Espresso martinis are having a moment. Well, maybe a generation. The buzzy (no pun intended) cocktails continue to dominate bar tabs in America, consistently ranking in the top five sellers across the country. I’m one of the elder millennials who simply can’t resist its creamy, caffeinated allure. I’m also one of the millions of Americans looking to curb my alcohol intake. Fortunately, weed espresso martinis have entered the chat.
RELATED: We taste-tested THC wine – one bottle blew everyone away
From ready-to-drink (RTD) canned THC mocktails to alcohol-free infused coffee “liqueur,” there are a number of ways to get your espresso martini fix sans booze. I tried a few options to see if I could get the real-deal bar experience without regret. Spoiler alert: Achievement unlocked.
How I Tested THC espresso martinis
For this article, I reviewed two distinct product types: THC coffee “liqueur” meant to be used in mocktail recipes and canned mocktails that can be enjoyed right away. It’s important to note: one key element of the espresso martini experience is the cocktail shaker. The bartender’s gyrations with your libation give it an exquisitely velvety mouthfeel that simply can’t be replicated.
RELATED: Famed ‘Herb Somm’ partners with dispensary on unique canna-cocktail kit
Obviously, using an infused spirit in a recipe meant to be shaken over ice, rather than sipping it from a can, will yield two very different drinks. I also believe that if a product is marketed as “ready to drink,” it should require no additional steps to be enjoyed thoroughly. That said, I did attempt to level the playing field in my taste tests by trying each beverage on its own and after a session in an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
Here are my honest thoughts.
Most Like the Real Deal: BLK MGK Espresso Hemp Spirit
For the espresso martini purist, look no further: BLK MGK has arrived. The “espresso hemp spirit” is meant to replace coffee liqueur, offering 5 mg of THC (along with 75 mg of caffeine) per serving as your intoxicant. The brand has a number of recipes on its website, and “The Elixir” could easily fool even the most refined espresso martini palate.
The concoction called for 1.5 ounces of BLK MGK, 1 ounce of espresso (I used the Altissio from Nespresso), and 0.5 ounces of vanilla syrup (I only had simple syrup on hand, which worked just fine). After a few solid shakes over ice, the result was a silky smooth and irresistibly creamy creation that rivaled some of the best espresso martinis I’ve ever had. Seriously—I was blown away.
RELATED: Michelin-star chef shares best weed strain for fine dining
On its own, the BLK MGK is a bit bitter, so don’t leave the syrup out of your recipe. Unless extra-strong black coffee is your vibe. I do believe the addition of the Nespresso also contributed heavily to the decadent mouthfeel. Having said all that, THC mixologists should ensure a bottle of BLK MGK is on the bar cart for when the espresso martini mood strikes. Your guests won’t believe it’s not booze.
The Next Best Thing: Spooky Canned Espresso Martini
After the success of the THC spirit, I was excited to try the canned mocktails. Again, it wasn’t an apples-to-apples comparison. With RTDs, you lose a bit in the overall experience, but you gain in convenience. Thankfully, the Spooky Espresso Martini achieves a pretty impressive balance between the two.
With hints of cocoa and vanilla darting in and out of the sweet coffee notes, the Spooky drink was robust in its overall flavor. It makes sense, given that the brand is best known for its award-winning line of cocktail mixers. Its 10 mg THC tonics were created in collaboration with hemp edibles brand Minneleaf. The partnership has produced one of the strongest contenders in the weed espresso martini race.
RELATED: Señorita weed margarita review: delicious and tequila-free
The drink was decent enough on its own, but after a spin in the cocktail mixer, it was chef’s kiss. Something about making it ice-cold seemed to really bring out the essence of an espresso martini. I highly recommend this one shaken, not stirred.
Runner-ups: Herb & Lou’s and Leafy
Rounding out my THC espresso martini taste test were two canned offerings, Herb & Lou’s and Leafy. Colorado-based Leafy manufactures both, but the formulations appeared to differ slightly.
The M Train Double Espresso Martini with 8 mg of THC was the least reminiscent of its inspiration, with almost no coffee flavor to speak of. In fact, I can’t quite describe what it tastes like. It was giving watered-down Yoo-Hoo soda, not the more luxurious after-dinner treat vibe I was after.
RELATED: Tha Doggfather of desserts: inside Snoop Dogg’s Treats to Eat
The Leafy variation with 10 mg of THC per can was a bit more true to form, although the flavor was less pronounced than the Spooky brand. You could definitely tell the drink used Colombian roast, with notes of caramel and fruit. The label said there was cocoa somewhere, but the chocolatey essence failed to come through.
Final sip
The espresso martini isn’t going anywhere, no matter how many bartenders may roll their eyes. Its crossover into the weed drink world was inevitable and, as it turns out, a godsend for those of us craving the same ritual and indulgence minus the booze or the regret.
