Little Juniper Dark Side Espresso Martini

Espresso Martin Cocktail Recipe and History, How to make an Espresso Martini

Little Juniper Dark Side Espresso Martini Recipe

Taste the rich, velvety blend of Little Juniper's Dark Side Coffee Liqueur in this delicious Espresso Martini, a perfect evening pick me up.

The Dark Side Espresso Martini is perfect for late-night enjoyment or a sophisticated after-dinner drink.

If it's an early night you're after, use our Decaf Dark Side for guilt-free pleasure. Apart from a good night's sleep, you won't notice the difference.

Ingredients for an Espresso Martini

How to make an Espresso Martini

  1. Prepare the Glass: Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes to ensure a cold, crisp sip.
  2. Shake It Up: In a cocktail shaker, add ice, 120ml of Little Juniper The Dark Side Coffee Liqueur and 10ml of sugar syrup. Shake vigorously until well chilled and frothy.
  3. Shake It Up Again: Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake until the outside becomes frosty.
  4. Strain and Pour: Discard the ice from the martini glass and strain the cocktail into the glass, allowing the foam to settle on top for a creamy finish.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Top the drink with a few coffee beans for an elegant touch.

A twist on the Espresso Martini

Looking for a twist? Swap the sugar syrup for vanilla, hazelnut or caramel syrup to add a new layer of flavour to this classic cocktail!

History of the Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini was created by legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s at Fred’s Club in London. Originally called The Vodka Espresso, it was crafted when a young model requested a drink to “wake me up and f**k me up.” Bradsell’s solution combined vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar, shaken into a frothy, bittersweet delight. Now a global classic, it’s typically garnished with three coffee beans, symbolizing health, wealth, and happiness—a tradition borrowed from Sambuca in Italy.