Combining two of the best drinks out there, gin and coffee, makes one of the most delicious cocktails available. And it’s one that you can easily make at home. Get ready for the best Gin Espresso Martini with a unique, island twist.
The Espresso Martini has been a crowd favourite at the bars for some time now. It’s normally ordered when you need an extra kick to keep the night going. Once you try this Gin Espresso Martini you’ll be convinced this is the way you’ll want to start your night.
Replacing the traditional ingredients (Vodka and Kahlua) with a Caribbean Gin and cocoa nibs creates a memorable drink that anyone can do for a tropical twist.
Gin Espresso Martini Recipe
Gin Espresso Martini
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Strainer
- Coffee Maker
Materials
- 2 oz. Espresso Coffee Espresso is better than drip for the crema
- 1.5 oz. Caribbean Gin
- 0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
- 8 pieces Cocoa Nibs
Instructions
- Make at least 2oz. of espresso coffee per drink
- Pour the gin, coffee, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker full of ice.
- Shake well. You really need to give it a good shake to create that froth on the top.
- Pour into a chilled Martini Glass through a strainer (either on the top of your shaker if built-in or an additional strainer).
- When you pour, be sure to really shake it out towards the end to get that froth out. The strainer helps give an even pour, so that the froth doesn’t all lump out at the beginning.
Video
Notes
What is a Martini?
A martini is a popular cocktail yet very simple cocktail that contains two ingredients, gin and vermouth. The variations in Martini recipes and mixes come purely from people preferences. With words like wet and dry, dirty and straight up are all variations of the two-ingredient cocktail.
What is a martini straight up?
This is how most martinis come. Straight up is the opposite of ‘on the rocks’. Not many people will drink a martini on the rocks as the whole idea of the cocktail glass is to enjoy the chilled cocktail without ice.
What is the difference between a cocktail and a Martini?
The signature Martini glass, ideally used for the gin espresso martini is often thought to be a “martini glass”, however, the glass is actually more commonly referred to simply as a “cocktail glass”. The martini glass is slightly shorter stemmed and a little more rounded. But, for the most part, the cocktail glass and martini glass are very similar.
The Martini (in all its variations) are simply one of the most famous cocktails to be served in this cocktail glass.
The glass actually serves a very practical purpose.
- Traditional cocktails are served chilled with an aromatic quality (without ice in the actual drink).
- Therefore the stem keeps the cocktail cool without the drink area being touched.
- The wider brim allows a larger surface area for the aromatic qualities to be enjoyed by the consumer
Why use Caribbean Gin for the Gin Espresso Martini?
Caribbean Gin is perfect for a gin espresso Martini because of a few things:
- It is Caribbean Cane based (gluten-free) and incredibly smooth, so unlike a London Dry Gin it doesn’t pierce through the coffee, it blends together well
- Caribbean Gin uses unique, island-grown ingredients such as cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, and grapefruit peel. These real, fresh, ingredients add a nice depth to the espresso martini which gives it a unique richness
- The cocoa nibs for garnish tie in with the cocoa in the gin itself
Why is it different from a traditional Espresso Martini
More traditional espresso martinis are made using
- Espresso
- Vodka
- Kahlua
- Simply Syrup
The Kahlua is a coffee liquor which is already quite sweet. So you’re getting extra, sweet coffee flavour with the Kahlua that you don’t really need if you use simple syrup and a nice quality espresso coffee.
The Caribbean Gin to replace the Vodka give the gin espresso martini the extra depth of flavor with natural cocoa and island spices distilled in the gin itself.
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Gin enthusiast and Caribbean Dreamer.
