SINGAPORE – For pop culture lovers around the world, May 4th is synonymous with Star Wars (1977-2019).
“May the Fourth be with you” is a play on the famous phrase from space fantasy stories, “May the Force be with you.”
But for those familiar with cocktail history, May 4th has a different meaning. Because May 4th is the birthday of the late famous British bartender Dick Bradsell.
Bradsell, who died in 2016 at the age of 56, is credited with reviving London’s cocktail scene in the 1990s. But he had already made a name for himself in 1983, when he worked at his bar, The Pharmacy, where he created the legendary cocktail, the Espresso Martini.
This false story is told about a young model, perhaps British supermodel Kate Moss, or her compatriot Naomi Campbell. He asked for “something that would wake me up and confuse me.”
In response, Bradsell mixed freshly brewed espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur to create a drink they named Vodka Espresso.
The name eventually evolved to “espresso martini,” a nod to the V-shaped stemware in which the cocktail was often served.
Whatever the name, the espresso martini has earned its place in the classic cocktail canon. It is currently among the top 10 best-selling cocktails in the United States, according to market research firm CGA, powered by NielsenIQ.
At the very least, an espresso martini is the closest thing to a dessert cocktail in many bars, which is probably why it’s at the top of my list of favorite drinks.
In fact, a well-crafted espresso martini has a lot in common with one of my pleasures: chocolate. High-quality chocolate is rich and dark in color. Equal parts sweet, bitter, and strong. An espresso martini should also tick all these notes.
Many of Singapore’s top bars continue to feature the espresso martini on their core cocktail menus, even as seasonal drinks come and go. Atlas at Parkview Square is my spot of choice for an espresso martini ($26++), but Jigger & Pony at Amara Hotel comes a close second ($28++).
