Our November kits are soon to be on their way to subscribers, so now it’s time to tell you a little more about what’s in this month’s kit, recipes and ingredients. If you’re not a subscriber, you can join now for just £24. If you just want to try this kit on its own, you can buy one through our shop.
To create your Espresso Martini cocktails you will need:
- Glassware
- A shaker (check out our Mixologist kit)
- A jigger (measurer)
- Plenty of ice
- Up to 160ml Espresso Coffee (5-6 shots, freshly brewed is best – see below for alternatives)
- Optional: Sugar Syrup, Milk (non dairy is best), Cream
- A TASTE Espresso Martini Kit or the below ingredients
Each kit contains:
- 2 x 100ml bottles Tovaritch Vodka
- 1 x 60ml Coffee Liqueur
- 1 x 60ml Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur
- 1 x 30ml Lazzaroni Amaretto
- Recipes for the Espresso Martini, Cuppa Joe, and Toasted Almond.
Choosing the right espresso
I could write a whole book on the best coffee beans to choose, but we’ll have to skip that for now! The important thing is to use coffee that you know you enjoy, and if you’re lucky enough to have a choice, go for something sweet or citrussy for the best balance.
I can’t stress enough that freshly brewed espresso will give you the best possible Espresso Martini. If you have an espresso machine, or a nespresso pod machine, brew the espresso just before you make the cocktail. If you have a nearby coffee shop and can get some from there, that’ll be an expensive option but a tasty one. But fear not, we have you covered with a backup plan as well:
Instant Coffee – it’s not as bad as you might think. If you like the taste of a particular instant, there’s no reason why this wouldn’t make a decent Espresso Martini. To prepare it, simply dissolve 1 tablespoon of instant coffee in every 25ml of hot water you need.
Filter coffee – You can use filter coffee, although you won’t get the “crema” (the foamy, light brown top to an espresso shot). The trick here is to brew an extra-strong version of your usual. 2-3 times as much coffee as normal should do the job, and you can obviously brew a lot more this way than through an espresso machine (so there is an up side!)
You do want to use hot, freshly brewed coffee. The heat melts the ice and dilutes the drink, which is intended.
Recipes
The Espresso Martini
Read about the history of this modern classic while you sip on your first one.
- 30ml Vodka
- 30ml Espresso
- 10ml Coffee Liqueur
- 5ml sugar syrup (optional)
Measure all the ingredients and pour them into the shaker. Add plenty of ice and shake hard for 20-30 seconds. Fine-strain into a Martini glass or coupe and you should have a lovely foam on top, you can garnish this with 3 fresh coffee beans.
Check our this video from our friends at Shoreditch Shaken:
Cuppa Joe
- 30ml Vodka
- 30ml Espresso
- 30ml Frangelico
Shake all ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled glass.
Toasted Almond
- 20ml Vodka
- 15ml Amaretto
- 15ml Coffee Liqueur
- 15ml milk (non-dairy is best)
Pour all the ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice cubes, and stir until cold. Alternatively, shake with ice and serve straight up in a martini glass or coupe.
Optional: Dust a little grated nutmeg on top for the added aroma and flavour, or chocolate powder.
Alternative recipes…
Black/White Russian
- 40ml Vodka
- 15ml Coffee Liqueur
- for the White Russian only: 20ml Milk (non-dairy is best) & optional Cream
Pour Vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in a glass, stir until ice cold. That’s your Black Russian.
Add milk/cream on top, and stir to mix. That’s your White Russian.
Optionally, add a glug of Amaretto for an even more decadent, sweet, nutty flavour.
Insomniac
- 15ml Vodka
- 15ml Frangelico
- 15ml Coffee Liqueur
- 20ml espresso
- 10ml milk
- 10ml cream
Shake all the ingredients together with ice and fine strain into a glass.
If you’d like to try these recipes and don’t have the ingredients at home then simply visit our online shop and get an Espresso Martini kit delivered to your door.
More on the Espresso Martini Kit
The story of the Espresso Martini
The History of Tovaritch! Vodka
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