With National Espresso Martini Day quickly approaching on Saturday, March 15, we’re sharing our favorite ways to celebrate the crowd-pleasing cocktail, from the specialty riffs being shaken up at Philadelphia’s top restaurants and cocktail bars to unique takes you can mix up at home.
Out & About:
48 Record Bar, the stylish listening room and cocktail bar perched above Philadelphia’s legendary Sassafras in historic Old City, is the perfect spot for celebrating National Espresso Martini Day with the Look Ma, Both Hands ($16). This reimagined classic blends Jefferson’s Bourbon, Gosling’s Rum, Espresso Infused Campari, Cocchi Torino, chocolate bitters, and a brandied cherry, offering a perfect balance of bright sweetness and rich, velvety flavors.
Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm-2am
48 S. Second Street, Philadelphia, PA | Website | Instagram | Spotify | Facebook
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Alice, Chef Dave Conn’s hyper-seasonal contemporary American restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market, offers a refined take on the Espresso Martini ($18) perfect for celebrating National Espresso Martini Day on Saturday, March 15. Crafted with Ultimo Coffee espresso, vodka, bourbon, amaro, and finished with charred Malden salt — this cocktail delivers a bold, complex flavor with a smooth, smoky finish.
PHOTO: Espresso Martini (Credit: Gab Bonghi)
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 5 – 10pm and Sunday 5 – 9pm
901 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA | (215) 798-6766 | Website | Instagram
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There’s no better spot to celebrate National Espresso Martini Day than Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s coffee roastery and full-service café-by-day and cocktail bar-by-night with locations in Chestnut Hill and Ardmore. Whether cozied up on one of the several sofas, perched at a high-top table, or seated at the bar, imbibers can indulge in an expertly crafted Char & Stave Espresso Martini ($13), made with Bluebird Distilling Vodka, espresso, and toasted cardamom, alongside a pastry (or two!).
Plus, lovers of this luxurious cocktail can keep the celebration going with Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur (60 proof, 750 ml, $34.99), available for in-person purchase at both Char & Stave locations, and perfect for shaking up bar-quality espresso martinis at home.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 7am – 11pm, Friday through Saturday 8am – 12am, Sunday 8am – 11pm
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore PA | 8441 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA | www.charandstave.com | Instagram: @charandstavecoffee
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Little Walter’s, Philadelphia’s contemporary Polish restaurant and bar from Chef/Owner Michael Brenfleck, and recently named in The New York Times’ 2024 Restaurant List as one of America’s 50 Favorite Places, serves a bold and unique espresso martini on the desert menu: The Baritska ($14). Crafted with rich, fresh-pulled espresso, coffee liqueur, and a crisp pour of Polish vodka, this cocktail strikes the perfect balance of classic flavors with a refined Polish twist.
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 5pm – 10pm for dinner, and Monday from 4pm – 8pm, and Tuesday through Saturday from 4pm – 6pm for happy hour
2049 E Hagert St, Philadelphia, PA | 267.239.2228 | Website | Instagram
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Puttshack, the world’s first and only tech-infused mini golf experience, serves up the Cold Brew Espresso Martini ($15)—a bold blend of Wheatley vodka, cold brew coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, Licor 43, and chocolate bitters. Guests can elevate their sip with Casamigos Reposado for an additional $5, adding extra depth to this smooth, energizing cocktail.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 11am – 11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am – 12am, and Sunday 11am — 10pm.
The Shops at Liberty Place: 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.907.PUTT | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, is celebrating National Espresso Martini Day with its newest spring cocktail, the Jumping Beans ($17). Made with El Tesoro tequila, Cantera Negra, Licor 43, and La Colombe Espresso, this cocktail combines bold espresso with vanilla-orange sweetness and a smooth agave finish.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30 – 10:45am, Saturday and Sunday 8 – 10am (breakfast); Monday through Friday 11:30am – 4:30pm (lunch); Monday through Friday 4:30 – 10pm, Saturday 5 – 10pm (dinner); and Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm (brunch).
433 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA | 215.923.2267 | Philadelphia, PA | Website | Instagram
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Stratus Rooftop Lounge, perched above Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco, has created a tropical spin on the espresso martini with the Tropical Red Eye ($17)—a blend of Bacardi Ocho rum, coconut, chocolate, coffee liqueur, and lime. Rich coffee and chocolate meet creamy coconut and zesty citrus for a refreshing yet indulgent sip, perfect for celebrating National Espresso Martini Day.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5pm – 12pm, Friday 5pm – 2am, Saturday 5pm – 2am
433 Chestnut St. (11th floor of Kimpton Hotel Monaco) | 215.925.2889 | http://www.stratuslounge.com
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180-degree views of the Delaware River, offers a twist on the classic martini with its speciality dessert cocktail. Expertly crafted by Stella’s Beverage Manager, Ian Houska, the Stella Espresso Martini ($16) consists of vodka, kahlua, vanilla bean, and La Colombe Cold Brew. This cocktail is the perfect post-dinner treat, providing a refreshing yet indulgent way to cap off the evening.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5 – 12am, Friday 5 – 2am, Saturday 8 – 2am
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 • 267.740.2691 • Website • Instagram • Facebook
At-Home Antics:
Imbibers looking to shake things up this National Espresso Martini Day can go beyond the usual coffee-and-vodka combo with fresh takes on the classic cocktail from Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s coffee roastery and full-service café-by-day and cocktail bar-by-night, Tamworth Distilling, the rural New Hampshire distillery best known for bold experimentations and boundary-pushing spirits, and The Pathfinder Hemp and Root, the pioneering nonalcoholic elixir blazing trails through the spirits industry.
Whether looking for a decadent dessert-inspired sip or a bold, buzzy twist, espresso martini enthusiasts can perk up the beloved cocktail with the unexpected flavors and playful takes in the recipes below:
Char & Stave Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. Char & Stave Classic Coffee Liqueur
- 1 oz. Char & Stave Everyday Espresso
Glassware: Coupe
Garnish: Coffee beans
Instructions: Shake and strain into a coupe glass.
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Tamworth Distilling Aquavit Espresso Martini
Recipe courtesy of Lee Noble, Quaker City Mercantile Cocktail Specialist
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. Tamworth Distilling White Mountain Skiklubben Aquavit
- 1 oz. coffee liqueur
- 1 shot of espresso or 1 oz. cold brew concentrate
- .5 oz. demerara syrup*
Glassware: Coupe
Garnish: Three coffee beans
Instructions: Add aquavit, coffee liqueur, espresso/cold brew concentrate, and demerara syrup to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.
*Demerara syrup: Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let cool, then store in an airtight container.
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Tamworth Distilling Espresso Zestini
Recipe courtesy of Lee Noble, Quaker City Mercantile Cocktail Specialist
Ingredients:
- 1 oz. Tamworth Garden Citrus Cordial
- 1.5 oz. Tamworth Distilling White Mountain Vodka
- .75 oz. maple syrup
- 1 double shot of espresso
- Orange peel oil expression
Glassware: Coupe
Garnish: Orange slice
Instructions: Add cordial, vodka, maple syrup, and espresso to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with orange slice.
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The Pathfinder Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz. The Pathfinder Hemp and Root
- 1.5 oz. vodka
- 1 shot of espresso or cold brew concentrate
Glassware: Martini
Garnish: Lemon slice
Instructions: Add ice and all ingredients to a shaker, shake until chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass.
