In the world of cocktails, there is always a new trend emerging and, currently, it’s the espresso martini using premium craft rum that has taken the top cocktail bars by storm.
This rich and bold cocktail is the perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness, with a bold coffee flavour that blends perfectly with the smooth and complex taste of rum.
Before we dive into the trend of using rum in espresso martinis, let’s take a moment to explore the history of this classic cocktail. The espresso martini was first created in the late 1980s by London bartender Dick Bradsell. Legend has it that a famous model asked Bradsell to create a drink that would “wake me up and then “mess me up.” And thus, the espresso martini was born.
The classic espresso martini recipe is made with vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and a touch of sugar syrup. The cocktail has remained popular over the years and is now a staple on menus around the world.
While vodka has traditionally been the spirit of choice for espresso martinis, bartenders are now experimenting with different spirits to create unique and exciting variations of this classic cocktail. One of the spirits that has risen in popularity is rum.
Rum brings a rich and complex flavour profile to the cocktail, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and spices that blend perfectly with the bitterness of the espresso. Rum also adds a subtle sweetness to the mix, making it the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.
One of the most popular variations of the espresso martini using rum is the “Rumpresso Martini,” or “Espresso Rumtini” which is made with rum, espresso, coffee liqueur, and a touch of vanilla syrup. This variation has become a hit in cocktail bars around the world, with bartenders putting their own spin on the recipe by adding different types of rum or experimenting with different flavour syrups.
There are several reasons why espresso martinis using rum are trending in top cocktail bars around the world. Firstly, rum is an incredibly versatile spirit that can be used in a variety of cocktails, making it a popular choice among bartenders. Secondly, the complex and rich flavour of rum adds a new dimension to the classic espresso martini, making it a more interesting and flavourful drink. Finally, the popularity of coffee-based cocktails has been on the rise in recent years, and the espresso martini is at the forefront of this trend.
My own choice for the perfect “Espresso Rumtini” is Peggy Dark Rum, our premium craft rum which is already infused with a small amount cold pressed coffee brewed with Nicaraguan coffee beans. In addition to the lingering coffee notes the taste profile will also reveal dark chocolate and molasses infused with oak, rich caramel, and a hint of liquorice and marzipan on the finish. If you’re a cocktail lover, be sure to give it a go!
Classic Peggy Espresso Rumtini cocktail recipe.
- First step – place martini glass in deepfreeze.
- Add ice to a cocktail shaker and pour in:
- 50ml – Peggy Dark Rum
- 25ml Blåk Byrd coffee liqueur (or any other coffee liqueur brand)
- 75ml – freshly made expresso coffee
- 10ml of sugar syrup – (for those with a sweet tooth)
- One small pinch of salt
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and pour into chilled martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans. Enjoy.