Enjoy locally made espresso martinis at home

In the early 1980s, a British bartender named Dick Bradsell was approached by a patron and asked to make a cocktail that would “wake her up.” He concocted a drink made of vodka, sugar, coffee liqueur and a shot of espresso to satisfy her request. Soon this cocktail, which came to be known universally as the espresso martini, began popping up on bar menus around the world. It enjoyed a run of extreme popularity through the rest of the 1980s but settled in as a lesser-requested classic in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Of course, like all things vintage these days, the espresso martini is making a comeback. It’s become one of the most ordered cocktails in the world—and Muskoka Spirits has developed a clever way to enjoy it at home. Bold, sweet and rich, the blend of espresso, coffee liqueur and vodka, with its smooth, frothy head, feels sophisticated and luxurious. It’s the ideal beverage for the crisp, cool days of autumn or cozy nights leading up to the holiday season.

Luckily, if you want to enjoy one at home, you don’t need to be a mixologist anymore. Making an espresso martini from scratch is actually pretty difficult: in order for it to be authentic, you need a fresh shot of espresso and the cocktail has to be expertly and vigorously shaken to produce the signature froth. It takes time and practice, which may be an unwelcome prospect when you just want to enjoy your drink.

Enjoy espresso martinis at home

Muskoka Spirits has the answer: the Nitro Espresso Martini. This ready-to-drink beverage is the perfect alternative to mixing the cocktail at home. Made with premium vodka and locally sourced coffee beans from Muskoka Roastery, the Nitro Espresso Martini is infused with nitrogen and uses a first-of-its-kind technique to achieve the frothiness a bar-made, hand-shaken espresso martini is known for. The pouring ritual alone is an experience: you gently shake the can to agitate the nitrogen, and then a hard pour will produce a cascading effect that builds a frothy head. (Just make sure the glass is perfectly clean in order to create the full effect. Residue on the glass can result in bubbles in the foam.) In terms of taste, you can expect bold espresso flavour, notes of milk chocolate and a smooth, velvety finish.

An exciting new take on the bartender experience in a can, this premium cocktail is available at the LCBO. Make the Muskoka Spirits Nitro Espresso Martini your go-to cocktail this season, for the ultimate elevated drink experience.