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Signature Espresso Martini Recipe

So simple, yet so complex. We’re sharing the recipe for InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort’s signature Espresso Martini.

A signature within the resort’s vivid bar scene, our Espresso Martini embodies simple indulgence at its finest. A perfect blend of freshly ground coffee beans mixed with coffee liquor for that ‘shot’ of espresso, crème de cacao, Kahlua and vodka, this sultry cocktail is renowned for its rich kick often making it the substitute for traditional tea and coffee at the end of a night of fine dining.

Flooded with recipe requests from our resort guests, we’ve decided to reveal step-by-step just how we create the ‘smooth, creamy texture’ in our coffee-infused Martini.

Start by ensuring you have your cocktail shaker close by and ingredients in front of you…

Step 1:

Now, we opt to use Kahlua (30ml to be exact), mainly because the sweet pods of vanilla bean make the perfect comrade for the hand-made pastries showcased in our High Coffee menu. However, feel free to substitute with Tia Maria or Baileys if you’re looking to experiment. Top Tip – why not try blending Baileys into the recipe at Christmas time for a festive twist? 

Step 2:

We blend Kahlua with 15ml of Vodka and 15ml of Crème De Cacao, you can thank Crème De Cacao for the sweet, syrupy texture in the martini.

Step 3:

The Shot Of Espresso. We’re going to set this apart and give it the attention it needs (and deserves) as it truly is the key to success in this classic recipe. 

The trick is the fresher the coffee, the richer (and let’s face it, better) the Martini. Just a few moments before combining with the rest of the ingredients in the cocktail shaker, we grind our Vittoria coffee beans and extract the espresso shot (30ml) so both are at potent and fresh as possible. Without a shot of full-bodied espresso, our Espresso Martini falls a little flat – and we definitely want to avoid that!

Step 4:

Add ice to the cocktail shaker and *let’s shake*.

Step 5:

Strain the shaken ingredients into a chilled Martini glass and step back to admire your work. 

Step 6:

Before serving, you will need to garnish. While we love a nod to old-world glamour with a traditional sprinkling of coffee beans, three to be exact, but feel free to be a little more creative and tailor to your unique taste. We’d recommend playing with roasted coconut, a crumbling of honeycomb, or perhaps even using chocolate syrup to create a pretty pattern atop the Martinis creamy crown.

So there you have it, our 6-step breakdown sharing our recipe for the perfectly balanced version of the worldly classic, Espresso Martini. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 30ml Kahlua
  • 15ml vodka
  • 15ml crème de cacao
  • 30ml espresso
  • Coffee beans to garnish
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Martini glass

Do you want to try our Espresso Martini in person? We invite you to book our High Tea experience or visit Verandah Restaurant & Bar. 

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