Sip, Shake, Repeat: Why Espresso Martinis Are the Ultimate Pick‑Me‑Ups
They say the best things in life come in pairs, and coffee cocktails are the living, breathing proof of that. When cocktail maestro Dick Bradsell first rattled up the Espresso Martini, the world quickly learned you can have your caffeine and your booze—and then some.
How to Get Your Double Dose of Wake‑Me‑Up:
- Choose the Right Shot – A fresh, brisk espresso is the secret sauce. Skip the stale, because a half‑drained cup is no good for a high‑energy drink.
- Mood‑Boosting Mixers – Traditional recipes call for vodka and coffee liqueur, but you can sneak in a splash of vanilla or a dusting of cocoa for extra flavor.
- Shake it Like a Pro – Fill the shaker three‑quarters full, add ice, and give it a good, hard shake for about 20 seconds. That’s the moment the magic happens.
- Garnish with Flair – Three coffee beans on top? Classic. Or try a twist of orange peel to add a citrus zing.
- Serve Fast and Fresh – The colder and fresher, the better. Don’t let that espresso cool down before you pour.
Spice it Up: Mini Twists You Should Try
Got a unique craving? Mix it up:
- Malted Espresso Martini – Add a small amount of malted milk powder to get that creamy, coffee shop vibe.
- Chocolate‑Covered Cosmo – Swap the vodka for Chambord and chill with dark chocolate.
- Apple Cider Espresso Splash – Mix a touch of apple cider with the shot for a fall‑in‑love twist.
Remember: The Ultimate Espresso Martini Has Two Ingredients of Pure Happiness
So, next time you’re looking for a caffeine fix that’s also a party in a glass, just remember: coffee + booze = double trouble, double joy. Cheers!
Jigger & Pony: Espresso Martini
Not one to do things half-heartedly, the folks at Jigger and Pony worked with leading local roastery PPP Coffee to create their own espresso blend – with beans from Brazil’s Rio Brilhante Estate and Thippanahalli Estate in India – for their Espresso Martini (28++). Shaken with Grey Goose vodka and coffee flower honey, the soft frothiness provides a textural prelude to the full-bodied cocktail. Enjoy with the fun cacao tuile garnish for the perfect balance of sweet, savoury and bitterness.
Jigger and Pony is located at 165 Tanjong Pagar Rd, Amara Hotel, Singapore 088539, p. +65 9621 1074. Open Tue-Thu 6pm-12am, Fri-Sat, 6pm-2am, Sun 6pm-12am. Closed Mon.
Republic Bar: Satisfaction
Mick Jagger’s Irish Coffee—The Rock‑in‑a‑Mug Classic
Why This Warm‑Up Is Rock Harder Than The Rolling Stones
Picture this: a chunky, creamy mix of Stout, Jameson Caskmates, fresh espresso, and a splash of vanilla‑laden Irish stout reduction. It’s a velvety, coffee‑cocoa cocktail so smooth it practically deserves its own bass line. Mick Jagger called it “Satisfaction”—and with a price that says $25+… it’s the kind of drink that earns every penny by letting you sip a mini‑rock concert.
What’s Brewing Inside
- Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition whiskey – the spirit that’s raised its own bars.
- Freshly brewed espresso – the caffeine punch that keeps you awake for the encore.
- A drizzle of Irish stout reduction – thick, chocolatey, and a little heavy‑handed.
- Powdered cocoa & a whisper of vanilla – the sweet closing track.
What to Expect From the Sip
It’s smooth, it’s rich, and it’s so bold it could headline a concert by itself. Think of it as the espresso you’d pour when you’ve got a smashed board in your hand but still need to finish the last stretch of a long‑time‑running song. It’s the perfect call you’re looking for, guaranteed to give you the taste of a rockstar’s morning.
How to Get Your Hands (and Mugs) on It
- Location: 7 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039799
- Phone: +65 6434 5288
- Hours: Mon‑Sat 2:30 pm‑12 am, Sun 12 pm‑10 pm
So if you’re craving a drink that’s as high‑energy as a Stones tour and as smooth as a moonlit encore, head down to Republic Bar. It’s time to satisfy that sweet craving—Mick Jagger style.
Night Hawk: Nighthawks
For something a little bit different, head to Tanjong Pagar’s new cocktail bar inspired by that Edward Hopper painting. Well-balanced in coffee and chocolate, Nighthawks ($25++) kicks it with a split base trio of rum, vodka, and amaro. Though the hot-cold concept is not new, the contrast is done nicely here with the light and hot coconut maple foam and the coolness of the shaken boozy mix.
Night Hawk is located at 43 Tanjong Pagar Rd, #01-02, Singapore 088464, p. +65 9666 0928. Open Tue-Sat 5.30pm-12am. Closed Mon & Sun.
No Sleep Club: Espresso Martini
No Sleep Club’s Espresso Martini: Wake‑Up Call in a Cup
Why It’s a Must‑Try
Picture this: a splash of tequila paired with a sharp shot of espresso, all served in a humble coffee mug. That’s the Espresso Martini at No Sleep Club – the cocktail that’s more than a simple drink; it’s a bold, buzzing punch that’s designed to be the perfect after‑party pick‑me‑up.
The mix of agave spirit (yes, tequila is technically a stimulant) and the club’s coffee expertise turns this beverage into a swivel‑turn, sobering jolt that will have you humming “I’ve got no sleep… but I’ll keep going” while you sip.
Location & Hours
- Address: 20 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089127
- Phone: +65 8838 0188
- Open:
- Tues‑Sat: 6 pm to 12 am
- Sun: 12 pm to 6 pm
- Closed on Mondays
Native Restaurant: Keluak Martini
Native Restaurant – A Local Love Affair on 52 Amoy Street
Why it’s a culinary hotspot
Native is the pioneer of “buy‑in‑the‑neighborhood” food. They’ve turned local produce and local talent into a delicious manifesto. The result? A place where every dish feels like a neighborhood gossip, only tastier.
Spotlight: The Keluak Martini
Think you’ve tried every fine cocktail? Think again. The Keluak Martini, running at $25+, marries the deep, earthy notes of Sumatran Gayo coffee with the nutty punch of buah keluak and a splash of chickpea miso. It’s a drink so layered it probably has its own backstory. Sip it, and you’ll feel like you’re floating amid a coffee bean sunrise.
Getting There
- Address: 52 Amoy Street, Singapore 069878
- Phone: +65 8869 6520
- Hours: Mon‑Sat 6 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: Closed
Ready to taste local love?
Drop in, order the Keluak Martinini, and let the flavors show you how small‑town flavors can become a full‑scale sensation.
The Store: Coffee Kombucha Espresso Martini
Chatting About the Coffee‑Kombucha Espresso Martini
Think the mix of heavy coffee and tangy kombucha sounds like a mad mash‑up? The Store turns that into almost a smooth adventure. Their Espresso‑Kombucha Kombucha Martini pulls together a belated espresso buzz, a frothy herbal kick, and a splash of rum, finishing with a dusting of pistachio that whispers nutty secrets.
Why this Cocktail Feels Like a Winning Combo
- Roasty Balance – The coffee slam into the kombucha’s zing is trimmed; it doesn’t feel like a battle but smooth jazz.
- Rum Accent – Adds a gentle heat, preventing it from going too flat.
- Pistachio Dust – A covert aroma layer that feels surprisingly gentle and surprisingly nutty.
All of this begins at just over $24 – a pretty sweet deal for a cocktail that practically sings.
Where to Find This Perky Mix
Drop by The Store at 11 Neil Rd, Singapore 088809. The place starts serving this drink at 4 pm and keeps the fun going until midnight.
Opening Hours
- Tuesday‑Saturday: 4 pm – 12 am
– Closed on Mondays and Sundays
Got a chicken‑pox! If you want to taste something that feels like an espresso shot meets a kombucha cocktail, give them a ring at +65 8731 1883 to place your order early.
Manhattan: Cigarette Break
Manhattan’s Cigarette Break: A Smoky, Sweet Tribute to a Legendary Pairing
Picture this: a bartender, a cigarette craving, and a touch of culinary curiosity. Thomas Keller’s little-fanny twist – a tobacco leaf‑infused dessert for a cigarette‑craving Anthony Bourdain – inspired a cocktail that now lives in the heart of Singapore’s culinary streets.
What’s Inside the Bottle?
- Bowmore 12‑Year Whisky – the smoky, peaty backbone that keeps the cocktail feeling like a cozy fireside.
- Luxardo Hazelnut & Espresso Liqueur – the sweet, coffee‑y counterbalance that whispers “café” with every sip.
- Egg white – gives it that silky, frothy texture, like a cloud of espresso.
- Served beside an edible toasted coconut “cigarette” – think crunchy, coconut‑flavored fun for the palate.
In short: the cocktail is a playful homage that dances between smokiness and sweetness, complete with a bit of crunch that’s almost too legal to smoke!
We’re About to Taste It
Location: Level 2, Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road
Contact: +65 6725 3377
Hours of Operation
- Wednesday – Saturday: 5 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 3 pm
- Closed on Monday and Tuesday
So if you’re craving a little smoky nostalgia mixed with espresso sparkle, head over to Manhattan’s Cigarette Break. Your taste buds (and your inner adventurer) will thank you.
Live Twice: Golden Butterfly
Coffee That Paints Smiles: Golden Butterfly at Live Twice
A Not‑So‑Bitter Brew
Coffee lovers, you’ve probably been told every cup must feel like a punch of bitterness. Live Twice flips that script with its Golden Butterfly (price starts at $25). This cold‑brew wonder packs a caffeine burst that leans more on fresh floral petals and juicy fruit notes than on the usual earthy grind. Think of it as a tea‑like, coffee‑like smoothie that’s both sweet‑and‑sour and irresistibly addictive.
The Sweet‑Bitters Mix
The know‑its orchestrate the coffee’s natural earthy base with a splash of Waqar pisco, leather‑soft grapes, and a touch of verjus. The result? A silky, rounded flavor that’s no plain‑old bitter—fancy, friend‑edgy, and surprisingly on‑trendy.
Where It Lives
Hours (Because Time Is Coffee‑Shooting!)
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon | 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. |
| Wed‑Thu | 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. |
| Fri‑Sat | 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. |
| Sun | 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. |
| Tue | Closed |
Why It’s Worth a Visit
If you’re tired of coffee that feels like a sudden espresso overdose, swing by 20 Bukit Pasoh to sip something truly buttery‑sweet with a twist of citrus. The Golden Butterfly proves that coffee doesn’t have to be a mood‑drying agent—it can be a joyous, fun‑filled experience that leaves you craving the next cup.
