Espresso Martini

Vodka, Espresso, Kahlua

There are several claims for the origin of the espresso martini. One of the more common claims is that it was created by Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s while at Freds Club in London for a young lady who asked for something that would, "Wake me up, and then fuck me up." Bradsell has made this claim in a widely-circulated video. Bradsell has also been quoted about the circumstances of his invention of the drink, "The coffee machine at the Soho Brasseries was right next to the station where I served drinks. It was a nightmare, as there were coffee grounds everywhere, so coffee was very much on my mind. And it was all about vodka back then – it was all people were drinking."

The recipes for an espresso martini vary depending on the source. Traditionally, they include Kahlúa or Tia Maria.

National Espresso Martini Day was registered by Chilled Magazine for 3/15, the day after Daylight Savings begins in the US. As a way to celebrate both the history of this popular drink and as a reason to wind down after the most tiring day of the year.