Once written off as a retro relic of the late ’90s, the espresso martini is suddenly back — and it’s thriving. Sleek, caffeinated and endlessly Instagrammable, the drink has re-emerged as one of the hottest trends in cocktail culture.
According to industry data, sales of espresso martinis jumped about 50% over the past year, making it one of the top-selling cocktails in many U.S. bars. Scroll through TikTok or glance at a bar menu, and chances are, you’ll see the dark, foamy silhouette of an espresso martini staring back at you.
In Chattanooga and beyond, espresso martinis are all the buzz
A Drink With History
The espresso martini wasn’t born on social media, though it certainly lives there now. The cocktail traces its roots to 1980s London, where bartender Dick Bradsell reportedly created it at the request of a model who wanted something to wake him up — and then mess him up. A simple but potent mix of vodka, espresso and coffee liqueur, it became a hit in Europe and the U.S., enjoying peak popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Local Spins
At Chattanooga’s Home Bar, co-bar manager and cocktail director Keegan Moncelli says coffee cocktails are more than a trend — they’re an experience.
“Our expression of the month tends to be a pretty heavy hitter every time, just because we change it monthly and people get excited to see what’s next,” Moncelli says. “Behind that, it’s about a tie between the Health Espresso Martini and the Nitro Espresso Martini.”
Home also embraces the Italian tradition: Each espresso martini is garnished with three coffee beans, symbolizing health, wealth and happiness. That inspired an entire lineup of coffee cocktails, each with its own signature taste:
- Health Espresso Martini: Vanilla vodka, espresso, simple syrup, half-and-half. Smooth and creamy, with a subtle vanilla sweetness that balances the bold espresso kick.
- Nitro Espresso Martini: Vodka, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Sleepyhead cold brew. Silky and rich, with a velvety cold-brew texture that delivers a gentle, coffee punch.
- Wealth Martini: Pistachio-infused tequila, pistachio syrup, Oreo cream, espresso. Nutty and decadent, with a creamy, dessert-like finish.
- Happiness Martini: Jameson Cold Brew, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, half-and-half, espresso. A warming, slightly sweet concoction that melts across the palate with every sip.
Photo by Katie Wester, Home Bar & Restaurant photographer / Two espresso martinis at Home Bar & Restaurant
The Culinary Approach
Balancing coffee with spirits is more art than science, according to Moncelli.
“It depends on the ingredient, but balance is key. You want to avoid unnecessary sweetness and instead, find something that might imply acidity without necessarily providing it,” he explains. “Take pumpkin, for example. People immediately think of pumpkin spice, but that’s not always the case. Things people perceive as sweet aren’t inherently sweet.”
Seasonal twists are part of the fun. Home is bringing back a pumpkin spice espresso martini and a fluffy spiced apple cocktail this fall. In November, a chai latte espresso martini will hit the menu, catering to cooler-weather cravings.
Beyond the Martini
Espresso martinis are just the start. Cold brew is showing up in Negronis and old-fashioneds, Irish coffee is being reinvented with craft whiskeys and local beans and the Australian coffee liqueur Mr Black is fueling bartender creativity nationwide.
“American tastes naturally change with the seasons,” Moncelli says. “In summer, we lean into passion fruit or banana flavors. By fall, people are around campfires, so we bring in peanut butter or apples. We just try to meet people where they are at that moment.”
Other Local Favorites Serving Espresso Martinis
While Home steals the spotlight with its full coffee-cocktail menu, Chattanooga’s cocktail scene has plenty of other bars putting their own spin on espresso martinis.
For example, The Rosecomb offers an espresso martini, sometimes swapping in cold brew for a smoother, slightly sweeter sip.
Unknown Caller features an Espresso Martini Tower, offering three different flavors: classic espresso martini, tiramisu and Carajillo (a Spanish/Latin American coffee cocktail). It’s a fun and shareable experience for those looking to try multiple variations.
Located atop The Edwin Hotel, Whiskey Thief offers a House Espresso Martini made with house vodka, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur, Goodman’s cold brew concentrate, demerara syrup and foam.
Wide Awake and Here to Stay
For all the nostalgia around its comeback, the espresso martini feels like more than a fad this time. Its versatility — classic, seasonal or cold-brew-based — keeps it fresh. And its cultural moment seems well-timed: We’re a society that loves coffee, craves cocktails and wants our drinks to look good on camera.
So whether you’re sipping one in a dimly lit speakeasy or scrolling through TikToks of foamy crema getting poured, there’s no denying it: Espresso martinis are fully awake again.
Find these drinks at homebarchatt.com, rosecombbar.com, unknowncallerbar.com and whiskeythiefchattanooga.com.