The Espresso Martini is here to stay. What began as a supermodel’s request to a London bartender for a drink that would both wake her up and F her up is now such a popular cocktail that you can buy it by the bottle at Trader Joe’s.
Yep, one of the new products at Trader Joe’s is a bottled Espresso Martini, made with real vodka, real espresso, and, per the brand, a “touch of vanilla.” It’s 20% ABV (40 proof), and each bottle contains about four servings. And, at just $10, it’s cheaper than almost any Espresso Martini you’d order off a cocktail menu.
But is it any good? I’ve tasted a lot of Espresso Martinis (homemade, bartender-made, and canned), so I put it to the test. Read on to find out if you should snag a bottle before it disappears.
New Trader Joe’s Cocktail!
- Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini
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Pros: It smells like a Caramel Macchiato—super sweet with a tinge of coffee. But the flavor veers away from a classic coffee drink into something totally different. It’s sweet and desserty and it has a bit of a fruity, dark chocolate flavor. While Espresso Martini purists probably won’t be satisfied by this incarnation, I think folks looking for a boozy sweet treat will enjoy it. Serve it chilled, shake it with ice, or follow this person’s recommendation and pour it over vanilla ice cream.
Cons: It doesn’t really taste like an Espresso Martini. I’m not sure how that’s possible if it’s really only made with espresso, vodka, and vanilla. But it’s fruity in that chocolaty way I mentioned above, with a twang that steers it away from a traditional Espresso Martini flavor profile. It’s also very, very sweet. I think Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini has a place as an after dinner digestif. But it’s really very much its own thing. If you really want the best Espresso Martini in a can or bottle, we’ve got better recommendations.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
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