The espresso martini trend has been going strong for a hot minute—with absolutely no signs of slowing. And we’re here for it. Now, Raleigh’s buzziest ’tinis are popping up on nearly every menu—serving perk with every pour and a pick-me-up in more ways than one. Here, some of our favorite espresso ’tinis around town that get the job done every time.
Bean into the espresso martini rage? Here are some local spots to grab a sip.
Ain’t no *beans* about it—espresso martinis are still riding high on the popularity train. Affectionately dubbed “the adult vodka Red Bull,” the cult-favorite nostalgic bev is one of the top-selling cocktails in the country.
With the power to wake you up and mess you up at the same time, it’s the perf pick-me-up for a night on the town. Here, a few of our fave intoxicating and delish iterations at local bars and restos to enjoy for National Espresso Day Nov. 23—and beyond. Cheers!
Sir Walter Coffee Leave it to Sir Walter to mix up a beautiful blend of vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, housemade vanilla syrup, heavy cream and Remedy Mexican chocolate bitters for its original espresso tini. Not to mention its other riffs featuring Fireball, Jameson and Four Roses, respectively.
Killjoy Up and at ’em! Killjoy’s take on the buzzy cocktail—appropriately dubbed Good Morning—features vodka, brown sugar-coffee vermouth and cocoa bitters, making for a sweet and caffeinated bev that’ll surely keep you wired and satisfied.
Brewery Bhavana Bhavana’s ’tini is oh-so-golden indeed, what with vodka, espresso, corn milk, amaro averna, coffee and cocoa bitters providing a unique balance of sweet and savory. Harry Styles would approve.
Bittersweet Both slightly bitter and sweet, the cocktail and dessert lounge’s OG espresso martini stars vodka and a freshly pulled shot of sweetened espresso. And if you’re looking to switch things up, the chai espresso martini is also a hit.
Mulino No matter what time of day it is, Mulino’s After Midnight spin—made with Tito’s vodka, espresso, Tonka and spiced Mexican liqueur—is always a good idea. Even better if you pair it with dessert!
Watts & Ward The best way to sip pretty within Watts’ moody digs is with its coffee-forward bev in hand, a mixture of New Amsterdam vodka, Illy cold brew, Kamora coffee liqueur and orgeat.
Hummingbird A little birdie told us this Dock 1053 resto’s Talking Bird cocktail—a unique blend of cold brew, Cruzan blackstrap, Campari, coconut cream, chai and Angostura bitters—is a sleeper, er caffeinated, hit.
Corpse Reviver An espresso ’tini made with Durham Distillery gin? Say less. Also don’t sleep on the s’more martini feat. coffee, chocolate & mocha Damn Fine Liqueur, vodka, bruleed marshmallow and graham cracker. It’s, well, damn fine indeed.
Exclusive details on Sir Walter Coffee’s new Fayetteville Street location
Sir Walter Coffee is brewing up buzz Downtown—literally. The fan-fave DTR cafe is slated to open its previously announced second sip spot in the former B.GOOD space at Highwoods Properties’ Charter Square on Fayetteville Street this summer. … But this ain’t just a carbon copy of your East Davie Street cozy-casual coffeehouse.
“We want to make sure to create a new Sir Walter that mirrors the reason Highwoods engaged with us for this partnership: a fast, fresh, all-day cafe with a bar element that will serve as an amenity to the tenants of Charter Square and the public,” says owner Kevin Frazier. “We are excited to be part of the goal of making Fayetteville Street the Main Street for North Carolina… and can’t wait to bring the project to life.”
Boasting both the beloved OG drinks (hey, popular seasonal lattes, espresso martinis, coffee cocktails and nitro cold brew on tap!) and expanded kitchen offerings, SWC will satisfy cravings—from breakfast sandos, seasonal toasts, yogurt bowls and pastries to salads, soups, sandwiches and more. And on Saturday and Sunday mornings, don’t sleep on the famous mouthwatering Dough Babies, aka housemade apple-filled pastries drenched in icing (drooling yet?).
Segueing from day to night, SWC 2.0 will also spotlight Sir Walter Cocktail, a full bar (open seven days a week!) feat. an array of traditional and draft cocktails, wine, local beer and prosecco on tap, and mimosa flights. NTM a nod to namesake British explorer Sir Walter Raleigh via a creative rum cocktail menu showcasing eight exclusive rum-based drinks starring Kill Devil Rum from Outer Banks Distilling and other hard-to-find rums.
“This bar will be the spot to grab a drink after a day’s work Downtown, and will be a great place for networking with other DTR workforce,” maintains Frazier. “We are installing an entrance from the Charter Square lobby for easy access for office employees to come grab coffee, have breakfast or lunch, have meetings, and enjoy happy hour cocktails with a creative bar snacks menu.”
Further enticing patrons to sit and stay awhile (like, until midnight on weekends) with your bev(s) of choice will be an activated patio and large glass windows offering a picturesque view of Fayetteville Street and City Plaza—aka ideal for people watching. Sounds like a day-to-night dream, no? Consider us pumped. sirwaltercoffee.com
Move over (vodka) espresso martini, a host of hooch ops are comin’ in hot this year.
Hugo Boss The bittersweet bubbly Aperol Spritz ran so Hugo Spritz could fly—and give you wings. Swapping the pungent orangey Aperol for fresh floral elderflower liqueur (think St-Germain), then combined with the usual prosecco and club soda and garnished with a wedge of your lemon/lime choosing + mint sprig, it promises to make ’24 floral and effervescent.
Espresso Yourself The craze continues. We see the de rigueur vodka-coffee combo and raise you tequila—think Best Bartender nom Will Bryant’s visionary version with Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila at Parlor at Heights House. Better still, a trending baker’s dozen of flavor profiles. Cookie butter? Filthy chai? Olive oil? Peppermint mocha? Don’t knock it till you try it.
All About the Buzz Hot take: Coffee makes you smarter. So girl math—and boy math—adds up for this caffeinated trend, from cold brew Negronis to White Russians and beyond. We see you, Watts & Ward’s Basic Bitch (Bacardi spiced rum, Caffe Lolita, syrup, coffee & cocoa bitters, whole egg). Hey, basic never meant boring. Pref spiked tea? Probs your cue to literally “Give It a Chai” at Highgarden.
BEC-lieve It If Wonka got drunk and dug sandwiches, well the liquified bodega BEC sandwich would taste like a BEC sandwich. That very real bacon-washed whiskey, egg white and everything-bagel seasoning-topped ’tail (dubbed the NY Bodega Sour and already on the menu of a Manhattan lounge) is just one pioneer of the new class of sandwich cocktails coming. Double down and pair it with a side of Doritos liquor—yes, really.
Also Keeping Spirits High So fetch? Throwback ’tinis (we see you apple) thrive while spicy spirits continue to bring the heat. Experiential cocktails light up our feeds to electrify the doom-scroll doldrums, and Korean vodka Soju keeps spirits high as it takes reign as the world’s most popular—alongside everything Asian. So, “smooth like butter,” indeed.
