Espresso Martini Showdown 

Sometimes you need to shake things up. It might be something simple like getting a different flavor in your coffee or as drastic as rearranging your house. In our case this week, we challenged two bartenders at B Street to go off-menu and shake up their own versions of an Espresso Martini.

Meet bartenders Lauren (also bar manager) and Joe.  Both claim to mix up the best espresso martini.  What better way to settle the debate than to have BeantownEats judge for ourselves!

A: Joe

• 1 1/2 oz Stoli Vanil
• 1/2 oz Kahlua
• 1/2 oz Bailey’s
• 3/4 oz White Creme de Cacao
• 1 oz espresso

Shake vigorously, garnish with three espresso beans.

B: Lauren

• Stoli Vanil
• Bailey’s
• Kahlua
• Frangelico
• Espresso
• Whipped cream

Lauren was gracious enough to give us the ingredients, but you’ll have to do some experimenting, or better yet, stop in to B Street to try this one for yourself.

Judges:

1. Yours truly
2. Jon
3. B Street Proprietor Ellie Kaplansky
4. Executive Chef Scott Keith

Yes, we were in need of a fifth person in the case if a tie…

However, it became a moot point when Joe’s martini won by a vote of 3-1. Congrats Joe!!

Jon and I discussed the martinis at length after the tasting and voting. In my humble opinion, Joe’s drink is a little on the lighter side, with a strong espresso presence that drinks like a martini.  Lauren’s rendition is a true dessert martini; the whipped cream allows the drink to keep its shape and thickness even after sitting on the bar while we all taste-tested.  Both excelled in flavor and differed mostly in consistency.  No matter what your personal taste, you can be sure to get an outstanding espresso martini at B Street.

For more on B Street, check out our previous posts…

B Street Restaurant: From Newton With Love

James Bond Bar in Newton

What would be your cocktail of choice for a “showdown”??

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