Announcing the best espresso martini (I could find) in NYC!

Announcing the best espresso martini (I could find) in NYC!The results of our three part journeyBec HullFollow4 min read·Aug 15, 2019 --

Listen

Share

Inside Dear Irving Since starting this journey, I’ve discovered that there’s much more to an espresso martini that meets the eye. You sent me a tonne of recs and information, and I set out

to taste as many as I could and report back (before the end of this assignment).

Each espresso martini I tasted was rated against a number of factors: overall taste, care taken, garnish, glassware, price, bar vibe and some random extra bonus points. Friends came along

for the ride, to help fact-check my ratings and ensure a fair process. Here are my findings.

First up, the battle of the Australians

Banter, Greenwich VillageOverall rating: 7.5/10Solid espresso martini with a very solid happy hour. Cute digs, cold glass, 3 bean garnish and a light layer of froth. Banter’s espresso

martini is made up of vodka, fresh espresso from cafe integral and Kahlua, with probs a little more vodka than others. They also do a coffee negroni, which will be on my list for the next

happy hour. At $8 it’s almost unbeatable.

Banter’s espresso martini Dante, Greenwich VillageOverall rating: 9/10 Beautifully crafted espresso martini, very frothy, smooth to taste and in gorgeous surrounds. Dante’s espresso martini

is made with Mr Black liqueur (tick), fresh parlour espresso (tick) and Reyka Icelandic vodka (good enough). Minus one point for the bean garnish placement, everything else about this

martini was perfect. The outdoor seating and the Boozy affogato that followed put it over the edge.

Dante makes it all too cute Next up, a classic Dear Irving, Gramercy Overall rating: 8.5/10 Creamy espresso martini in slick digs. A classic New York cocktail parlour, Dear Irving takes it

drinks seriously. Made with its house cold brew, vodka, Italian coffee liqueur and a touch of vanilla liqueur this was one well-crafted, very-drinkable libation. It tasted even better with

Tequila (thank you Patty!), but I missed the three bean garnish, thick frothy layer and real espresso. Bonus point for the drinks call button by the lounge.

At the bar at Dear Irving And an italian classic Primi, NOHO Overall rating: 8/10Strong and full-bodied on Bowery. Primi’s espresso martini is off the menu and a solid order. They use vodka,

galliano and a double shot of fresh espresso (hello!!). A beautiful dark color and a thick frothy layer in a cold, round glass. You can’t go wrong!

Primi in all its glory The final say

All of the espresso martinis tasted so far have been great. For this assignment, there can really only be one winner… and for the above mentioned reasons and ratings that has to be Dante.

In the real world, my search will continue and I invite you all to join me in whatever capacity you can. That definitely includes your shake off — Amelia and Jilly, your London tour — Jade

and every other recommendation I didn’t get to in time. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this assignment so much fun.

May we find the best drinks to get woken up and fucked up in this crazy city and beyond. Ciao! x

See my previous stories herePart 1

Searching for the best espresso martinis in New York City (well, Manhattan)From Kahlua to single-source beans, an Aussie New Yorker’s 3-part search for a quality-brewed cocktail in NYC

medium.com

Part 2

Real espresso, no sweetener and good glasswarePart two of the search for New York City’s best espresso martinis, featuring your faves medium.com