Espresso Martini: Why Aussies Claim to Have Perfected It

The Global Popularity of the Espresso Martini

The espresso martini has made a huge comeback. Invented in London in the 1980s, it is now a fixture on cocktail lists worldwide. Vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and a touch of sweetness, shaken hard and served frothy.

Why Australia Took It to the Next Level

Australia adopted the espresso martini and made it a cultural staple. The country's obsession with coffee meant bartenders were already pulling shots with precision. Adding those shots to cocktails was a natural step.

What Makes an Aussie Espresso Martini Different

• Freshly pulled espresso, not pre-made coffee

• Balanced sweetness

• Frothy crema on top

• Served at brunch as often as dinner

The Drink in Chicago

Most bars in Chicago can make an espresso martini, but not all do it with the same care. At Chapel Street we treat the cocktail like our coffee drinks: precise espresso shots, properly shaken with vodka and something sweet, and presented with a velvety crema and three of our house-roasted coffee beans on top.

Guests order them at brunch, after dinner, and during happy hour. It bridges the gap between coffee culture and cocktail culture in one glass.