Boston.com: The best espresso martinis in Greater Boston
This list of espresso martinis include our food writer's picks, as well as reader recommendations.
An espresso martini drinker is always a stone’s throw away from a great version of the drink here in Greater Boston.
Whether it’s a coffee cocktail for brunch or for a night out, an espresso martini will be on the menu, and if it isn’t, the bartender has probably made several that day by request.
This 80s-born, 90s-cool cocktail had a resurgence in popularity, starting in the 2010s and taking off even more post-2020.
The espresso martini is popular just about anywhere, but bartenders said it’s especially loved in Boston. If you think about it, the coffee cocktail is basically an iced Dunkin’ latte with vodka in it.
It’s also the case that just about every bar in the city has their own take on the espresso martini.
It can be a small tweak to the drink that traditionally pairs vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso. Or it can be a major makeover, switching out base liquors or mixing in flavors of mint or citrus.
It’s a great time to be a fan of this beverage. The list below includes a select few that come recommended from Boston.com food writer Katelyn Umholtz, as well as a full guide of reader-recommended options.
Best espresso martinis in Boston
Baleia
The word refreshing has never been used to describe an espresso martini — until now. That’s because at Baleia, the bartenders at this Portuguese restaurant pair mint and coconut rum with espresso and a chocolate coffee liqueur. You’ll find what’s called a “Mazagran Martini,” named after an iced coffee drink out of Algiers, on Baleia’s dessert menu. And if a decaf espresso martini is what you seek, you’ll feel no judgement on that front from this bar team.
264 E. Berkeley St., South End
Bar Vlaha
Maybe the least traditional espresso martini to make the list, the Pump the Briki comes with a straw, ice, and as the name suggests, in a pot known as a Briki. But what’s inside the long-handled pot is still very much an espresso martini, made with Greek coffee and a Cyprus dessert wine that makes this entry sweeter and richer. Just like a typical Greek iced coffee, this beverage comes with a foamy, coffee-flavored top.
1653 Beacon St., Brookline
Bricco
It’s Boston’s most well-known espresso martini. The Bricco espresso martini is available at multiple restaurants in the North End and beyond and also has a bottled version called DRINKTHAT sold in liquor stores. Their classic version combines vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlua, a hazelnut liqueur, amaretto, and espresso, served with raw sugar and cocoa around the rim.
241 Hanover St., North End
Caffe Vittoria
If the coffee is the best part of an espresso martini for you, or you insist it’s served with real espresso, then going to an Italian cafe known for its coffee and coffee cocktails is your best bet. A trip to Caffe Vittoria isn’t just worth it for the espresso martini, made with Absolut, Baileys, and Kahlua: This 1929 cafe decorated with old photos and antique espresso machine equipment feels like it’s from another era.
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290-296 Hanover St., North End
Grill 23 & Bar
Bostonians who much prefer their iced coffee in the dead of winter will also enjoy this icy espresso martini at Grill 23, which has taken home the title of Best Espresso Martini for two years in a row, according to guests at Time Out Market. Every martini gets crushed ice around the glass at Grill 23, keeping the drink cold, and you can thank the Aquafaba shaken in this classic espresso martini for that thick, foamy head.
161 Berkeley St., Back Bay
Offsuit
This tucked-away cocktail bar crafts several fun and well-done drinks, yet they’re still known for their espresso martini — bluntly named the espresso f***ing martini. The drink even has its own shirt for sale. It’s creamy and frothy without taking too much away from the coffee flavor, supplied by both espresso and Mr. Black coffee liqueur, and you’ll also taste some nutty and plum notes. You’ll wish your next latte tasted this good.
