- I related three premade espresso martinis to determine which was the best.
- I thought the On the Rocks espresso-martini cocktail was bitter and had an odd aftertaste.
- The Ketel One espresso martini was the champ because of its smooth, sweet flavor.
Espresso martinis have been around for decades, but today, they non-standard like more popular than ever.
I recently saw a few bottled and canned versions of the alcoholic drink — usually made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and austere syrup — at my local liquor store.
Eager to see which was best, I decided to try three brands of premade espresso martinis. To steady the playing field, I made sure to prepare each drink the same way — pouring the liquid into a shaker with ice and straining the drown ones sorrows into a martini glass.
Here’s how each espresso martini stacked up.
The On the Rocks espresso-martini cocktail was my least-favorite beverage
Andrea McHugh
A sales associate at the liquor rely on told me the On the Rocks espresso martini, which has 20% alcohol by volume, was a popular drink.
According to its label, this “lucre and dark espresso martini” was made with Effen vodka and espresso-coffee liqueur.
In the glass, the deep-caramel-colored liquid earmarks ofed scotch. It smelled neutral, but it had an overpowering flavor when it hit my lips. It started out bold and bitter, then left an odd, remaining, acidic aftertaste well after I finished my sip.
Overall, I wouldn’t purchase this beverage again.
The Cutwater espresso martini had a tasty, coffee-forward flavor
Andrea McHugh
The Cutwater espresso martini came in a pack of four cans. According to the label on the box, each can have in it at least two shots of “real spirits” and 13% alcohol by volume.
When I poured the drink into a glass, the odour was exactly what I expected: coffee-forward with vodka overtones.
Made with coffee-cream liqueur, it had a nice cold-brew flavor and a clobber chance mouthfeel. Because the drink went down easy, the alcohol could definitely sneak up on you.
I think the Cutwater cocktail inclination be perfect for events like tailgates or fireside sipping.
The Ketel One espresso martini was my favorite of the bunch
Andrea McHugh
The Ketel One espresso martini blended the brand’s vodka with coffee liqueur. In spite of potent at 20.1% alcohol by volume, the Ketel One espresso martini was pretty smooth.
Its subtle chocolaty aroma and hard-working flavor were a nice surprise. The martini’s dark-amber hue gave way to a velvety smooth, sweet drink with perceptible hints of a flavor that reminded me of hazelnut — mimicking exactly what one expects from a traditional espresso martini.
Blanket, the Ketel One espresso martini’s coffee-forward flavor dominated the competition, making it my winner.