Espresso Martini Cocktail

Esplanda's Espresso Martini Cocktail comes as a canned, ready-to-drink version of the coffee-and-spirit classic. The idea is that you get the bittersweet, roasted-coffee character of an espresso martini without a shaker, a coffee machine or a bottle of coffee liqueur. Details such as ABV, the base spirit and the exact coffee profile aren't given here, so check the can for those. Drinks in this style usually pair a vodka-type base with coffee and a measure of sweetness, and they aim for a dark, roasty nose with a rounded, lightly sweet finish. Expect a drink that leads with coffee rather than sugar. Canned espresso martinis typically taste of dark roast, cocoa and a hint of caramel, with enough sweetness to soften the bitterness. A fine foam often forms when the can is poured, because the drink is carbonated lightly if at all and is meant to mimic the crema-topped texture of the bar version. Pouring it into a glass and not drinking from the can gives you that aroma and the pale tan head. It is fully mixed, so nothing needs to be added. Chill it thoroughly first, ideally for several hours in the fridge or for a good while in the freezer's door, since it's served cold and a warm can will taste flatter and sweeter. Pour it over a few large ice cubes in a rocks glass, or into a chilled coupe or martini glass without ice, if you want the classic presentation. Pouring straight from the can also works for a quick drink on the go. If you pour it over ice, keep the cubes large so they melt slowly and don't thin out the coffee flavor. As a food match, it works best at the sweeter end of the table. Think tiramisu, chocolate brownies, biscotti, salted caramel desserts or a plate of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. It also suits the end of a dinner, when you'd otherwise reach for coffee and a digestif together. As a grab-and-go option, it fits a after-dinner gathering, a late brunch, or a cooler bag for a picnic or a dinner at a friend's house, where a canned cocktail avoids bringing a full bar.