What is the Espresso Martini Effect? (2024)

What is the Espresso Martini Effect? (1)

Friday, March 15 is National Espresso Martini Day and, while there’s a food holiday for just about every day on the calendar, this one is worth celebrating — especially since this co*cktail is worthy of celebration.

Like many co*cktails, the origins of the espresso martini come with speculation, but the best story is this one: Back in the 1980s when supermodels ruled the world, bartender Dick Bradsell was working the trendy bars in London’s SoHo neighborhood when one such supermodel (Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss have both been named as possible suspects) asked Bradsell for a co*cktail.

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Bradsell obliged with a drink of coffee mixed with sugar syrup and vodka, shaken up, according to GQ Magazine.

Today, the espresso martini is the second most popular co*cktail, bested only by the Old Fashioned, according to Liquor.com.

The espresso martini is popular because it’s simply a delicious drink: Beautiful to look at (as most martinis are), sweet and smooth, and a sinful mix of caffeine and alcohol. It’s suitable for almost any occasion be it brunch, aperitif, after dinner, or just because.

This brings us to the espresso martini effect that I have witnessed firsthand many times (and have participated in): One person at a table or the bar will order an espresso martini and suddenly everyone wants one.

The phenomenon usually occurs after a meal when it’s time for coffee. One person will opt for an espresso martini instead of a cappuccino and suddenly everyone eschews their caffeine order for the martini. It’s happened to me many times whether I initiate or follow the lead. And, it’s always a good choice.

This leads to the rumor that bartenders hate making espresso martinis. “Only sh*tty bartenders hate making espresso martinis,” says Ben Potts, co-founder of the hospitality consulting firm, Unfiltered Hospitality, adding, “Making one is no different from a lemon drop — just sub lemon for espresso, essentially.”

So go ahead and toast to the espresso martini either at your favorite bar (I promise your bartender is perfectly happy to make one for you).

Or make one at home with this simple recipe.

Traditional Espresso Martini

1 oz J.F. Haden's Espresso Liqueur (or substitute any espresso liqueur)
1 oz cold brew or coffee
1 oz Vodka


Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice.
Add espresso liqueur, cold brew or coffee, and vodka to the shaker.
Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with coffee beans or chocolate shavings, if desired.

What is the Espresso Martini Effect? (2024)

FAQs

What is the espresso martini effect? ›

It's suitable for almost any occasion be it brunch, aperitif, after dinner, or just because. This brings us to the espresso martini effect that I have witnessed firsthand many times (and have participated in): One person at a table or the bar will order an espresso martini and suddenly everyone wants one.

What does an espresso martini say about a person? ›

Espresso Martini

If this is your co*cktail of choice you are likely an intense individual who gives 100% to everything you do. Espresso Martini drinkers have a 'work hard, play hard attitude and are happy to take the lead in both professional and social situations.

What is the meaning of espresso martini? ›

The Espresso Martini is a sumptuous mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. Who would have thought vodka and espresso go so well together? It's rich, indulgent and creamy and the shot of espresso will give you that boost of energy if you are flagging after a busy day!

What is the story behind the espresso martini? ›

While many pretenders claim that they invented the drink themselves, the real honor can be traced back to a British bartending legend in Dick Bradsell. He invented the drink at a club in the 1980s when a patron came up to him asking for a drink that would both wake him up and get him drunk.

What is espresso effect? ›

Espresso can also help those who suffer from depression. It boosts brain activity, takes away exhaustion, and stimulates a positive mood through the caffeine. Caffeine works its way into the brain where it affects the receptors that speed up nerve cells and lift your mood.

What is the martini effect? ›

The sensation has been dubbed “the martini effect” because divers liken it to drinking one martini on an empty stomach for every additional 50 ft. What does it feel like? Some divers can experience euphoria, earning nitrogen narcosis another nickname, “Raptures of the Deep.” Others can become anxious, numb or dizzy.

What is the best thing about espresso martini? ›

This coffee co*cktail is strong, sweet, and delicious with a creamy, foamy top and topped with coffee beans. It makes the perfect after-dinner drink after a big meal but is just as good to get the party started!

Is espresso martini a girlfriend? ›

Are Espresso Martini's Gluten Free? If you make the Espresso Martini according to our recipe above using the brands we've mentioned, your drink will be gluten free.

Does an espresso martini sober you up? ›

What Happens When You Mix Coffee and Alcohol. Unlike what most movies and TV shows want you to believe, sipping on coffee when you're intoxicated doesn't actually help sober you up,1 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is the hype about espresso martinis? ›

The drink itself is simple, only garnished with coffee beans at most. So, why is this pseudo-martini causing a co*cktail phenomenon?" Well, this buzz-inducing co*cktail combines espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur and sugar – simple ingredients that, once combined, become a seductive sipping drink.

Why is everyone drinking espresso martinis? ›

A selling point for most people is the fact that espresso martinis contain a large amount of caffeine. It helps give them an extra boost, especially during social events. You'll be able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with the added bonus of new energy.

When should I drink espresso martini? ›

This drink works well on its own as a party co*cktail, but can also be employed effectively at dinner parties as an excessively luxurious digestif after your main meal – both the coffee and the coffee liquor aid digestion.

What kind of person drinks espresso martini? ›

Espresso Martini

Coffee, alcohol and sugar - the ultimate combination made for those who live to “work hard, play harder”. If that's you, you're a type A personality who is enviably outgoing, extremely ambitious and rigidly organised. You give 100% to everything you do, both professionally and socially.

What does ordering an espresso martini say about you? ›

Espresso Martini: The oh-so-popular espresso martini is the anxious sibling of the avoidant classic martini. In the year 2024, the espresso martini drinker a) wants the alcohol to quell their social anxiety, b) caffeine to stay sharp conversationally, and c) is hyper-conscious about staying on-trend.

Why is there no martini in an espresso martini? ›

FYI: Technically, because it doesn't have gin or vermouth, an Espresso Martini isn't a martini at all, but it's known for being served in classic V-shaped martini glasses so no one seems to mind.

Will espresso martini make you awake? ›

Because it has caffeine in it, an espresso martini will keep you awake at night if enjoyed in the evening - but then again, that could be the plan! It's the perfect choice for a pick-me-up.

Is an espresso martini an upper or downer? ›

Espresso martinis were supposedly created by a London bartender for a model who asked for a drink that would “wake her up, then mess her up” — only she didn't use the word “mess.” Similar to vodka Red Bulls, espresso martinis mix the “upper” of caffeine and the “downer” of alcohol.

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