How to make the famous Parmesan Espresso Martini and Where It Came From
Learn below how to make the famous Parmesan Espresso Martini cocktail that went viral on Instagram and TikTok and how it all started.
Parmesan Espresso Martini - image source Pinterest
Every year I write an article predicting what the year ahead trends might be in the drinks industry. This was 2023 trend predictions.
A trend that I didn’t see coming, a trend that I don’t think ANYONE seen coming, was an Espresso Martini topped with cheese. Shame on all of us for not predicting that one.
But alas, as weird as that sounds, that’s exactly what happened. Earlier this year Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube was overrun by Parmesan topped Espresso Martini’s. You couldn’t escape it!
You can’t blame people though, they were just being creative, they were just trying to express themselves. Sorry for cheesy pun.
Why would anyone do that?
Most people whether they be veteran bartenders who’ve seen it all, or everyday folk who occasionally enjoy a mixed tipple or 2 had the same reaction - Parmesan? As in the cheese? on a coffee cocktail? why would anyone do that!
That’s what I thought when I first seen it anyway. In-fact, when I first heard about this I thought “Great, another person mixing a horrible drink for internet clout. How original”.
But here’s the thing, as it turns out, the Parmesan Espresso Martini is not the result of making something shocking just for the heck of it. It actually has a history and even more important, it works!
Why did the Parmesan Espresso Martini go viral?
The reason this odd combination of cheese and cocktails went viral is exactly because of what I mentioned above. It works.
Every video you see of someone making one of these goes the same way;
this will be disgusting
why would anyone do this
oh, actually, it’s not that bad, this kinda works
Which is great for virality because you just HAVE to try it yourself, to see if it does work well and when it does, you have to talk about it!
The Parmesan Martini Recipe Video
Now of course I had to try this out myself, to really see what its like, so here’s my version of the Parmesan Espresso Martini and do note, that I do indeed follow the exact same structure mentioned above.
You can also watch it on YouTube if Instagram is playing silly buggers.
Who started the Parmesan Espresso Martini trend
Highproofpreacher Parmesan Espresso Martini - Image source highproofpreacher.com
The number one suspect on who started this Parmesan Martini trend is this man above. Jordan Hughes, self proclaimed cocktail maker and visual storyteller, yet missing from that is cheese aficionado. You can check out his website here, but it’s social media where you probably know him from, under the name High Proof Preacher.
Although Jordan seemingly started this trend, he didn’t invent it. The cocktail itself actually has quite the rooted history. The best way to think about this is that the Parmesan Espresso Martini was spoke about in secret, behind closed doors, it was all hush hush. Then Jordan Hughes comes along and busts open those doors with a song and dance telling the world about cheesy cocktails! I guess he really is a preacher.
Here is the video that started it all…
The Journey of the Parmesan Espresso Martini
Starting from highproofpreacher, we can work our way back to find who the first person was to add Parmesan to an Espresso Martini and really get to the roots of this cocktail. One good thing about these bartenders is that they’re honest, so where credit is due, the give it.
So, from highproofpreacher, he mentions he heard the idea from a cocktail creator named Jonathan who goes by thebittergringo on Instagram. However, Jonathans was slightly different. Jonathan’s recipe is for his Espresso Truffletini.
That recipes combines black truffle cognac and vanilla-lacto syrup. A delicious sounding cocktail but due to the fact it’s more advanced and people can’t make it one a whim, lacks the potential to really go viral. Here’s Jonathans video…
A lesson in creating a modern classic
I’m not saying the Parmesan Espresso Martini is a modern classic, but now is a great time to mention what it takes to create a viral recipe or modern classic using the above stories as an example.
For something to really take of, it has to be easily recreated. There are fantastic cocktails out in the world with all manner of interesting and homemade ingredients but they never quite reach ‘modern classic’ territory because if people can’t try something easy, they’re less likely to do it.
Think about all the cocktails that you’d consider modern classics. One of the most recent cocktails to earn this title was the pornstar martini. What Douglas did was create something out of ingredients that pretty much every bar has. Whether you love the pornstar martini or not, it’s quite the story and if you’re interest in cocktails, you should really give it a read.
In the case of the Parmesan Espresso martini, and simply put; you can walk into any bar and ask for an Espresso Martini with Parmesan cheese on top. As long as they have a kitchen, they’d likely be able to do that. Whereas what bar has truffle cognac and vanilla-lacto syrup?
Back to the story
Anyway, modern classic and viral potential tangent aside, let’s get back to the story.
So highproofpreacher got the idea from thebittergringo, who notes getting the idea from a cocktail creator called Carlos Ruiz who goes by cocktailsbyc on Instagram.
His version of the drink includes apples and Licor 43, so now we’re starting to really drift from the cocktail we know and love. But still, he uses vodka and espresso and tops the finished cocktail with Parmesan cheese. So we’re getting somewhere.
Carlos states that he invented the drink in June 2022 and that’s where the trail goes dry.
The cocktail created by Carlos was for a Licor 43 competition where he placed third with his parmesan espresso martini riff he calls ‘Cafe Con Queso’
So if you were to ask me who invented the Parmesan Espresso Martini, I’d have to say Carlos Ruiz in 2022.
But let’s not forget that the parmesan is basically an accessory here. When I say parmesan espresso martini you don’t think about truffle cognac, apples, licor 43 or vanilla-lacto. You think about the classic espresso martini, with some parmesan on top.
So for that, I’d equally say the cocktail was invented by the High Proof Preacher, as that was the evolution of the cocktail we know best. I mean, when you think about the Negroni, you don’t credit the invention to the person who invented the Americano. Even though that’s where it came from, right? does that make sense?.
And cocktail evolution is something that all cocktails go through. Technically speaking, you can say Dick Bradsell invented the drink as he did invent the Espresso Martini.
So you see, cocktail claims of inventions are hard to track even when they’re not.
Cheese in cocktails
Just to make it that much more complicated when it comes to tracking down the originator, we have to look into cheese in cocktails in general. Because Carlos was by no means the first person to put cheese in a cocktail.
People have been topping Bloody Mary’s with cheese since as long as I can remember.
I also vividly remember a time when people were infusing cheese in pre-batched old fashioneds. Heck, about 5 years ago I thought I was onto something when I created a nacho margarita with cheese sauce. So did I invent cheese cocktails?
No, no I did not, but you see how things get complicated.
As a side note, maybe now people are more comfortable with cheesy cocktails, I’ll bring back the nacho margarita? I really did feel like I was on to something. Watch this space, I’ll work on that next week.
How to make the perfect Espresso Martini
Let’s talk about how to actually make the Parmesan Espresso Martini. Remembering, that the main thing here, it to make a really good espresso martini.
If you already have a recipe you love, go for it. If you want my recipe, well just check it out here. I also talk more about the industry legend Dick Bradsell and the invention of the Espresso Martini throughout that post.
How to get a fluffy foam on your Espresso Martini
One thing that people ask me the most when it comes to espresso martinis, is how to get the perfect foam. That light, airy, fluffy, masterpiece of a pillow that sits on top.
Honestly, I used to run in person cocktail masterclasses some years back and there was never an event where someone didn’t ask me about this.
Lucky for you I’ve shared all my insights on the matter in this article here. Or, you can check out the video below.
Espresso Martini Twists
The science of this pairing really comes down to the Parmesan and Coffee (way to state the obvious I know).
What that means is you’re not shackled to having to make a classic Espresso Martini, so feel free to riff on the classic and make whatever Espresso Martini you want.
Personally, I’ve shared quite a few recipes myself on this website, so here are a few of my own riffs you can try out.
Rum and Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Carmel and Hazelnut Espresso Martini
Cereal Milk Espresso Martini
Pumpkin Spiced Espresso Martini
Dalgona Squid Game Espresso Martini
Coffee, coffee, coffee
One final note. Coffee. You CAN use instant coffee and still make a good foamy Espresso Marini. But I’d always recommend using an actual coffee machine.
A good bean to cup home coffee machine won’t just be used for your Espresso Martinis. If you like Espresso Martinis, chances are you like coffee. So do yourself a favour if you haven’t already and pick yourself up a good bean to cup coffee machine. You’ll get your use out of it and it’ll pretty much pay itself of in a few months depending on how much coffee you drink.
All my recommendations can be found here. But if you just want one recommendation. This is my favourite…
De’Longhi
This bean to cup coffee machine is in my opinion, one of the best, if not THE best, on the market. Especially when you consider value for money.
Parmesan Espresso Martini Recipe
Parmesan Espresso Martini
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients other than the cheese to a shaker, shake well with ice.
- Fine strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with a grating of parmesan cheese until the top is covered.
Notes
There's no rules when it comes to how much parmesan to add. Go as crazy as you like.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
337.87Fat
7.84 gSat. Fat
4.96 gCarbs
18.44 gFiber
0 gNet carbs
18.44 gSugar
17.25 gProtein
10.77 gSodium
494.49 mgCholesterol
20.4 mgThe nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend. If you liked this then you’re in luck, I have a bunch more recipes like it. I share only vegetarian and pescatarian food recipes, cocktails, and drink guides with a sprinkling of wellness and mindful drinking. If that sounds like you, then stick around!
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