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.
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.
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Justine Sterling
Luke Field
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!