Aah, the joys of an espresso martini. undoubtedly the must-order cocktail of the year, this creamy, bitter yet sweet concoction has all the benefits of a Vodka Red Bull with the added perk of being utterly delicious. Give your night the ol’ one-two punch and satisfy your craving with the best espresso ’tinis in the A.
Le Colonial’s rendition of an espresso martini is, simply put, to die for; photo by Mary Kathryn Wells
CAFÉ INTERMEZZO
This European coffeehouse knows how to pull great espresso, making its excellent espresso martini come as no surprise. Café Intermezzo’s (@cafeintermezzo) mix of vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, chocolate liqueur and fresh espresso topped with the traditional three coffee beans is a recipe for success.
Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography/Unsplash
ST. CECILIA
St. Cecilia (@stceciliaatl) is the MVP of the espresso cocktail game with not only your classic espresso martini but also two adventurous additions available. The Caffe Corretto is a shot of espresso with grappa or sambuca, anise sugar and lemon zest for an Italian take, and the Carajillo brings some Spanish influence with a shot of espresso with rum, lemon zest, sugar and cinnamon.
LE COLONIAL
The seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920s French Colonial Southeast Asia that Le Colonial (@lecolonialatlanta) is known for shine in its Madagascar espresso martini, complete with Grey Goose La Vanille vodka, Frangelico liqueur and fresh espresso. The sweet and hazelnutty drink is topped with three coffee beans for the ultimate finish.
LA GROTTA RISTORANTE ITALIANO
This upscale Buckhead haunt’s J. Martinez espresso martini is made with La Grotta’s (@lagrottaatl) specialty blended espresso finished with Kahlúa and Van Gogh Double Espresso vodka. You also can’t go wrong with the Godiva cappuccino, which pairs espresso and coffee liqueur with Godiva white chocolate froth.
The Betty's rendition; photo by Andrew Thomas Lee
THE BETTY
A martini is the perfect drink to sip in this old Hollywood glamour-inspired resto. Mood lighting and lush hardwood floors pair perfectly with the rich La Colombe espresso, NOLA coffee liqueur and Ketel One vodka in The Betty’s (@thebettyrestaurant) espresso martini. Don’t miss out on its incredible food while you’re at it.
The James Room's rendition; photo by Felicia Burzotta
THE JAMES ROOM
Unsurprisingly, as one of ATL’s best speakeasies, The James Room (@thejamesroom) makes a mean espresso martini. The Espresso En Noir pairs James Room espresso with Ketel One vodka and Amaro Averna for a caramel and herbal finish. Add in the lounge’s carefully curated playlist and you’ve got the start of an evening to remember.
SERENA PASTIFICIO
Midtown’s hottest new Italian restaurant, Serena Pastifico (@serenapastificio), brings the chops to Colony Square with its spin on an espresso martini. The Mocha martini brings chocolate to the alcohol and caffeine party, creating the perfectly sweet drink of our dreams. Pair it with one of its decadent desserts, such as the cioccolato fondente, for a toothsome end to your meal.
THE SELECT
Inspired by a Roaring ’20s brasserie, this Sandy Springs gem’s aesthetic is nearly as enjoyable as its house espresso martini, complete with espresso liqueur and Six & Twenty Carolina Cream. Take your ’tini to the next level with a few drops of The Select’s (@theselectatl) mint chocolate CBD oil to give your night the perfect chill.
Storico's rendition; photo by Jose Pereiro
STORICO
This restaurant group might be known for its mean pasta dishes, but don’t sleep on its cocktail game. Head to Storico Vino (@storicovino), Forza Storico (@forzastorico) or Storico Fresco (@storicofresco) to order the ’tini of your dreams, topped with the traditional three coffee beans signifying health, wellness and happiness.
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