It’s the London Coffee Festival this week. And for cocktail lovers, that means two words: Espresso and Martini. Also known as a Vodka Espresso, this world famous cocktail began life as the Pharmaceutical Stimulant – think of it as a legalised perker-upper much loved by discerning nightclubbers. Created by British bartender Dick Bradsell for a supermodel (some say Naomi Campbell, others allude to Linda Evangelista) who asked him to make a cocktail to “wake me up then f**k me up.” It certainly did the job. Since then the cocktail and Bradsell have reached legendary status.
Naturally, as sole alcohol sponsor at the London Coffee Festival from 25th to 28th April, Tia Maria will be bigging-up the caffeine-fuelled cocktail on launch night while its Tia Ginger and Espresso Martinis will be available for the rest of the weekend. If you can’t make it, try the recipe Tia Espresso Martini at home instead:
Tia Espresso Martini
1 part Tia Maria
1 part espresso
1 part vodka
½ part sugar syrup
Method:
Combine all the ingredients together in a shaker filled with ice. Shake together then pour into a Martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans and a fine coffee rim.
London Coffee Festival, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, E1 6QL. londoncoffeefestival.com
