Based on the menus across Denver, espresso martinis have graduated from a quirky novelty to a classy cocktail served with as much seriousness as a Manhattan or a Gibson.
“Over the last two years, anybody and everybody is drinking them,” said Brent Rutgers, bar manager at A5 Steakhouse in downtown Denver. “There’s alcohol and caffeine in it, and it’s delicious as a pre-meal drink, a post-meal drink or even dessert.”
Really, he added, an espresso martini works with whatever mood you’re in, it’s that versatile. Just don’t try and pair it with savory food. Due to the bold coffee flavor, sweetness and booziness, nothing — save for select desserts — goes well flavor-wise with one. Not that that should stop you from ordering it.
“The espresso martini has that fajita effect,” said Rutgers. “It’s one of those things: Someone orders it in the dining room and then people see it go by, start asking about it and next thing you know everyone wants one.”
The caffeine-infused cocktail first made the bar scene in 1983, created by British bartender Dick Bradsell. That first drink featured four main ingredients: a shot of espresso, sugar, coffee liqueur and vodka. Over the decades, the espresso martini shifted, with many places adding chocolate, skipping the real coffee, and/or making it creamy with Kahlua. The drink also originally went by the name “vodka espresso,” then “the pharmaceutical stimulant,” until finally becoming the espresso martini.
(Oddly, there’s nothing about the drink that makes it a true martini; instead, the name comes from the glass it’s often served in.)
Today, the cocktail is so popular that Mr Black Coffee Liquor celebrates the drink with an annual Espresso Martini Fest Oct. 9-15. The nationwide event started in Melbourne, Australia, in 2016, and came stateside last year. In Colorado, 14 bars and restaurants have signed up to participate, most of them in Denver. Among them: the Thirsty Lion (1605 Wynkoop St.), Tavernetta (1889 16th St.), Queens Eleven (3603 Walnut St.), and Little Ollie’s (2630 E. Third Ave.) For the complete list, go to mrblack.co/us.
But why stop there? Continue to celebrate the original caffeinated cocktail at these 12 spots in Denver. Options range from tequila-infused martinis to draft pours to an array of coffees used to give the drink that signature flavor.
While sampling the city’s best options, look for the drink’s iconic three-coffee-bean garnish. Legend states the beans symbolize health, wealth and happiness. After one of these selections, imbibers may find the proverb to be true, at least while sipping the perfect espresso martini.
Local Jones
Ever since opening in 2020, the bar at Local Jones has served the cocktail Before You Go Go, which is made with New Amsterdam Vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Café Amaro and espresso. It’s something enjoyed by guests of all ages, said Todd Oyadomari, director of food and beverage for the restaurant, and it’s been growing in popularity.
“We have always had Before You Go Go on the menu, but it has never been more popular than it is now, thanks to social media,” said Oyadomari. “Now this trending cocktail has become a mainstay.”
Located in the Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, Local Jones also has teamed up with the Mr Black Espresso Martini Fest for this year’s celebration, making it the perfect excuse to go. 249 Columbine St., 720-772-5022, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com/local-jones
Cantina Loca
Skip the vodka and instead indulge in Doña Loca Reposado Tequila, curated by chef Dana Rodriguez for her restaurant Cantina Loca. Aside from the tequila, which Rodriguez has made by small, women-run farms and artisans in Mexico, the Espresso Martinez is made with Fruitful Coconut Liqueur, 477 Coffee Liqueur, Bluegrass Cold Brew, Aztec Chocolate Bitters and agave syrup.
“Espresso martinis are my go-to cocktail of late, and they’re obviously very trendy,” said general manager Eric Norberg, who developed the tipple for the restaurant. “We wanted to make it agave-based, and that’s why the main spirit is Doña Loca Reposado, which adds a little more complexity than the traditionally used vodka.” 2890 Zuni St., 303-284-6738, cantinaloca.com
A5 Steakhouse
For bar manager Brent Rutgers, putting the restaurant’s espresso martini on tap was a natural choice.
“We thought it was a good idea to put it on draft because it’s easy to batch and makes the drink way more consistent,” said Rutgers. “We do a float of some hand-shaken cream, so it really has a nice black-and-white distinction.”
Another aspect that makes the $16 drink stand out: It’s made with dark rum and Galliano Espresso Liqueur, which actually has real coffee in it and contains plenty of caffeine. 1600 15th St., 303-623-0534, a5denver.com
Le Bilboquet
The key to Le Bilboquet’s signature espresso martini is the coffee-infused Cynar, which gets made in-house. Add that to Colorado’s Woody Creek Vodka and a dash of Kahlua, and guests can see why the cocktail has graced the menu since the restaurant’s opening in 2019. 299 St. Paul St., 303-835-9999, lebilboquetdenver.com
American Elm
It’s fall, ya’ll, so enjoy the seasonal flavors in American Elm’s Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, made special for the month of October.
“It’s different from our regular offering as it uses a decadent pumpkin spice syrup that we make in-house with real, slow-roasted pumpkin,” said bar manager Jesse Torres. “Next, we top it with an oat milk spiced foam and freshly grated cinnamon.”
Even better, $2 from every one of these cocktails goes to support the Colorado Restaurant Association’s Angel Relief Fund. So drink a cup of fall with a purpose. 4132 W. 38th Ave., 720-749-3186, amelm.com
FIRE Restaurant & Lounge
Head to the Art Hotel for one of the drinks featured during the Espresso Martini Fest, the Nighthawks Espresso Martini. The cocktail is made with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, Mr Black Cold Brew Liqueur, fresh espresso and a pinch of Maldon salt. Guests of the hotel can wake up with this concoction if desired, and everyone else can stop by the hotel bar for a cool and caffeinated sipper. 1201 Broadway, 720-709-4431, thearthotel.com/dine-drink/fire
Avanti Food & Beverage Denver
Visit the LoHi food hall for its delicious espresso martini, made with vodka, vanilla syrup, cold brew, Amaro Montenegro and chocolate bitters. These flavors combine to give the cocktail an earthy and slightly savory flavor, rather than the usual dessert sweetness. Enjoy the $12 cocktail at the bar, or bring it upstairs to take in the view at the same time. 3200 N. Pecos St., 720-269-4778, avantifandb.com
Water Grill
Guests won’t find the espresso martini listed; it’s on the restaurant’s secret menu. In fact, even though it’s not on the regular cocktail list, beverage director Kevin Felker said the drink proves so popular, it’s one of the top 10 beverages sold. To create the martini, the bartenders use freshly brewed and chilled espresso, vanilla-flavored vodka and orgeat syrup, which is made with almonds, sugar and orange flower water. 1691 Market St., 303-727-5711, watergrill.com/denver
Three Saints Revival
At Three Saints Revival, there are cocktails on draft, too. This includes the Kaffeina, the restaurant’s version of an espresso martini. (Provided by Three Saints Revival)Like the wine program at Three Saints Revival, there are cocktails on draft, too. This includes the Kaffeina, the restaurant’s version of an espresso martini that brings together Santa Teresa Venezuelan Rum, spiced cold brew, St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur and cinnamon syrup. Order it for happy hour, during brunch or after your meal in lieu of coffee. 1801 Wewatta St., 720-707-3500, threesaintsrevival.com
Atomic Cowboy Locations
Pizza and an espresso martini? Why not? At all locations of Atomic Cowboy ( four in Denver, one in Centennial, one in Colorado Springs, and another at Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace), this caffeinated cocktail remains a staple. The drink is made with a rich espresso liquor, Pearl Vanilla Bean Vodka and cold brew from a local roaster. atomiccowboy.net
Barcelona Wine Bar
The only time you can find the Mini Espresso Martini at this RiNo tapas joint is during happy hour (Mon.-Wed. from 4 to 6 p.m., Thu.-Fri. from 2 to 5 p.m.). It’s little, too, giving imbibers the perfect jolt to carry them through the night. Order the $7 cocktail either rich or dark, meaning with or without Irish cream, and enjoy the playful meshing of espresso, maple syrup, vodka and nutmeg. 2900 Larimer St., 303-816-3300, barcelonawinebar.com
BurnDown
Fuel the night with a classic espresso martini, featuring Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka, St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Sati cold brew and a pinch of Maldon salt. The drink runs $13, and when ordered, don’t be surprised if it comes quickly, since the cocktail pours from the taps. Guests can also get the drink in shot form for $6. 476 S. Broadway, 720-899-3827, burndowndenver.com
