If Beyoncé personally invited you to pop over for a drink, you’d probably say yes. And what should she be pouring? Not a flat white. Not a dusty gin tonic. Nope. She’s reaching into the shaker for the SirDavis Espresso Martini.
That’s what we reckon, given her brand, SirDavis American Whisky, has just published this Espresso Martini recipe. Launched this year, it’s an intriguing collaboration between her and Moët Hennessy. You can read all about that story on this here blog.
Back to the Espresso Martini, which continues to be the cocktail of the people. But have any of you tried it with whisky? I’ve enjoyed swapping the vodka for rum before. But a fine whisky sounds like a heck of an idea, too. If it’s good enough for Beyoncé…
People love an Espresso Martini
Why the Espresso Martini is so popular
The numbers don’t lie. The Espresso Martini only seems to get more popular. Recent UK data shows the classic serve remains firmly in the spotlight: in a top-10 list of cocktails, the average monthly UK search volume for “Espresso Martini” was around 74,000 searches. Another study reveals spikes in interest around the festive season for the Espresso Martini and its friends. And it’s got the young on its side, according to this article, which notes that “searches for ‘Espresso Martini’ grew by 89% among Gen Z in 2024”.
So what’s driving this?
– The visual appeal: a dark, glossy drink in a coupe or Martini glass looks sharp. Which also means social-media ready.
– It hits the mainstream with style. Umbrella-laden sugary mixes are out. But people still want sweet, indulgent, accessible drinks. It’s grown-up without being too serious.
– It’s adaptable. Bartenders and home hosts alike can riff on the serve, tweak the ratio, and add a garnish. It stays relevant and fresh.
– People love their coffee. The obvious energy boost from fresh espresso means the drink works as a “second wind”. Ideal for after dinner or when you still have plans.
Beyoncé wants you to make this. I presume. Act accordingly.
Why you should try whisky in an Espresso Martini
Here’s where the SirDavis version works. The whisky introduces spice, oak or vanilla notes and a new layer of depth. The bitterness and richness of the espresso still lead, but the whisky gives structure. Instead of flattening out into one note, you get complexity: the roasted coffee, the liqueur’s sweet-dark edge, the honey syrup, and the whisky’s signature warmth.
The trend at the moment of whisky-in-cocktails has been gathering pace over the last decade and is now in the mainstream… Certainly for those of us who are whisky drinkers. And for top bartenders. But for the average person? There’s still a big “I don’t drink whisky” crowd. This is the ideal gateway for them. If you’re hosting, the whisky-based Espresso Martini signals you’ve thought about it. You’re not just pouring the standard evening serve.
So, who wants to try one? Here’s the recipe. I love St George so I’ve used their coffee liqueur.
The SirDavis Espresso Martini recipe
Ingredients
60ml SirDavis American Whisky
30ml fresh espresso
15ml coffee liqueur
7.5ml honey syrup
Garnish: four espresso beans
Instructions:
Pull your espresso and allow it to cool slightly. Then fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the SirDavis whisky, espresso, coffee liqueur and honey syrup.
Shake briskly until the outside of the shaker is cold and slightly frosted. Fine strain into a chilled Martini/coupe glass. Place four espresso beans on top as a garnish. Serve immediately.
