Celebrate National Espresso Martini Day with CT’s growing ready-to-drink cocktail offerings

March 15 is National Espresso Martini day, and the craze doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, at least in Connecticut. Though the caffeinated cocktail had a moment in the spotlight in 2021 as the New York Times wrote about its resurgence, the drink is still a popular staple on many state restaurant and bar menus. The classic recipe features espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur and a sweetener like simple syrup. But local bartenders have gotten creative, introducing different base spirits like dark rum or bourbon, frozen versions and even espresso martini flights, with miniature martinis in various flavors. And with COVID-19 related changes to state liquor laws, patrons can even take home to-go cocktails, like pre-mixed espresso martinis in plastic pouches. Connecticut-based beverage companies have also started producing ready-to-drink cocktails, including canned and bottled espresso martinis. Here's a sampling of what's on the local market. With prior reporting by Erik Ofgang for Connecticut Magazine Litchfield Distillery launched its line of small-batch bottled cocktails last year, which, unlike its lower-ABV canned cocktails, are full-cocktail strength ranging from 22.5 to 40 percent ABV. The distillery’s current lineup includes a Manhattan, old fashioned, cosmopolitan and espresso martini. “We believe this part of the RTD segment is ripe for growth as consumers desire high-quality cocktails at a higher proof, like they would expect at the bar,” says Tony Vengrove, the distillery’s head of marketing. Litchfield encourages customers to stir the cocktail with ice, or shake with ice in a cocktail shaker for a frothier drink. Dimitrios Zahariadis, aka “The Cocktail Chemist,” is an acclaimed Connecticut bartender who runs the beverage program at Viron Rondo Osteria in Cheshire. He also launched The Cocktail Chemist canned cocktails in 2020. Four varieties are currently offered — mojito, espresso martini, cranberry vodka soda, and Something Good, a floral vodka lemonade. Cocktail Chemist's espresso martini is made with American corn vodka, cold-brew espresso roast coffee, cane sugar, all-natural Madagascar vanilla bean and then nitro infused, Zahariadis told Connecticut Magazine in 2022. SoNo 1420's best-seller is its “ready-to-mix” espresso martini cocktail. This innovative product consists of a single package of separate 50-milliliter bottles with the distillery’s vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso. You remove all three bottle tops and pour into a cocktail shaker or over ice. “Because the ingredients are kept separate until just before drinking, the cocktail is as fresh as one you’d order from your favorite bartender,” Ted Dumbauld, founder of SoNo 1420, told Connecticut Magazine. Some Connecticut breweries are joining their distilling cousins and getting in on the RTD action. Two Roads Brewing Co. in Stratford launched its line of Daybreak Vodka cocktails last year. Flavors include lemonade and blood orange. As of March 2023, Two Roads has also introduced Nightshaker, a new canned espresso martini crafted with vodka and cold brew coffee. "While we’re beer people first and foremost, we never shy away from learning and trying our hand at something new,” said Two Roads founder Phil Markowski in a press release. “Espresso martinis are delicious to drink, but they’re a hassle to make…ask any bartender...so we wanted to give our fans a great-tasting and easier way to enjoy them. Our take on the espresso martini is 100% Two Roads, crafted with highest-quality ingredients, a bold yet balanced taste, and an invitation to try something unexpected from us.” August brought the launch of Moonlight Barista, a nitrogen-infused espresso martini that combines The CoreBev Group’s Cylinder Vodka with Rise Brewing Co.’s cold brew coffee. The new concoction responds to the growing popularity of canned cocktails during the past couple of years, with the two companies having lined up a number of retail and dining establishments in southwestern Connecticut to sell the drink. - With prior reporting by Paul Schott

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