I have heard many times by friends and random people in bars, that they know exactly what goes into and espresso martini. Oh hell, even those over enthusiastic people who think they know everything there is about an espresso martini, who usually say as soon as they walk up to the bar, "Ooff, I'm a s**t for an espresso."
Although, who is to really blame them. I find myself saying the exact same thing when I walk into Benny's* on a Saturday night, and don't get me wrong, I have spent a lot of money over a cocktail that has barely any ingredients. There was a time where Benny's did $10 (or was it $12... obviously had too many espressos to remember!) espressos on a Friday night and you could imagine where my Friday nights ended up as well. However, you will usually find yourself paying between $15-$20 for the cocktail these days in Perth and I'm sure the rest of Australia.
One thing is for certain, that no matter how many years go by, how many pandemics we endure, we still end up back at the same Ol' Faithful ready to order a round of espressos for your mates (who undoubtedly never return the favour later on in the night).
This leads to #1 - Don't get anxiety the next day while checking your bank account after a night out.
I am all for supporting local businesses during this time, but I also know a lot of friends, family and colleagues who have lost their jobs this year due to COVID. So in order for me to make it even on both sides, how about we enjoy our espressos at home with friends and then spend your money on vodka, lime & soda's (or water in my opinion - Don't hate it until you try it! Trust me!) and those late night hot chippies or kebabs.
Following on from those over enthusiastic people I spoke about earlier (including me...) this is your #2 reason - When making them for your mates, don't look like a rookie!
Now I can't name names, but this person will know I'm talking about her when she reads this (if she reads this.... heck.. will anyone read this?...) but any-who, every time I go to make an espresso for her she says.... "I don't have any sugar syrup"...GIRL WHAT!!
Before we go too far..google how many calories are in one espresso martini and then you decide if you need to add sugar syrup to it!
But seriously, love this girl to bits, but no people, PLEASE do not put sugar syrup in your espresso martinis!
While we're here, don't put anything in your espresso apart from coffee, coffee liqueur and vodka. That's right....no god damn Baileys either - nothing against baileys - but NO!
I will make an exception however, for flavoured liqueurs that pair well with coffee only - put away the Midori! Don't even bother!
Since we're getting to the mixing of things...
Now, reason #3 - If you listen to me properly, you don't need to spend a lot on ingredients... why do i say this...Well I said it before if you have been paying attention... YOU ONLY NEED THREE INGREDIENTS!
Say it with me..coffee, coffee liqueur and vodka; coffee, coffee liqueur and vodka; coffee, coffee liqueur and vodka. Simple Hey?
Now I really shouldn't plug certain brands on here (Sorry Baileys...) because they don't pay me and I don't want to pay them for defamation (not like they can take much..) BUT to support local businesses - have a shop around for different coffee liqueurs! Spend your money in Australia first I say! Although, there is nothing wrong with any cheaper brands of Vodka or coffee liqueur - it's all about how much you want to spend :)
This leads on to reason #4 - use the 1:1:1 ratio and you can't go wrong!
I use this ratio for events, at home and at friends - I may even challenge a bartender when I do order one out...whoops - sorry!
So this is what you've been waiting for if you've read this whole blog post but doubt you have and you have just scrolled all the way down to this point... You're doing great Sweetie!!
Also... don't just read the ingredients and think you're a hot shot and know what you're doing... read the bloody method too!
so.. here goes..
30ml Vodka
30ml Coffee liqueur
30ml Liquid Coffee
Now I know what you're thinking, not enough coffee? Wrong! here's why:
Method:
make your coffee - cheapest option is the best option - INSTANT COFFEE - trust me with this! to make your coffee - place 5 teaspoons of granulated/instant coffee into 1 cup of water and mix well. If you don't want to make this much coffee - half the amount etc. MIX WELL until all dissolved.
make sure you have a shaker - if you don't have a good one - send me a message and I'll let you know where to get a good reasonably priced one.
place ice into shaker - try get servo ice rather than freezer ice - can't tell you why as you will steal all my secrets but again.. trust me it works!
add all ingredients to shaker, put on lid or top glass of shaker and SHAKE BLOODY GOOD! and when I say bloody good - I mean for at least 20 Mississippi's!! If your hands are not burning from the cold shaker - you haven't shaken enough!
strain into a glass of your choice. I SAID STRAIN. Meaning no ice people - none... at... all - again, don't have a good strainer - message me!
there should be a least a 1cm foam developing on the top after you have poured it into the glass. If there isn't, start again peasant!
Congratulations if you have made it this far and still want to read reason #5.. so here it is.
#5 - All of you will stop asking me to make espressos for you when I come over!...
This applies to all my fellow bartenders out there that constantly have to keep working, even though we don't get paid....and getting paid in 'love' by your friends doesn't count!
Nah but seriously, it actually doesn't bother me, why?...because, the gratification you get after serving a cocktail is absolutely everything! I constantly still get that gushy feeling inside when someone tells me my cocktails are beautiful and delicious, even after 10 years since serving my first cocktail in a bar. Actually, this is the reason why I decided to write my first blog. After a year in to my own business, making people happy with my service is probably what drives me every single day to be a better business woman!
I may not have all the time in the world to be a massive social media business fanatic, but what I will continue to do, is make sure that every person who hires my service, has a once in a lifetime experience.
Enjoy your espressos beautiful people and I'll see you at Benny's on Saturday!!
oh yeah... Benny's* for anyone reading outside of Perth (or living under a rock in Perth), is a restaurant/bar located in Fremantle, Western Australia.
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