The Science Behind The Perfect Espresso Martini Cocktail, Explained: Tips To Understand Foam, Flavour & Balance
The espresso martini cocktail has recently emerged as global mixology favourites. The cocktail is created using vodka, coffee liqueur or freshly brewed espresso and sugar syrup for a sweet taste. And while this list of ingredients and the espresso martini cocktail recipe itself may seem easy enough, but it requires lot of effort and blending to make it. Understanding the science behind the cocktail can certainly help here.
The Science Behind the Ideal Espresso Martini Cocktail
The espresso martini cocktail is a popular coffee flavoured cocktail. The right amount of each ingredient, the accurate temperature, and the ideal brewing point of coffee can help making a properly-flavoured espresso martini cocktail. And here comes the importance of understanding the science behind a perfect glass of this cocktail. While creating an espresso martini cocktail, the art of balancing everything between flavour and foam is necessary.
The Science Behind The Espresso
The Beans Matter
There are different coffee varieties. But the two main types of beans, the robusta and arabica, are the best options to grind and make an espresso martini cocktail. Robusta is bitter, grainy and harsh. It tastes bitter even before brewing. Arabica is comparatively sweeter and slightly chocolaty with better flavour. The brewed coffee beans control the pH balance of the espresso martini cocktail, creating an ideal acidic taste.
Grinding of Coffee Beans
The grinding of coffee beans is another essential step to make this cocktail. If the coffee beans are over-ground, it results in over-extraction of the coffee, resulting in bitter taste. However, in the case of less ground beans, less-extraction occurs, creating a perfectly acidic coffee without hampering the flavour concentration of the cocktail.
Temperature and Pressure
While making cocktails, it is very essential to have stringent control over the temperature. So, even if all the ingredients are taken correctly, a perfect temperature and pressure is needed to create an ideal taste to the espresso martini cocktail.
Timing
Timing is another crucial component while making an espresso martini cocktail. If it is made using hot or warm espresso, it can impact the overall cocktail because spirits tend to evaporate when heat is added. Hence, bartenders are currently using cold brew coffee so that the change in temperature doesn’t affect the cocktail taste. In cold brewing coffee, the beans are extracted without applying heat. This results in a sweet textured, comparatively consistent taste without much deviation from the original.
The selection of coffee beans and the espresso brewing step, these two are almost the deciding factors regarding how the espresso martini cocktail will taste. Get these right and any beginner is at least halfway through to making the perfect espresso martini cocktail.
The Science of Composition and Concentration
Now that the 30 ml of espresso is pulled for making an espresso martini cocktail for 1 person, a new set of precautions and focus are needed to follow the further steps.
Adding Vodka
After several surveys, experiments and studies by mixology experts from around the world, it has been found that vodkas simply make the best base for an espresso martini cocktail. For best results, go with KetelOne Vodka, Smirnoff or Ciroc. Normally, espresso martini cocktails are made with 45-proof vodkas because it is normally supposed to be a cocktail with a twist and flavour of strong espresso coffee. Also, remember that for 10-15 ml of espresso, the right amount of vodka to be used is 25-30 ml.
Adding Coffee Liqueur
Adding coffee liqueur is an option many bartenders go with to enhance the coffee notes in an espresso martini cocktail. Mellowness and consistent coffee flavour all come from coffee liqueur. In fact, if a brew is made in haste, adding 30 ml coffee liqueur can make it smooth.
Cooling and Dilution
The espresso martini cocktail is served chilled in a martini cocktail glass. But if the coffee brew is piping hot and then cooled down to a lukewarm temperature and served, then the entire cocktail can taste unbalanced. So, mixologists normally cool the espresso rapidly without watering it down. However, it needs to be cooled down completely before mixing with any other ingredients.
Cold brew coffee is considered by many to have an easier option. However, the process of making it in less time is still a topic for research. A strong and vigorous shaking is needed to create a frothy appearance in the martini cocktail. A good cobbler shaker is best for beginners, but those with a practised hand can also go for a Boston shaker.
The Calculation of Espresso Martini Cocktail Ingredients
Behind a perfect glass of espresso martini cocktail, lies a good calculation which will help to create an ideal cocktail.
To make an espresso martini cocktail, prepare a fresh espresso brew of approx 15 ml and let it cool. After the brew is cooled, add it into a shaker, 24 ml vodka and 14 ml coffee liqueur and shake well for 15-20 seconds until froth is formed. Pour it into a martini cocktail glass to have a coffee-flavoured cocktail.
The art of pouring is important. The cocktail can be poured gradually into a martini cocktail glass, garnished with some coffee grounds, or three coffee beans or instant espresso on top.
The main challenge behind the creation of a perfect espresso martini cocktail is the cold brew temperature. The ingredients can be measured without hassle, but the right temperature of coffee is a must on which the taste depends. Keep these in mind and get the shake and pour right to master the art of making espresso martini cocktails.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
