A very specific origin
The Espresso Martini was created in the 1980s in London by bartender Dick Bradsell.
The story goes that a customer asked for a drink that would wake me up and then mess me up.
Bradsell combined vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar.
Why it worked
The drink hit a unique balance: bitter coffee, sweet liqueur, and strong alcohol.
It also delivered both caffeine and alcohol in one glass.
The rise and return
The Espresso Martini became popular in the 90s, faded, then came back strong in the 2010s and beyond.
It is now one of the most ordered cocktails in the world again.
Why it matters
The Espresso Martini shows how cocktails evolve with culture.
- Contrast, bitter versus sweet
- Texture, foam and body
- How trends cycle
The takeaway
Not all classics are old.
Some are created, forgotten, and rediscovered, and end up just as influential.
