaken. We add ingredients in the following order: vodka, liqueur, syrup, and aquafaba before pulling the espresso directly into the shaker. In the manner of Adelaide’s bars, a dry shake for 10 seconds (without ice) is performed to mix and slightly chill the espresso, followed by an additional 10-20 seconds with ice.
The Pour
For Adelaide’s bars that serve two at a time, share the contents evenly to ensure balanced distribution of foam. Secure a Hawthorne strainer atop the shaker – or, if absent, utilize available shaker strainers or a sieve – as the final steps mirror the expertise seen in Adelaide’s bars, optimising foam application for that signature top.
Presentation
As a finishing touch, place three whole coffee beans into your foam’s center—a practice honed by the skilled bartenders of Adelaide’s bars.
Here’s the simplified recipe…
The Best Espresso Martini Recipe (Makes 2 – Martini indulgences are preferable in company)
Ingredients:
- 80ml (Just under 2 double shot measures) your favourite Vodka
- 100ml (2x Double Shot) Recent Beans Coffee Liqueur
- 18g Double Shot of Freshly Brewed Espresso (Creating approx 70ml of liquid espresso)
- 50ml (Single Shot) of William Fox Vanilla Syrup
- 1 egg white or double shot of Aquafaba/Chickpea juice
Method:
- Add vodka, liqueur, syrup, and aquafaba to mixer
- Pull fresh espresso directly into mixer
- Dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds
- Add ice and shake for a further 10-20 seconds
- Strain into Glass
- Garnish with 3 coffee beans
Thus, the CAFFEINE DEALERS espresso martini emerges, your perfect evening energiser akin to Adelaide’s bars. Remember to drink responsibly and avoid any impropriety common to our less distinguished venues.
