Spiced rum Espresso Martini

Here is how to make the rum cocktail.

Cocktail ingredients for a single serving
- 50ml Swan Knight Distillery golden spiced rum
- 40ml freshly made espresso
- 20ml simple syrup
- 10ml Kahlua

Recipe
- Mix the espresso together with crushed ice until it is thoroughly chilled
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix again
- Pour into a martini glass
- Add coffee beans to garnish

How and when to drink this spiced rum cocktail

The traditional espresso martini is made with vodka but we prefer it with spiced rum instead. It has the same colour and hit of caffeine but the spices in the rum provide a little extra depth to the cocktail. It is so versatile that it can be sipped in the afternoon sunshine as well as before or after dinner. The froth on the top of the cocktail, which the three coffee beans sit on, can be made by vigorously shaking the mix.

For us, the sweetness from the simple syrup and the rum balance really well with the freshly made espresso and Kahlua. However, if it is too sweet then reducing the simple syrup would be the best place to start. It is also possible to make the cocktail with espresso that has chilled in the fridge for an hour or so.

Inspiration for the cocktail

Popular belief is that the cocktail was created in 1983 by the bartender, Dick Bradsell, at Fred's Club. The original was made with both Kahlua and Tia Maria. Over the years since then, the cocktail has had mixed fortunes in terms of popularity. It is currently going through a revival and can be found on the menu of many cocktail bars. It is certainly one of our favourites.

An enormous number of alternative recipes exist with variations including amaro, whisky and gin, as well as the original vodka. Coffee infused simple syrup works well as do Tia Maria and other coffee liqueurs. In fact, this cocktail is also great with many types of syrups, such as vanilla, hazelnut or gingerbread. There is a lot of enjoyment to be had with trying various alternative ingredients.