The Italian Twist: How to Make Our Ciao Amaro Espresso Martin
The Espresso Martini: A Modern Classic
The Espresso Martini is a titan of the modern cocktail world. Created by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s, the story goes that a famous model asked for a drink that would "wake me up, and then f*** me up." His creation—a bold mix of vodka, fresh espresso, and coffee liqueur—did just that, and has been a global sensation ever since. It’s a perfectly simple recipe, but one that has inspired countless variations.
Amaro: An Ancient Italian Tradition
While the Espresso Martini is a recent invention, the secret to our Italian twist is a liqueur with ancient roots. Amaro, which simply means "bitter" in Italian, is a traditional herbal liqueur with a history stretching back centuries.
Originally crafted in monasteries and pharmacies for medicinal purposes, these complex liqueurs were designed to be served as a digestif after a meal. Each Amaro recipe is a closely guarded secret, often involving dozens of locally sourced herbs, roots, flowers, and citrus peels steeped in alcohol. From the alpine notes of Braulio to the citrus-forward profile of Montenegro, Amaro is a celebrated and diverse part of Italy's culinary heritage.
When Two Histories Meet: The Ciao Amaro Espresso Martini
Our Ciao Amaro Espresso Martini is where these two histories collide. It’s where the high-energy of 1980s London meets the centuries-old tradition of Italian digestifs. This unique cocktail was born from our collaboration with the acclaimed Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews. Together, we created Ciao Amaro—a Scottish take on the classic Italian liqueur.
With notes of bitter orange, rhubarb, and rich herbs, Ciao Amaro transforms the standard Espresso Martini. It cuts through the sweetness of the coffee liqueur and balances the bitterness of the espresso, adding a deep, aromatic complexity that elevates the entire drink.
How to Craft the Ciao Amaro Espresso Martini
Ready to create this perfectly balanced cocktail at home?
Ingredients:
- 25ml Tayport Malt Barley Vodka
- 25ml Tayport Coffee Liqueur
- 15ml Ciao Amaro
- 25ml Freshly Brewed Espresso (chilled)
- Coffee beans, to garnish
Method:
- Prepare your ingredients: Brew a shot of espresso and let it cool completely. This is crucial for creating a rich, frothy head.
- Chill your glass: Fill a coupe or martini glass with ice to chill it while you mix.
- Combine and shake: Add the vodka, Tayport Coffee Liqueur, Ciao Amaro, and cooled espresso to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds.
- Strain and serve: Discard the ice from your glass. Double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass and wait a moment for the foam to settle on top.
- Garnish: Carefully place three coffee beans on the foam to garnish.
