Joe Valencia is a seasoned bar veteran and director of food and beverage at The C Restaurant + Bar on Cannery Row. But he really didn’t need all of that experience to spot a trend. “We noticed everyone was ordering espresso martinis,” he says. “Let’s capitalize on that.”
Smart move. According to data gathered by Nielsen IQ, the espresso martini broke the cocktail top 10 in 2022 and jumped to sixth a year ago.
The bar’s lineup illustrates just why the cocktail has become so popular. While their classic version is smooth and easy-sipping, with a haunting wail of coffee, the espresso martini is capable of more. For instance, the New Age welcomes Bailey’s, chocolate liqueur and chocolate bitters to the party for a creamy sensation that mutes coffee’s bitter streak. South of the Border delivers a notion of citrus zest thanks to a dash of orange bitters that underscores the coffee while tequila and chili liqueur provide a raspy kick.
The All Nighter zeroes back in on the coffee. “The idea is that it’s a little more robust,” explains The C bartender Luis Salinas. And with a double shot of espresso and a dollop of coffee liqueur, it is swarthy and stout. “If you’re a coffee drinker, that’s the one you go for,” he adds.
Yet there is dimension to this version, as well – a plush, creamy foam and a gentle nip of citrus give it a bright, genteel edge.
The bar has elevated the trendy cocktail. And that’s a great thing.
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