How to Make the Mr. Black Espresso Martini

I think this has to be the easiest Espresso Martini recipe you can find. Even made with instant espresso coffee, it is killer and would make Dick Bradsell proud!

Where was the Espresso Martini born

The aforementioned Dick Bradsell was minding his own business bartending at The Soho Brasserie in London in the 1980s, when a famous model walked in and asked for a cocktail that would “wake me up and then f*** me up.”

A coffee machine was right behind him, so he grabbed a shot, added vodka, shook it up, served it in a martini glass, and a legend was born. If you want to see how London’s bars have taken that legend and run with it, my roundup of the best espresso martinis in London is a fun rabbit hole.

What is Mr. Black

Mr. Black is a cold brew coffee liqueur, made with Australian grain spirit and beans from three sources: Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, and Brazil. In this recipe, it acts as the coffee liqueur, the vodka, and the sugar all at once, which is exactly why it makes this whole process so wonderfully simple.

Although it’s a liqueur, Mr. Black is not that sweet. Martin Hudàk, who was their Global Brand Ambassador when I had him on my podcast, told me that it has half the sugar and ten times the coffee concentration of other coffee liqueurs.

Mr. Black vs. a Traditional Espresso Martini

A classic espresso martini calls for vodka, coffee liqueur, and a fresh shot of espresso, three separate bottles and a coffee machine before you even start shaking. Bradsell’s original used vodka as the base spirit, and if you want to build the traditional version at home, a clean, smooth vodka is the way to go.

Mr. Black skips all of that by doing double duty as the liqueur and the spirit, so you really only need one bottle plus your espresso. That efficiency shows up in the calorie count too. At 197 calories per serving, this version actually lands lighter than a lot of traditional builds, since you are not adding a separate pour of vodka on top of the liqueur. Fewer bottles, fewer calories, same delicious payoff.

How to Make the Mr. Black Espresso Martini

You need to start with the following ingredients to make the Mr. Black Espresso Martini:

• Mr. Black Cold Brew
• Espresso
• Ice

Equipment:

• Jigger
• Shaker
• Strainer
• Glass

I made the espresso with both instant and freshly brewed coffee. Of course, the freshly brewed coffee gives it much more depth of flavor, but sometimes you just don’t have the time to futz around making espresso.

If you are going the instant route, get the best you can find. Whichever brand you choose, make your coffee and let it cool before you build the cocktail. If you have leftover espresso, save it in your fridge for an iced coffee or a White Russian.

Getting That Perfect Foam

That gorgeous foam layer on top is what separates a good espresso martini from a great one, and it comes down to one thing: how hard you shake. A gentle shake gives you a thin, wimpy foam that disappears in seconds. You want to shake this like you mean it, hard and fast, for a full ten to fifteen seconds.

A few other things that help. Use plenty of ice, since the agitation from the ice cubes is what actually builds the foam. Make sure your espresso has cooled before it goes in the shaker, since hot liquid melts your ice too fast and waters everything down before you get a proper shake in. And a Hawthorne strainer with a good spring coil helps keep that foam intact as you pour.

Fun Ways to Switch It Up

Once you have the basic Mr. Black and espresso combo down, it is so fun to play around with:

• Swap in a flavored coffee liqueur or add a splash of vanilla or hazelnut liqueur for a dessert-like twist
• Add a small pour of heavy cream or Baileys for a richer, creamier finish
• Try it with a different base spirit like a spiced rum for a warmer, cozier flavor
• Add a dash of orange bitters to brighten up the coffee notes
• Rim the glass with cocoa powder or espresso grounds for a little extra drama

If you like coffee cocktails beyond the martini format, the Carajillo Epoca is a gorgeous Colombian-inspired take worth trying too.

Make It Ahead

Hosting a party and do not want to shake individual drinks all night? You can absolutely batch this one. Mix your Mr. Black and cooled espresso together in the ratio from the recipe card and keep it chilled in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good shake with ice right before serving so you get that foam. I would not push it much past a day, since the foam and fresh coffee flavor really are best close to serving time.

Why Lush Life Loves It

This is the cocktail I reach for when I want something that looks and tastes impressive but takes almost zero effort. Two ingredients, one shaker, and a couple minutes, and you have a drink that would not feel out of place at a proper cocktail bar. It is proof that simple does not mean boring.

FAQ

Is a Mr. Black Espresso Martini technically a martini?
Not in the classic gin-and-vermouth sense. It earns the name because it is shaken and served up in a martini glass, the same way Dick Bradsell’s original was.

How much caffeine is in this drink?
A single shot of espresso has roughly 60 to 75 mg of caffeine, plus a bit more from the cold brew coffee liqueur itself. All told, it comes in comparable to a strong cup of coffee, so it is a good pick-me-up but not something to have three of before bed.

Is there an alcohol-free version?
Yes! Check out my Three Spirit Espresso Martini for a non-alcoholic take that still delivers on flavor.

Why is my foam falling flat?
Almost always it is not enough shake. Give it a hard ten to fifteen second shake with plenty of ice, and make sure your espresso has cooled first.

If You Want to Try Another Mr. Black or Espresso Martini, Don’t Miss:

• Mr. Black La Finca
• Salted Espresso Martini
• Three Spirit Espresso Martini (Non-Alcoholic)
• 13 Espresso Martini Recipes You Can’t Miss

Here is the recipe!!