Sunday, January 19, 2014

Espresso Martini with Homemade Coffee Liquor #CocktailDay


Welcome to Cocktail Day, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic, Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake, and Donna of Cookistry. We are raising our glasses to toast you all with some unique and delicious cocktails and mocktails in anticipation of the Big Game and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to bookmark or pin these creative beverages for your next gathering. We hope you enjoy this marvelous event and the incredible giveaways from our generous sponsors. Cheers!

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How do you like your martini??  Shaken?  Stirred?  Traditional with gin or perhaps vodka and possibly flavored?  In a proper martini glass or a simple tumbler??


Apparently the perfect martini is somewhat elusive and best served with quality ingredients in a delicate martini glass.  It's been said that a proper martini is made with gin and one part vermouth, then strained into a chilled stemmed martini glass - anything else must have an adjective to describe the martini, such as a Vodka Martini, etc.

As for me, I'd just like to like any martini.  Having grown up on James Bond movies, I most certainly would order my martini shaken and not stirred, and as James prefers the Vodka Martini, I would want the same.

Hence, some 20 years ago that's exactly what I ordered, and heavens that is one strong drink - especially for this lightweight!  Tasted to me only of alcohol, and I didn't find a single thing pleasing about the experience with the exception of the shaker and the glass.


To this day, I'm not really fond of martinis, but because I love that sexy glass so much, I keep trying.  And today I have a martini I've enjoyed, though I'm not sure it would classify as a proper martini, as it's made with homemade coffee liquor, espresso and vodka.

Following a recipe I found online, the finished product was the most pleasing martini I've enjoyed, but for myself I'd take away some of the sweetness, allowing more of the pure espresso flavors to shine through.  Coffee Liquor is, for the most part, fairly sweet.  Hence, creating this cocktail allows you to follow your sweet tooth, or lack there of by mixing around the ingredients until you find your perfect version.

But before we reach for the shaker, take a peek at this fabulous giveaway in honor of #CocktailDay!

Our sponsors for Cocktail Day are Molecule-R, Page St. Publishing, Race Point Publishing, Fair Winds Press, Microplane, and Not So Simple Syrup. Molecule-R can be found on facebook, and YouTube

Molecular gastronomy can be defined as the fusion of food science and culinary arts. Molecular gastronomy by Molecule-R is a cookbook with stunning recipes explained and illustrated with the intelligence and aesthetic beauty that defines the MOLECULE-R brand.  Mojito R-Evolution teaches you how to deconstruct your mojito into floating mint caviar and spectacular foams or encapsulate your favorite cocktail into a sphere that will explode in your mouth.  Margarita R-Evolution teaches you how to create a margarita slush topped with a fresh lemon mousse, add a splash of colour by creating blue azure suspended pearls or encapsulate your margarita into an edible cocktail! Cosmo R-Evolution teaches you how to add a molecular twist to your traditional cosmo sure to awe your guests.  Serve a cosmopolitan bubble on a spoon that will pop in your mouth, top off your cocktail with a light fluffy cranberry foam or suspend citrus caviar in your drink.

Microplane can be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Microplane is a division of family-owned Grace Manufacturing Inc., a long-standing company specializing in the crafting of precision thin metal parts for home and industrial use.  The versatile Ultimate Citrus Tool features Microplane’s surgical grade stainless steel Fine blade. In addition, the Ultimate Citrus Tool features two decorative garnishing blades in a large (.300-inch diameter) and small (.180-inch diameter) size. The blades are made in the USA and are dishwasher safe. Microplane’s sleekly designed and multi-functional Bartender’s Garnishing Tool easily opens bottles, effortlessly zests oranges, lemons, limes, and other types of citrus fruits, and is dishwasher safe.

Not So Simple Syrup can be found on Facebook, and Twitter. Not So Simple Syrup is a a small, local maker of simple syrups. Heidi and Barbie's passion is to create all natural syrups that inspire and stimulate your pension for amazing mixed drinks as well as iced teas and non-alcoholic beverages too. They pride themselves on individual service. When you purchase a NSSS product, you can be sure that it received their personal stamp of approval. The Not So Simple Syrup Survival Gift Basket has two flavours of delicious all natural Not So Simple Syrup, a muddler for the perfect Mojito you might want to create, two glasses and a bar towel.

The list of prizes for Cocktail Day: 2 Individual Copies of Molecule Gastronomy by Molecule-R Cookbook 1 Set of Mojito R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Set of Margarita R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Set of Cosmo R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Copy of The Architecture of the Cocktail sponsored by Race Point Publishing 1 Copy of Apothecary Cocktails sponsored by Fair Winds Press 1 Copy of The Best Craft Cocktails and Bartending with Flair sponsored by Page St. Publishing 1 Not So Simple Gift Basket 1 Microplane Bartender’s Garnishing Tool 1 Microplane Citrus Tool
***This giveaway is intended for each prize to have a separate winner! No person can win multiple prizes. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only . Winners will be chosen by random draw. The winners will be notified via e-mail, and have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Espresso Martini with Homemade Coffee Liquor
Coffee, Coffee Liquor and vodka... I'm loving this as an after dinner drink!  With the coffee liquor being a bit on the sweet side, adjust to your taste.

1 1/2 oz. coffee liquor (DIY - make your own)
1 oz. vodka
1 oz. freshly brewed espresso

Add all the ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously,  strain into a chilled Martini glass.  Cheers!

DIY Homemade Coffee Liquor 

***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by our sponsors, no bloggers have received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***

Other Fabulous Bloggers Mixing It Up with Us for Cocktail Day:

27 comments:

  1. As a huge coffee fan, how could I resist this? I have been meaning to make your homemade Kahlua since I saw it on your blog a couple of months ago. Now I have even more incentive. I love the list of cocktails that the other bloggers have done too, and can't wait to work my way through them - the blogs, not necessarily the drinks, but maybe ;)

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    1. Felice... I'm loving the kahlua! It's a little sweet for my taste, but I've used it in SO many things. This was pretty darn good too!

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  2. Wow. This sounds so yum! I pinned your coffee liquor recipe and this recipe... NEED TO MAKE THEM!

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    1. Appreciate the pins Betsy!! The Kahlua was SO easy and I'm using it in so many different ways. Enjoy!

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  3. I love a martini but I am more of a traditional girl for martini but I am always up for a change!! Yours looks like a great martini!!

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    1. My dad is very traditional... he says this isn't a "martini", but he'd take a taste of my "coffee drink"!!

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  4. That is a pretty sexy looking cocktail - great photography! This looks like a terrific after dinner drink to serve at a dinner party.

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    1. I know... right?? I love those sexy glasses!!

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  5. That is a yummy looking martini, fantastic recipe!

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow

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  6. I'm not a big fan of martinis either, but I love the sounds of this! Particularly since I have homemade coffee liqueur in my cupboard, espresso on my counter, and vodka in my wine rack. :-)

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    1. Looks like you are set!! We'll have to make them at the same time and toast each other virtually!!

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  7. My favorite is a lilikoi mimosa, but this martini looks yummy!

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    1. OOhhh... I"d gladly trade Lilikoi Momosa for this drink!!

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  8. That looks amazing, though I'm more of a malibu based beverage kind of gal.

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  9. I love that you made the coffee liqueur yourself!

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  10. I am impressed that you made the homemade Liqueur. I drink coffee all day long so this cocktail is right up my alley.

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  11. I know it's still morning, but a cocktail does sound rather good at the moment. I have that recipe saved for the coffee liqueur, guess I need to get on it. Happy New Years.
    -Gina-

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  12. I'm with you on this one... traditional martinis are pretty unpleasant unless you're a fan of straight vodka. :P This version sounds more my speed, especially since I'm a total coffee-a-holic!

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  13. Oh, yeah, these are SO much better than a classic martini! And SO good with your homemade coffee liqueur!!! Thanks, Kim, for this yummy recipe :)

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  14. l keep telling myself I need to start making my own liqueurs!

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  15. I LOVE home made coffee liquor - it's one of my favorite things, ever. And these days martinis can be almost anything, right? I think it's a great combo!

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  16. Okay lady, this is fabulous. I am in love with this one. Thanks for joining us this week. I love working with you.

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  17. For someone who doesn't care for martinis I would say you've done very well! There is a local restaurant here in Oklahoma City that makes the best espresso martinis ever. They have a touch of sweetness but mostly the vanilla and coffee flavors shine, accented, of course, by the vodka. I've tried a couple of recipes and haven't been able to duplicate it. Maybe your recipe will be THE one!

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  18. I am determined to make my own coffee liquor. I used to love martinis but that phase of mine came to an end abruptly. Long story. :-) This is something that I would totally try because I love coffee and I love your recipes. I hope you have a good start to your week!

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