National Espresso Martini Day is Coming In Hot

March 15th is National Espresso Martini Day, and what better excuse to sip on this rich, caffeinated classic? The Espresso Martini has been stealing the spotlight on menus all over the DMV — Bold espresso kick + smooth, boozy finish = pure magic. And if you’ve been humming Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso on repeat (guilty! 🎶), you know this drink has been having a long moment.

To learn what makes a killer Espresso Martini, we popped into the new, super sexy Bar Betsie in the Union Market District for a lesson from one of the area’s most notable shakers, Jean Paul Sabatier (aka JP). According to JP, it’s all about balance — rich espresso, quality vodka, coffee liqueur, and just the right amount of sweetness. The result? A silky, frothy delight that’s dangerously easy to drink.

But wait — JP asked, "Should we be bad?" Um...yes! JP tipped us off to the Espresso Martini at Jane Jane — fittingly called the "Should We Be Bad?" — and trust me, if JP suggests you should be bad, the answer is always yes. He even graciously provided the recipe so you can shake one up at home. Want to watch him shake it up himself? Check out the video, here.

Should We Be Bad? Espresso Martini
JP Sabatier, Jane Jane & Bar Betsie
Serves One

Fill shaker with ice
Pour in:

1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Cold Brew
1 oz St. George Coffee Liqueur
1/2 oz Velvet Falernum
1 Dash Orange Bitters
Shake vigorously
Strain into a coupe or martini glass
Garnish with an orange twist

Want to take a tour of the best Espresso Martinis in the DMV? Check out our picks below and sip along… "That’s that me espresso..." 🎵 

All Set: Wicked Good Morning, available during brunch, made with cinnamon infused whiskey, almond cream, Dave's Coffee syrup, coffee 
Charbay Espresso Cocktail: Made with Arabica & Robusta coffee beans, real Tahitian & Triunfadora vanilla, and a cane neutral spirit base 
El Chucho: Espresso-Tini Nitro, with cold brew casa noble tequila, amaro & bitters, aqufaba 
Corso: Espresso Martini with Tito’s Vodka, Bailey’s, Kahlua, and fresh-brewed espresso (try it for just $5 every Tuesday during their all-day ‘Tini Tuesday martini special) 
Lucy: Espresso Martini with Luksusowa vodka, Don Ciccio Cioccolato, espresso, cinnamon, chocolate bitters 
Perry’s: Not An Espresso Martini with Cacao nib tea, Stoli vanilla, Mr. Blacks, Rocktown cacao and Irish Cream, Licor 43 
Silver Lyan: 1942 Espresso Martini with Don Julio 1942, cinnamon piloncillo, orange 
St Agrestis Phony Espresso Negroni: A non-alcoholic option with a touch of carbonation to mimic the bite of alcohol 
Tip Top Espresso Martini Cocktail: Made with vodka, Counter Culture espresso, and vanilla