National Espresso Martini Day: The Best Espresso Martinis in Miami, New York City and Los Angeles
Discover the history of the espresso martini and where to find the best versions in Miami, NYC and Los Angeles for National Espresso Martini Day.
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa | Photos by: The Setai Miami Beach
National Espresso Martini Day has evolved from a niche nod to cocktail lovers into a full cultural moment. From downtown Manhattan to Miami Beach to West Hollywood, bars prepare for one of the most ordered drinks of the year. And unlike so many viral cocktails, this one has history, structure, and staying power.
The espresso martini origin story is now legendary. In 1980s London, bartender Dick Bradsell created the first espresso martini after a model asked for something that would wake her up and then keep the night going. He built it with vodka, coffee liqueur, sugar, and freshly pulled espresso from illy. That detail matters. The drink was never meant to be sugary. It was meant to be sharp, balanced, and driven by real espresso.
More than four decades later, that foundation still defines the difference between a mediocre espresso martini and one worth ordering twice.
An exceptional espresso martini depends on crema, aroma, and extraction. illy’s bean to glass process begins with sourcing 100 percent Arabica beans across nine countries and ends with a proprietary pressurization system that preserves freshness and complexity. That attention to detail translates directly into the glass. Without bold, properly extracted espresso, the drink collapses into sweetness. With it, the cocktail becomes architectural.
Today, the espresso martini is one of the most searched cocktails in the United States, consistently ranking among the top ordered drinks in major markets. But what makes it endure is not trend cycles. It is versatility. It works at dinner. It works at midnight. It works in a velvet booth or at a standing bar under neon lights.
Across Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, the drink has become a benchmark of a serious cocktail program. Let’s take a tour through the best spots to sip ahead of National Espresso Martini Day!
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Miami
At Maple & Ash – Miami, the Espresso Martini Tree has become a visual signature. Built per drink with 2 oz Grey Goose, 1 oz Kahlúa, and 1 oz house espresso, each glass is finished with the traditional three bean garnish. It is classic in composition and dramatic in presentation. The reason it works at scale is simple. The espresso holds.
At Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, the structure deepens. Their version blends vodka, Scotch, coffee liqueur, amaro, Drambuie, honey, and 1.5 oz espresso. A pinch of cayenne in the shaker introduces heat without overwhelming the base. The result is layered and slightly rebellious, yet still disciplined. It remains coffee forward.
At The Guest House, indulgence meets balance in the GH Espresso Martini. Built with croissant infused vodka, Borghetti, Averna, and spiced demerara syrup, then topped with vanilla bean cold foam, it reads decadent. The espresso keeps it from tipping too far into dessert territory. That balance is the difference between novelty and craft.
For purists, Jaya at The Setai adheres closely to the original Bradsell formula. Vodka, Kahlúa, espresso, and a touch of simple syrup, shaken aggressively for a thick, stable froth. No reinterpretation. Just execution.
New York City
At Dante, often cited in bartender forums as one of the city’s most reliable versions, the espresso martini is balanced, restrained, and sharply executed. Every element is carefully measured, so the sweetness never overpowers, letting the espresso shine from the first sip to the lingering finish. It’s the kind of cocktail that rewards attention, revealing its precision in every detail.
The Raines Law Room delivers a plush, velvety take in a setting that feels built for slow sipping. The texture is immediately noticeable, with a froth that stays perfectly stable and a temperature that hits just right. Each sip feels deliberate, inviting you to linger and savor the luxurious balance of coffee and spirit.
At Employees Only, a bar long respected by industry insiders, the espresso martini carries depth without heaviness. The richness is there, but it never slides into syrupy territory, letting the bold coffee notes take center stage. It’s a masterclass in restraint, where the flavor is layered, sophisticated, and unmistakably precise.
At The Varnish in Downtown LA, the espresso martini is elegant and restrained, crafted with a precision that highlights its subtlety. Notes of vanilla warmth appear throughout, enhancing the espresso without masking it, creating a cocktail that feels polished and approachable. It’s a drink that rewards careful sipping, revealing layers of flavor with each taste.
Melrose Umbrella Company bridges coffee culture and cocktail culture seamlessly, creating a version that is both bold and approachable. Freshly pulled espresso anchors the drink, while a carefully calibrated sweetness adds dimension without dulling the sharpness of the coffee. The result is a cocktail that feels dynamic, layered, and effortlessly balanced.
At Bar Amá, select riffs swap vodka for mezcal, introducing smoke and savory depth to the espresso martini. Despite the added complexity, the structure remains intact, with the espresso bold enough to carry the drink through each sip. The cocktail balances innovation with precision, letting adventurous flavors shine without sacrificing clarity.
The espresso martini survives because it solves a problem. It energizes without sacrificing elegance. It feels indulgent but remains structured. It photographs well, but more importantly, it drinks well.
On National Espresso Martini Day, the formula remains deceptively simple. Freshly pulled espresso. Balanced sweetness. Neutral spirit. Aggressive shake for proper aeration. Three beans for tradition.
The drink that began in a London bar now defines late nights across the United States. Not because it trends. Because it works.
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