Espresso Martinis Made Unprecedented Moves In Top Cocktail Ranks

This year was the year of the espresso martini — and there's new data to back up that claim.

As the brainchild of a London bartender, espresso martinis have been around since the 1980s. Recently, however, they've made a resurgence and have become a staple at bars across the United States. In 2021, The New York Times documented the drink's surge in popularity, correlating the espresso martini's comeback with America's collective nostalgia for the 1990s. Over the last few years, this nostalgia has led to the espresso martini's gradual appearance on reality television shows. Shortly after, canned cocktail brands also got on board, and the martini derivative took on a life of its own.

This popularity also stems from the drink's combination of caffeine and alcohol. A basic espresso martini calls for vodka, Kahlua, simple syrup, and, of course, espresso. Like Irish coffees, espresso martinis bridge the gap between morning drinks and evening beverages. This merger of uppers with downers meets the needs of exhausted — but eager — post-pandemic partygoers.

Clearly, espresso martinis have carved out a unique place in the canon of cocktails. However, they ultimately deviate from Irish coffees because they come cold, rather than hot. Despite their chilled temperatures, espresso martinis have become one of the country's hottest beverages — with rankings that are anything but frosty.