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Baileys Flat White Martini
Looking for a new take on the oh-so-sophisticated Espresso Martini? Try this Baileys Flat White Martini. It’s a sumptuous mix of coffee, vodka and creamy Baileys and will become the star of your dinner party drinks table.
This exquisite coffee cocktail is subtle in taste but still packs a punch with its vodka-espresso kick. One to keep you on the dance floor when the rest are flagging, for sure! We also like to serve our Baileys Flat White Martini as a luxe dessert; its creamy smoothness reminds us of a (tipsy) mousse. It’s about a million times simpler than making fancy puddings, too.
We’re not exactly cocktail newbies (we’ve sampled a fair few…), but we thought this luxurious tipple deserved a mixologist’s touch. That’s why we caught up with Steve at the Market Harborough-based Cocktail Shaker Boys. Steve knows a thing or two about our favourite aperitifs and helped us live out our bartending dreams in a coffee cocktail masterclass.
What is an espresso martini? And where did it come from?
The Baileys Flat White Martini gives the espresso martini a fresh, creamy new makeover. The classic coffee martini has a colourful history, Steve explains. Credit goes to British bartending pro Dick Bradsell, who ran pioneering bars in 1980s London. The cocktail came about when a now-famous model (believed to be Naomi Campbell or Kate Moss) came up to the bar requesting a sippable something to “wake me up and f**k me up”. And so, the Espresso Martini was born. Initially called The Vodka Espresso, this caffeinated cocktail is an opulent mix of vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. It’s perfect for festive parties – and every party in-between.
What about the flat white?
We’ve clued up on the booze. Now for the beans! The flat white is a popular espresso-based drink made by pouring steamed milk over a double espresso. It’s stronger than a latte (but smoother than a cappuccino) and served in a small cup rather than a glass.
It has a much-contended history, does the flat white. Both Australia and New Zealand lay claim to the drink in a debate sparked in 2015 when Starbucks described it as Australian. Coffee Lovers in NZ weren’t pleased. They say that Kiwi barista Frank McInnes invented the flat white coffee while making a cappuccino for a customer. He didn’t have enough fat to achieve frothy milk and described his flawed cappuccino as a ‘flat white’.
The Australians, meanwhile, defend the flat white as theirs. Or Alan Preston’s, to be precise. Preston opened Moors Espresso Bar in Sydney in 1985 and introduced a new type of coffee drink to his customers. This coffee was a take on the coffee drunk in Preston’s home state of Queensland in the 60s and 70s. ‘White Coffee – flat’ is what you would have seen on the menu at Moors Bar. Was this the first flat white? We’ll leave it up to you…
You’ve got the knowledge – now grab your shaker! Let’s get martini-ing!
Ingredients
- 50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
- 25ml vodka
- 25ml espresso
- A few ice cubes
Method
Place the Baileys, vodka, coffee and ice cubes into a cocktail shaker (or homemade alternative!).
Shake until the outside of the cocktail shaker feels cold and the liquid is a smooth, tan colour.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Cheers, Steve! Great to meet you… and sample your handiwork!
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