Greet 2024 Wide-Eyed with Espresso Martinis Made with RI Ingredients

If a cocktail has a personality, the martini is that effortlessly stylish life of the party. While classically made with a mix of gin and vermouth and a signature green olive, myriad martini variations and portmanteaus include the appletini (cider, juice, liqueur, or brandy), bacon martini (infused vodka), and fictional spy James Bond’s go-to, the vodka martini, which is of course, shaken, not stirred. This storied libation with its very own long-stemmed, wide-rimmed vessel is deceptively simple to make, and with Rhody businesses providing the goods, you can sip local to pregame your celebration with this jolty java drink sure to help ring in 2024 with wide eyes and fresh energy.

Espresso Martini Time

Things to Have Handy

• Martini/cocktail glasses
• Cocktail shaker
• Cocktail strainer

In a Pinch

• Any 6-ounce glass
• 24-ounce lidded container
• Food strainer

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounce Rhodium Coffee & Black Walnut Vodka
• 1.5 ounce cold brew or cold brew concentrate of desired strength (from decaf to double strength)
• 1 tsp vanilla simple syrup (see call-out)
• 2 dashes of chocolate bitters (Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters used)

Inspired by Rhode Island Spirits

Steps

1. Fill a cocktail shaker (or 24-ounce container with lid) with ice, then ingredients, and shake for about 10 seconds.
2. Strain and pour into a cocktail glass.
3. Garnish with a few coffee beans, and/or dip rims in simple syrup and then cocoa powder for extra pizzazz.

Make it a mocktail by swapping vodka with something like Seedlip, a plant-based liquor substitute used in nonalcoholic mixed drinks.

Vanilla Simple Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract

Put water and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil; stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract until combined. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container (a canning jar is ideal). Makes 1.5 cups.

RHODY RESOURCES

A handy list of brands, shops, and makers featured in this article:

Allumé Chocolate

Wakefield | @allumechocolate

Featured: Blackberry Hazelnut Crunch Bonbon, Caramel Sea Salt Bonbon

Find beautiful bonbons at Cocktail Hour Essentials, West Warwick, and Stock Culinary Goods, Providence. For local pickup, nationwide shipping, and listing of nearby events, visit AllumeChocolate.com

AUCOIN

North Kingstown | @aucoindesigns

Featured: Styling and photography

December 2-3: Hoppy Holidays at The Guild, Pawtucket

Lighthouse Coffee Roasters & Cafe

North Kingstown | @lighthousecoffeeri

Featured: In-house roasted coffee

Catering available for the holidays

Little Chateau

Newport | @littlechateau

Featured: Ceramic Pinched Vase with Stripes; Espresso Martini Linen Tea Towel; Smoke Stem Coupe Glasses; Tuscan Marble Salt and Pepper Mill

Olive + Gigi RI

Smithfield | @oliveandgigi.ri

Featured: Acrylic event signage

Mention this article and receive 10 percent off your order of $25 or more

Rhodium, Rhode Island Spirits

Pawtucket | @rispirits

Featured: Rhodium Coffee Black Walnut Vodka

Available at liquor stores across the state. Cocktails, sample flights, tours, and products available at the Distillery & Tasting Room, 40 Bayley Street