Do I have any Espresso Martini fans out there? If you’re anything like me, you love a good mocha: it’s truly the perfect pick me up! And the last time I ordered the classic combo of coffee and chocolate it got me to thinking, why not add a little vodka?⁠ I mean think about it! How could you go wrong with coffee, chocolate, and alcohol?

Sounds like the perfect mix to me! So, while the Espresso Martini is, of course, a long-standing classic, I’ve whipped up a Queen Bee version of this caffeinated cocktail that won’t disappoint. So go ahead, grab your cocktail shaker because today, we’re turning a coffee shop favorite into a happy hour treat.

The original espresso martini was first created in the 80’s by a bartender named Dick Bradsel. The story tells of a busy and beautiful model who walked into his bar looking for a cocktail but was admittedly exhausted and in need of a little mid-evening caffeine. And voila! The espresso martini was born.

Since that day, this classic has been helping party-goers stay awake and on their toes for a great night out. But, just like any great outfit, the Espresso Martini can be a great libation for day or night. With its strong and delicious coffee flavor, what’s stopping you from shaking one up at brunch? My guess is that, if you do, you’ll be reaching for a second round before you can say “Move over mimosa!”

Those of you who have already enjoyed this classic cocktail recipe a time or two know that the original version calls for coffee liqueur. And while this is certainly a tasty way to make the drink, I have made one slight variation. I mean, would it be a Queen Bee recipe if I didn’t throw in a little twist? Here, I’ve swapped out the drink’s classic coffee liqueur in favor of Bouvery CV’s remarkable chocolate liqueur. This small switch makes for a perfectly sweet, rich, and smooth mix of flavors. It truly is a coffee and chocolate lover’s dream!