Espresso Martini

By Christine Johnson

Waking up this morning ushered in the feeling of Fall in the air. The cool breeze off the ocean, the slight change of color in the trees, and that wonderful need for a blanket at night. This is my favorite time of year because it’s the beginning of the holidays. Ghosts and goblins bring turkey and cranberry. Santa delivers presents on his sleigh and before we know it, we are opening champagne toasting the new year.

Did everyone get the warm fuzzies from that paragraph? The only thing I honestly meant was Fall air and the great food at Thanksgiving! Don’t get me wrong, I am thankful to be able to spend time in Coronado during the holidays. Living in such a beautiful place, has your family come here instead of you traveling (BONUS). And the sights and sounds of the island truly do create a loving family atmosphere.

Can you feel the negativity coming? This is the time of year when I start to feel the stress of the forthcoming holidays. When the Halloween candy is sitting next to the cranberry sauce on store shelves. Then wait about two weeks and the cranberry sauce will be sitting on top of the Christmas wrapping paper! There should be a law where all these holidays can’t be shoved in our faces together. I need a moment in between to enjoy my adorable trick-or-treaters before I start basting my turkey. I can already feel the pressure of looking at my collection of Christmas decorations and wondering if I have enough. I have been informed the last two years by my daughter that our house at Christmas looks like something out of a sad movie. Isn’t hanging a few red and green lights and placing a wreath on the front door enough? Won’t one pumpkin at the door suffice? I truly do love the holidays. It’s the stress of getting it all done, out the door, to the table, all with joy and glee that causes the panic. There must be something I can do to put the calm back in the holiday season.

For you, our loyal readers, I have the perfect answer. It comes in the form of a drink that I have been enjoying for years. This cocktail has taken on popularity recently, but it is not a new magical potion. In fact, it has been around since the 1980s. I find it to be the perfect drink after a filling meal. It has an ingredient that supplies a little energy, along with those that bring a calming effect to our holiday pressures. Welcome to those who have not yet enjoyed the ESPRESSO MARTINI. This wonderful mixer can sneak up on you so enjoy one at a time and always responsibly. Bad Moms Christmas or Dad’s accident with the turkey fryer is not a good look for anyone.

Ingredients

(2) ounces vodka

(1) ounce espresso*

½ ounce coffee liqueur**

Ice

*If you have an espresso maker, use one shot and chill just enough to take the heat off. If you do not have an espresso maker, you can use cold brew concentrate as a substitute.

**The coffee liqueur preferred is Kahlua. If you like your drink creamier, substitute Baileys instead.

Mixology

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Strain liquid into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with three coffee beans. This represents health, wealth and happiness.