A double shot of espresso, a touch more vodka, half the sugar.
Why you are pouring this tonight
The Dirty Espresso Martini is the Espresso Martini at sea level. Vodka, fresh espresso, Kahlua, a tiny pour of olive brine. Sounds wrong. Tastes savoury, briny, slightly like a Martini and an Espresso Martini that have decided to work together. The cocktail you make when somebody has said “what would happen if”.
The olive brine is 5mL maximum. More than that and the drink becomes a savoury mess. Use the brine from a jar of Castelvetrano green olives (the Sicilian ones); the supermarket pimento-stuffed olive brine is too cheap and too sweet. Real Kahlua. Fresh espresso. Dry shake for fifteen seconds, wet shake another twelve, double-strain into a chilled coupe. Three coffee beans on the foam, plus a single Castelvetrano olive on a pick if you are committed to the bit. Pair with charcuterie, aged cheese, the back end of a serious meal.
What changes from the Espresso Martini
Single shot becomes double. Kahlua reduced. Vodka bumped. Three beans still on top.
What to pour it alongside
After a big dinner. After chocolate. After midnight.
The recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with plenty of ice.
- Shake hard for 12-15 seconds to build the crema.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe. Float 3 coffee beans on top.
Nutrition
Want the classic? Our Espresso Martini recipe is here.
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