The humble espresso martini is a surprisingly controversial drink, with some reviling its overly sweet nature, and others criticising its self-proclaimed martini status despite containing a significant lack of gin or vermouth.
Bartenders dread whipping up the concoction, for it requires a fresh shot of espresso straight from the machine. By the time you’ve made it across the red rope and into the club to beg for your sweet shot of coffee and liquor, chances are you’ll be slapped with a “we just turned the coffee machine off for the day.” Before long, you find yourself slamming a consolatory bottom-shelf tequila shot which inevitably results in a passed-out cab ride home.
According to legend, Kate Moss walks into a bar and asks bartending legend of the 1980s Dick Bradsell for something that will “Wake me up and f*** me up.” He returns with a shaken tipple consisting of vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup.
Now, it’s never been confirmed that it was actually Kate Moss who asked for such a concoction, but the fact that we’ve come to accept this as the lore behind espresso martinis speaks to her iconic Party Girl past. In reality, it could’ve been any Noughties socialite looking for an alcoholic pick-me-up.
The rather glamorous London nightlife anecdote surrounds the espresso martini with a delectable, luxurious It-girl aura which has naturally resulted in it becoming the cocktail of choice on a girl’s night out. An espresso martini indeed has the capacity to elevate your evening, so long as you order one from the right place – one which leaves the espresso machine on past midnight.
Better yet, enjoy the tipple straight from a perfectly premixed concoction – no espresso machine needed – and avoid the frustrated, judgemental middleman. In celebration of International Espresso Martini Day, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best premixed espresso martinis that’ll wake you up and then some.
Keep scrolling for premixed espresso martinis that taste just like freshly shaken tipples from your favourite bar.
Moth Espresso Martini 125ml 14.9% ABV
The best of the best, Moth’s delicious, canned espresso martinis contain a whopping 14.9 per cent ABV. Keeping this premixed tipple as close to the request that originated the cocktail as possible, one or two of these are absolutely sure to wake you up, and more. To get the signature cr
