All Products

A cocktail known by many names throughout its history, the origins of the Espresso Martini will remain the stuff of myth and legend for years to come. The story goes that one day a young supermodel sidled up to Dick Bradsell’s bar at the Soho Brasserie and requested a pick-me-up cocktail with coffee…although her exact words were a little different! Mixing the now infamous drink with vodka, coffee liqueur, a shot of espresso and a little sugar, the Espresso Martini was thus born. The cocktail’s name may have changed through Dick’s bartending history (the 'Pharmaceutical Stimulant' is our personal favorite), but the iconic combination of vodka and coffee has remained the same since its inception.

This story begins in Paris, at Harry’s Bar, where the famous barman Harry McElhone invented this special cocktail for Erksine Gwynne. Gwynne was well known because he was the grandson of the magnate Alfred Vanderbilt. Thanks to Gwynne, the Boulevardier became famous when he published the recipe in his “Barflies and Cocktails”, circa 1927, and he went on to create a monthly magazine called "Boulevardier”.