We asked our social media community where to find the best espresso martini in Raleigh, and the locals came through. If you’re craving an aromatic espresso martini, we went out taste testing our way around the city to see if the recommendations were worth the hype.
We were looking for an espresso martini that had a rich and robust coffee flavor, had the perfect froth to coffee ratio, had a smooth taste and not too alcoholic in flavor or vodka-rich, and had a velvety texture. We also share more of our classifications at the end of this guide.
If that sounds divine to you, then the following bars have espresso martinis to match!
Coquette Brasserie
Ok, we’ve barely scratched the surface when tasting espresso martinis around Raleigh and Wake County, but we can’t stop thinking about our overall favorite: the French inspired one from Coquette Brasserie in North Hills. It was deliciously creamy with a nice hit of coffee.
You’ll be happy to know this espresso martini has real espresso in it, along with vodka, Frangelico, Kahlua, and Baileys. The creaminess of the Baileys paired with the coffee flavors was an invitation to heaven.
I was never a major huge fan of an espresso martini until I had one at Raleigh’s favorite French restaurant, Coquette. It goes down perfectly with brunch. Tell the bartender that Caz & Craig sent you!
Willard Rooftop Bar
Enjoy some of the best rooftop views in Raleigh with an espresso martini made with Broken Shed vodka, grind Caribbean espresso liqueur, and espresso.
For a twist, try their Chai-tini. Made with vodka, chai tea, cinnamon, clove and domaine de canton.
These drinks will come at a heavy $16 price, but paired with the exquisite views, it’s worth it for a special occasion!
Brewery Bhavana
Brewery Bhavana is best known for its craft beers, books, and flowers – yes, it’s a book shop, Asian restaurant, florist, and bar all in one!
But it will soon be known for its Golden Espresso Martini made with vodka, espresso, corn milk, amaro averna, coffee and cocoa bitter. It has the perfect taste and texture.
All for the price of $15.
Bittersweet
We have enjoyed an espresso martini at Bittersweet before (pairing with a delicious pumpkin brule).
Theirs is simple with vodka and a freshly pulled shot of sweetened espresso.
You can also have one made with chai tea. They have a variety of other coffee cocktails as well, including our favorite, an Irish coffee.
The Standard Beer and Food
The Standard Beer and Food is another brewery in the heart of downtown that has a solid espresso martini – well, Frozen Vietnamese Coffee.
Yes, you read that right. If you’ve ever been to Vietnam and had a delightful Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk, you’ll know how divine and indulgent it is.
The Standard elevate this to new levels by making a frozen version, made with Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Condensed Milk and a simple espresso cold brew.
At $14 a glass, it’s the perfect summer time drink!
Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar
Mulino in downtown Raleigh has an extensive cocktail menu, and for espresso martini fans, the After Midnight espresso martini has been making waves in the City of Oaks.
It’s made with Titos vodka, espresso, tonka* and spiced Mexican liqueur.
For a martini that has a bit of a bite to it, this is a top choice. It costs $16 per glass.
The Capital Grille
The Capital Grille in North Hills is a local’s favorite places to drink in Raleigh.
Ask the bartender to serve you a Kona Espresso Martini, which is made with American Harvest Organic Vodka, Caffè Borghetti Espresso Liqueur, fresh espresso, and Kona dust.
That dust must be elevating the cocktail to a high $18 a glass, making it one of the most expensive on this list! However, Raleigh locals aren’t complaining.
Gussie’s
Gussie’s is one of the newer bars on the block, located at the Bend, (Morgan St in the Hillsborough St District), and has a casual yet cool vibe and well-priced cocktails.
We love the vibe here. It has cozy nooks and booths, making it an ideal date night spot.
They only have a handful of cocktails on the menu, but thankfully their classic espresso martini hits the spot.
Made with vodka, café liqueur, fresh espresso, vanilla, and the addition of rum, this cocktail has a smooth and velvety texture.
Graffiti, Cary
Over in Cary, Graffiti is the place to go to throw axes and enjoy an espresso martini.
At $11 a glass, the Nitro Espresso Martini is one of the cheapest cocktails on this list.
At this art bar in downtown Cary, the Nitro Espresso Martini is made with vodka, Tia Maria, and House-Made Vanilla Bean Cold Foam.
Sir Walter Coffee
Sir Walter Coffee in downtown Raleigh has great coffee by day, classy cocktails by night.
They have an entire menu dedicated to espresso martinis, and they are cheap too!
My choices would be Espresso Old Fashioned made with Cardinal Sin Espresso, Four Roses, Demerara Gum Syrup , and Orange Bitters or the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini made with Cardinal Sin Espresso, Tito’s Vodka, Mr. Black, Salted Caramel Drizzle and a pinch of salt and heavy cream.
Northside Bistro
Northside Bistro is bringing a classy downtown vibe to uptown with a $15 Northside’s Espresso Martini made with Espresso and Stoli Vanilla, chocolate liquor.
It’s also been garnished with candied lemon rinds and is paired with a special treat.
Glasshouse Kitchen
Glasshouse Kitchen over in the Research Triangle Park offers beautiful countryside views with a $14 espresso martini, made with vodka, Licor 43, Kahlua, coffee syrup, americano and aromatic bitters.
William & Company
William & Company on North Person St is a cozy neighborhood cocktail bar in Historic Oakwood famous for its well-crafted cocktails.
Ask what they can do with an espresso martini!
Cucciolo Raleigh
Cucciolo Terrazza in Raleigh is the place to go to enjoy simple and delicious Italian food with your espresso martini.
Death and Taxes
Three things in life are known, death, taxes, and the bar Death and Taxes has a great vibe!
Death and Taxes is a downtown Raleigh restaurant by Ashley Christensen is sure to please with their crafty cocktails that average $13.
No espresso martini on the menu, but I’m sure they create a fine one when you ask.
Clockwork
Clockwork in the Glenwood South District is a speakeasy in Raleigh that receives rave reviews for their crafty cocktails, with thumbs up for the Espresso Martini.
Neat & Sweet
Neat & Sweet in Apex is a dessert and cocktail bar with more affordable cocktail prices.
The Nes Espresso Martini received a thumbs up from our community. It’s made with vanilla vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, Demerara, coffee and cocoa bitters and chocolate.
It costs $15 a glass.
Lugano’s Ristorante
Lugano’s Ristorante in Cary received a shout out for their Espresso Martini made with oat milk.
The Waiting Room
The Waiting Room in Durham’s American Tobacco Campus is an independent pub in a Victorian-era style.
Its take on the espresso martini is called Wake Up Holland and is Orange Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, espresso and Handmade Baileys whip. It sounds delicious, but it will cost you $16!
Press Coffee and Crepes
Press has delicious crepes, but you should also try its espresso martinis! It has a classic espresso martini made with Tito’s vodka, espresso, Tia Maria coffee liqueur, oat milk and demerara syrup for $13.
If you want to push the boat out and go for something a bit more unique, the Carajillo is also said to be good. It has Licor 73, espresso and demerara syrup, and also costs $13.
We are frequent visitors to their new 400 Hillsborough St soon and are in love with their coffee and breakfast.
What makes a great espresso martini?
An Espresso Martini is a cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa), espresso coffee, and simple sugar syrup. It’s typically served in a martini glass and garnished with coffee beans.
A good espresso martini should follow suit of its origins.
The Espresso Martini is believed to have been created in the late 1980s in England, by London bartender Dick Bradsell. According to popular legend, a beautiful model asked Bradsell for a cocktail that would “wake her up and then f*** her up.”
Bradsell responded by combining vodka, coffee liqueur, freshly brewed espresso, and a touch of sugar to create what is now known as the Espresso Martini.
A great espresso martini should be dominant in coffee flavor over alcohol, so you don’t notice the strength of the alcohol content – that means go easy on these cocktails!
It should be made with a rich freshly brewed coffee, so that it balances out the coffee liqueur, because these tend to be quite sweet. It should also be topped with a creamy and velvety top, not foamy like a cappacino, but smooth in texture.
The whole drink needs to taste smooth and evenly balance out the caffeine and alcohol content, so that it has a smooth, rich flavor profile.
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Did you try an espresso martini from one of these bars in Raleigh? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.
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