The espresso martini is my all-around favorite cocktail. If you ask me, there’s never a bad time for this classic, coffee-inspired cocktail. With National Espresso Martini day approaching on March 15, we all have an excuse (though we didn’t need one) to enjoy this amazing cocktail. Over the years, I’ve learned that your espresso martini is truly only as good as the quality of the espresso you use. Heidi Rasmussen, illy’s Senior Manager of Quality Assurance and Education, says like any recipe — the quality of ingredients you use in your espresso matter. With espresso at center stage, Rasmussen shares how to find quality espresso to use in your next espresso martini.
What makes a high-quality espresso
“Like most things in the market. There are different levels of quality. Quality of the beans is paramount,” says Rasmussen. “Choose 100% high quality Arabica coffee for the best flavor. Espresso is prepared traditionally with a blend which creates a complex balanced coffee.” Rasmussen also reminds home Baristas that consistent preparation following the prescribed parameters is key, which means following the coffee company’s brewing standards and parameters; proper coffee to water ratio, temperature, grinding degree (which determines extraction times), liquid volume, and good preparation standards.”
Of course, using a pod or capsule-style system is also an option for easier, consistent espresso (though you make sacrifice ability to choose single-origin coffee beans). And don’t forget that the quality of the water you use matters too. Always use clean, fresh water and well maintained, clean equipment.
Bean origin and blend composition
Bean origin and blend composition can also influence the flavor of your espresso martini. According to Rasmussen, these factors may seem small but actually make a tremendous impact.
“Single origin coffees have some very specific flavor characteristics based on the variety and where it is grown. Espresso preparation will highlight the main characteristic in a coffee. For example, a Guatemalan coffee might highlight predominant chocolate notes, a Colombian citrus notes. These single highlighted characteristics of single origins may not result is a classic espresso martini profile. I cannot say if it is good or bad, just different. Blends combine different coffee’s creating additional complexity and balance and are at the center of the classic espresso martini,” she shares.
It may also be tempting to use cold brew as a shortcut for your espresso martini, but Rasmussen advises against this. “Cold brew is not the same preparation as espresso, so the final profile is different than an espresso martini. Generally, cold brew it has a lighter coffee presence less depth and depending on the cold brew, little or no foam. They are 2 different drinks.”
Making the best espresso martini
Recreating a quality espresso martini at home is easy when you start with high-quality espresso properly prepared as well as high-quality alcohol. “Follow the recipe measurements carefully and you cannot go wrong. Most espresso martini recipes are simple,” says Rasmussen.
The classic has espresso, vodka and either coffee or espresso liqueur shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass. For a fun twist, she also recommends trying it with Bourbon instead of vodka or using different liqueurs like licorice or Cointreau for unique variations. As for a chosen coffee roast for espresso, she recommends illycaffe Classico for a balanced flavor between bitter and acidity with some really nice notes of soft chocolate and roasted nuts, as well as light floral and sweet citrus.
