Espresso Martini with Homemade Coffee Liquor #CocktailDay

Welcome to Cocktail Day, a multi-blogger event co-hosted by Kim of Cravings of a Lunatic, Liz of That Skinny Chick Can Bake, and Donna of Cookistry. We are raising our glasses to toast you all with some unique and delicious cocktails and mocktails in anticipation of the Big Game and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to bookmark or pin these creative beverages for your next gathering. We hope you enjoy this marvelous event and the incredible giveaways from our generous sponsors. Cheers!

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How do you like your martini??  Shaken?  Stirred?  Traditional with gin or perhaps vodka and possibly flavored?  In a proper martini glass or a simple tumbler??

Apparently the perfect martini is somewhat elusive and best served with quality ingredients in a delicate martini glass.  It's been said that a proper martini is made with gin and one part vermouth, then strained into a chilled stemmed martini glass - anything else must have an adjective to describe the martini, such as a Vodka Martini, etc.

As for me, I'd just like to like any martini.  Having grown up on James Bond movies, I most certainly would order my martini shaken and not stirred, and as James prefers the Vodka Martini, I would want the same.

Hence, some 20 years ago that's exactly what I ordered, and heavens that is one strong drink - especially for this lightweight!  Tasted to me only of alcohol, and I didn't find a single thing pleasing about the experience with the exception of the shaker and the glass.

To this day, I'm not really fond of martinis, but because I love that sexy glass so much, I keep trying.  And today I have a martini I've enjoyed, though I'm not sure it would classify as a proper martini, as it's made with homemade coffee liquor, espresso and vodka.

Following a recipe I found online, the finished product was the most pleasing martini I've enjoyed, but for myself I'd take away some of the sweetness, allowing more of the pure espresso flavors to shine through.  Coffee Liquor is, for the most part, fairly sweet.  Hence, creating this cocktail allows you to follow your sweet tooth, or lack there of by mixing around the ingredients until you find your perfect version.

But before we reach for the shaker, take a peek at this fabulous giveaway in honor of #CocktailDay!

Our sponsors for Cocktail Day are Molecule-R, Page St. Publishing, Race Point Publishing, Fair Winds Press, Microplane, and Not So Simple Syrup. Molecule-R can be found on facebook, and YouTube. 

Molecular gastronomy can be defined as the fusion of food science and culinary arts. Molecular gastronomy by Molecule-R is a cookbook with stunning recipes explained and illustrated with the intelligence and aesthetic beauty that defines the MOLECULE-R brand.  Mojito R-Evolution teaches you how to deconstruct your mojito into floating mint caviar and spectacular foams or encapsulate your favorite cocktail into a sphere that will explode in your mouth.  Margarita R-Evolution teaches you how to create a margarita slush topped with a fresh lemon mousse, add a splash of colour by creating blue azure suspended pearls or encapsulate your margarita into an edible cocktail! Cosmo R-Evolution teaches you how to add a molecular twist to your traditional cosmo sure to awe your guests.  Serve a cosmopolitan bubble on a spoon that will pop in your mouth, top off your cocktail with a light fluffy cranberry foam or suspend citrus caviar in your drink.

Microplane can be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Microplane is a division of family-owned Grace Manufacturing Inc., a long-standing company specializing in the crafting of precision thin metal parts for home and industrial use.  The versatile Ultimate Citrus Tool features Microplane’s surgical grade stainless steel Fine blade. In addition, the Ultimate Citrus Tool features two decorative garnishing blades in a large (.300-inch diameter) and small (.180-inch diameter) size. The blades are made in the USA and are dishwasher safe. Microplane’s sleekly designed and multi-functional Bartender’s Garnishing Tool easily opens bottles, effortlessly zests oranges, lemons, limes, and other types of citrus fruits, and is dishwasher safe.

Not So Simple Syrup can be found on Facebook, and Twitter. Not So Simple Syrup is a a small, local maker of simple syrups. Heidi and Barbie's passion is to create all natural syrups that inspire and stimulate your pension for amazing mixed drinks as well as iced teas and non-alcoholic beverages too. They pride themselves on individual service. When you purchase a NSSS product, you can be sure that it received their personal stamp of approval. The Not So Simple Syrup Survival Gift Basket has two flavours of delicious all natural Not So Simple Syrup, a muddler for the perfect Mojito you might want to create, two glasses and a bar towel.

The list of prizes for Cocktail Day: 2 Individual Copies of Molecule Gastronomy by Molecule-R Cookbook 1 Set of Mojito R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Set of Margarita R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Set of Cosmo R-evolution (Molecular Mixology Kit) 1 Copy of The Architecture of the Cocktail sponsored by Race Point Publishing 1 Copy of Apothecary Cocktails sponsored by Fair Winds Press 1 Copy of The Best Craft Cocktails and Bartending with Flair sponsored by Page St. Publishing 1 Not So Simple Gift Basket 1 Microplane Bartender’s Garnishing Tool 1 Microplane Citrus Tool

***This giveaway is intended for each prize to have a separate winner! No person can win multiple prizes. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only . Winners will be chosen by random draw. The winners will be notified via e-mail, and have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen.***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Espresso Martini with Homemade Coffee Liquor

Coffee, Coffee Liquor and vodka... I'm loving this as an after dinner drink!  With the coffee liquor being a bit on the sweet side, adjust to your taste.

1 1/2 oz. coffee liquor (DIY - make your own)

1 oz. vodka

1 oz. freshly brewed espresso

Add all the ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously,  strain into a chilled Martini glass.  Cheers!

DIY Homemade Coffee Liquor 

***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by our sponsors, no bloggers have received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***

Other Fabulous Bloggers Mixing It Up with Us for Cocktail Day:

• Pomegranate Party Punch by Cravings of a Lunatic
• White Cosmopolitans by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Hot Buttered Chocolate Rum by Cookistry
• Bacon Jalapeno Bloody Mary by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
• Blood Orange Old Fashioned by Kelly Bakes
• Caipirinhas by Food Lust People Love
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Martini by Hungry Couple
• Chocolate Cupcake Cocktail by JavaCupcake
• Ciderhouse Whiskey by From the Bookshelf
• Citrus Cranberry Punch by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
• Coconut-Key Lime Pie Martini by Home Cooking Memories
• Egyptian Martini by Cooking In Stilettos
• Espresso Martini by Liv Life
• Frosty Lemon Drop Martini by The Hopeless Housewife
• Frozen Marshmallow Mudslide by 365 Days of Baking & More
• Ginger Raspberry Fizzy by Try Anything Once
• Iced Cake Martini by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
• Le Jardinier by Confessions of a Culinary Diva
• Mandarin Mulled Wine by Food Babbles
• Meyer Lemon Rosemary Gin Fizz by Crumb
• Muddled Rosemary and Pineapple Cocktail by My Catholic Kitchen
• Nutella Martini by The Pink Flour
• Peach Sparkler by Noshing With The Nolands
• Pineapple Margarita by Miss in the Kitchen
• Pomegranate Orange Spritzer by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
• Safe Sex on the Beach by Mom's Test Kitchen
• Side Car with Dried Cherries by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Winter Fruit White Wine Sangria by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
• Apple Pie Moonshine by Lola's Kitchen