Boston’s BEST Espresso Martini Is Coming To Your Local Liquor Store!

Can someone say HALLELUJAH?! Quite frankly (no pun intended), I'm shocked this hasn't already been done but the genius that is the son of restaurateur Frank DePasquale AND head bartender at Bricco have just come up with the most brilliant idea ever. The are taking the absolute BEST espresso martinis in Boston, bottling them up, and selling them in local liquor stores. This will allow us to get the amazing taste of the best espresso martini at home with literally NO work. Who do we have to thank for this masterpiece? Joey DePasquale and Bricco head bartender, Glen LaMaitre.

So I consider myself a connoisseur of espresso martinis as it's one of the only drinks I have on the weekend. I also consider myself a foodie and travel all over the state to some of the best restaurants.  There are some that come VERY close as I will give an honorable mention to Fratelli's inside of Encore Boston Harbor. Billy, Diego, Patrick and the crew take a lot of pride in their espresso martinis and they are DELICIOUS. But the drink that reigns supreme is the espresso martini at Bricco at 241 Hanover Street in Boston's North End. Bricco is owned by Frank DePasquale and while their food is delicious, NOTHING beats their espresso martinis.

What's the recipe? While I can tell you the ingredients, you'll have to figure out the amounts. The Bricco espresso martini contains: Baileys, espresso, Kahlua, Amaretto and Frangelico. The magic will be bottled up soon and sold in your local liquor store. I've been told this will be happening in TWO MONTHS. (March ish) No word on pricing but the bottled espresso martinis will also be sold in all DePasquale restaurants. So THANK YOU Joey and Glen! We can't WAIT.

Dang, I wish I could have been the one doing the research on this topic. I do enjoy a good espresso martini. But honestly, finding a really good one is tough. And making them yourself isn't so easy either. So many bars and restaurants subsitute the main ingredient. Did you know many establishments use espresso flavored liqueur instead of actual espresso or at least a cold brew?  Make sure you ask if it's made with real espresso when ordering. I always do. If you are looking for a really good espresso martini in Boston. Check out these spots, below!

Thanks to Boston Magazine for doing the difficult research required for this "best of" list. It had to be a labor of love. They shared the results of their "study," and you will find them below (in alphabetical order).  Twelve of Greater Boston’s best are "takes on the classic espresso martini—one fool proof way to get both kinds of buzzes in one excellent drink."  Different strokes for different folks has led to a list that has something for everyone; from the traditional to truly unique. You will also find alcohol variations using rum and tequila. There's even a "nod to The Big Lebowski." Pass all this valuable information on to your friends. If you're looking for a really good espresso martini in Boston. Check out these spots!

Cheers!

241 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-248-6800, bricco.com. 

Boston Magazine raves, the Bricco recipe "combines Absolut Vanilla vodka with Baileys, Kahlúa, Frangelico, and Disaronno, and the foamy top is smooth, thick, and flavorful. Add house-made espresso and a sugar-and-cocoa rim, and Bricco’s espresso martini keeps customers coming back for more." Ummm, yes please.

https://bricco.com/

328 Washington St., Brighton, Boston, 617-208-8698, brightonbodega.com

The Bodega blend takes you south of the border by using tequila. "Dessert Before Dinner, Brighton Bodega’s tequila-based take on an espresso martini, features Casa Mexico Reposado and Flor de Caña Spresso, a coffee liqueur, rounded out with cacao and lime." (Boston Magazine)

https://brightonbodega.com/

25 Massachusetts Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 857-277-0075, cafesauvage.com

Here, the menu features two caffeinated cocktails.Boston Magazine says " The Sauvage Espresso’tini starts with spiced rum, espresso liqueur, and Irish cream, and it gets an added boost from cold brew. Espresso martini lovers will also enjoy The Dude: vanilla vodka, espresso liqueur, pumpkin spices, and milk."

https://www.cafesauvage.com/

Locations in Salem, Boston and Cambridge- find them here

As you would image a place that specializes in coffee is going to make a killer espresso, because it's all about the coffee. Boston Magazine recommends teh Vietnamese coffee martini.

https://www.jaho.com/

230 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-367-2824, parlaboston.com

An espresso martini with a Boston twist? They use Molly's Irish Cream. And by the way, the patio is open!

https://www.parlaboston.com/

331 Sumner St., East Boston, 617-561-1061, thequietfew.com

Like your martini with an edge. This is the place. As Boston Magazine points out, "the neighborhood whiskey tavern” in East Boston with “no frills, couple of spills”—features a whiskey-based version of an espresso martini. The cocktail, dubbed Coffee and Cigarettes, has a base of German rye whiskey, whose dark chocolate and coffee notes mix well with Galliano Ristretto (an espresso liqueur) and cold brew"

https://www.thequietfew.com/

327 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-351-2500, sonsieboston.com.

Sonsie is all about the traditional, with a hint of vanilla. Boston Magazine boasts their is an"especially well-made espresso martini with vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlúa, and espresso"

https://www.sonsieboston.com/

2 locations: 58 Batterymarch St., Downtown Boston, 617-348-1230, tradesmanboston.com;

50 Hood Park Dr., Charlestown, Boston, 617-337-5196, tradesmanctown.com.

TCS's serves a traditional but "especially well-made espresso martini" with vanilla vodka, Baileys, Kahlúa, and espresso.

https://www.tradesmanctown.com/

27 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-338-6333, wigshopboston.com.

According to the article, "Rise & Grind, will wake you right up; in fact, the bar will only serve you one of these per visit thanks to its high caffeine content. The drink—not exactly an espresso martini, but it scratches that itch—combines rum with cold brew coffee, the espresso liqueur Borghetti, cinnamon-demerara, whipped cream, and sea salt, with a mini chocolate-covered pretzel on the side."

https://www.wigshopboston.com/

2 Winter Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston, 617-267-0047, yvonnesboston.com.

If you like your espresso martini on the darker side, Yvonne's is for you. As Boston Magazine says, "Yvonne’s take is a bit stronger on the espresso flavor and less like a dessert than others on this list because it sticks to the traditional recipe of vodka, espresso, and Kahlúa—no Irish cream. (Vanilla syrup rounds out the drink.)"

https://www.yvonnesboston.com/