I Tried Zing Zang’s New Espresso Martini Mix—Here’s the Verdict

The Espresso Martini has made the move from trendy drink to cocktail menu staple. It’s not going anywhere. But it’s a b*tch to make at home. Who has time to brew espresso and let it cool before stirring up a cocktail? Who has that kind of forethought? Not I!

Videos by Sporked

When the craving for a caffeinated ‘Tini hits, you could reach for a canned Espresso Martini, but you could also keep a bottle of Espresso Martini mix on hand. Speaking of which, Zing Zang (maker of popular Bloody Mary and Margarita mixes) has just released a new Espresso Martini mix—and I got an early taste. Get your vodka and mixing glass ready and let’s get into the review.

New Espresso Martini Mix!

Zing Zang Espresso Martini Mix

Amazon

Pros: Unlike some other Espresso Martini mixes I’ve tried, this one does, genuinely, taste like espresso. It has a fruity-chocolatey flavor like you get with some very concentrated espressos. It’s not just sweetened coffee, it’s very much sweetened espresso. And it’s pleasantly complex, as well. I get a hit of orange zest in the flavors, almost as if you expressed a swath of orange peel over the drink. It’s actually caffeinated—60mg of caffeine per serving. So you are really getting the true Espresso Martini experience. It’s also pretty affordable. You can get a 32oz bottle (that’s eight servings) from Amazon for $12.99. That’s less than most bar-made Espresso Martinis cost.

Cons: You need to mix this with alcohol. Do not treat it like an N/A Espresso Martini and just pour it into a glass. It is seriously sweet—too sweet to be sipped alone, but the right level of sweetness to cut any harshness from a good glug of vodka. I would also, personally, stir the mix with vodka and ice before straining it into a glass, for a touch more dilution. It’s pretty intense!

Verdict: This is the best Espresso Martini mix I’ve tried so far. While it’s definitely on the sweet side, I think it captures the flavors of a classic Espresso Martini. If you’ve been craving some buzzy booze at home, it’s a good buy.

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

About the Author

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.