Espresso Martini from Dirty Rat
Dark smoky espresso, sweet creamy liquor, and vodka–a classic combination that has been popular for decades is making a rapid comeback–the espresso martini. Espresso martinis are quite common to see at restaurants in America, so I wanted to try the Italian take on the classic cocktail.
Espresso, or caffé, in Italy, is a huge staple of the Italian diet. Italians tend to prefer their espresso plain and in the form of a shot, as opposed to American preferences for huge, sugary iced lattes. Because of this, I anticipated a slightly different (and possibly tastier) espresso martini in Arezzo than in my previous experiences in America.
"Starting your day with the ultimate kick" - Emma Satterwhite
I decided to set out to the restaurant, The Dirty Rat, which is a favorite in Arezzo, to try the espresso martini. At first glance, my cocktail was a beautifully layered drink; at the bottom, it was dark brown, topped with light brown foam and a few espresso beans. After the first sip, I was immediately hit with the flavor of bitter espresso, pleasantly cut with the sweet flavor of coffee liquor. These two components balanced each other very well. There was a slightly acidic aftertaste of the vodka, which was a little bit less enjoyable.
With each sip, I began to appreciate the flavor of the espresso more and more. Italian espresso is rarely sharp and acidic like it sometimes is in America; it is much easier to drink plain. This aspect made my espresso martini much better in Italy compared to the American ones I’ve tried. Overall, the drink wasn’t too strong in alcohol, and it provided me with the perfect lunchtime pick-me-up I needed to get through the rest of my day.
Storyteller: Emma Satterwhite
Editor: Alexis Martinez
Photographer: Emma Satterwhite
This is wonderful
beautifully written