Ketel One Espresso Martini

Ketel One's Espresso Martini comes ready to pour, a canned version of the coffee-and-vodka cocktail made in Schiedam, the Dutch town where the brand is based. It is bottled at 12% ABV, so it is noticeably lighter than a cocktail built straight from a spirit, though still a proper drink and not a soft-drink-strength mixer. Everything is already combined in the can: vodka, coffee flavor and sweetness. There is nothing to shake, strain or garnish. Drinks in this style usually lead with roasted coffee and a bittersweet, almost cocoa-like depth. A touch of sweetness rounds the edges, and the vodka stays in the background to keep the finish clean. Expect a texture that is smooth and fairly full for a canned drink. The brief's reference copy points to a balance between bitterness and sweetness, and that is the quality to look for when you open one. Cold temperature is what holds that balance together, because as a drink like this warms, the sweetness tends to come forward and the coffee bite fades. Chill the can thoroughly before opening, ideally for a few hours in the refrigerator or in an ice bath for about twenty minutes. Pouring over ice into a rocks glass slows dilution and shows off the color, and a chilled coupe works well if you prefer it served without ice. A hard shake of the can before opening is a common move with canned espresso martinis, since it can bring up a little foam, though the drink is just as good poured gently. Drinking straight from the can suits picnics, patios and travel where glassware isn't practical. At the table, this fits best at the end of a meal. Think tiramisu, dark chocolate, vanilla ice cream, biscotti or a plain almond cake. It also works as an after-dinner alternative to coffee and dessert when you want one drink instead of two. Because the can is a single serve with no prep, it is easy to bring to a dinner party, tuck into a cooler, or keep cold for the end of a long evening.