Double Black
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 13.9% ABV ∙
A modern coffee cocktail, the Double Black shakes cacao-and-coffee spiced rum with Crème de Café liqueur, fresh espresso, and chocolate bitters, served up.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Cacao & coffee spiced rum 40 mlCrème de Café liqueur 40 mlEspresso coffee 40 mlChocolate bitters 2 dashes
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Garnish with cacao powder
Tips
- Pull the espresso fresh and shake it right away with plenty of ice; coffee left to stand loses the aroma this drink depends on.
- A full 15 seconds of hard shaking gives the thick, cold foam you want on top of a coffee drink.
History
The Double Black is a variation on the Espresso Martini that replaces the vodka with a cacao-and-coffee-spiced rum and adds chocolate bitters, turning the classic into a chocolate-forward drink.
Most accounts credit the Espresso Martini to British bartender Dick Bradsell in 1980s London, commonly dated to around 1983 at the Soho Brasserie. The story goes that a model asked him for a drink that would wake her up and get her intoxicated at once, so he combined espresso with vodka and coffee liqueur.
FAQ
What is a Double Black?
A shaken coffee cocktail of about 14% ABV: a rum-based, chocolate-forward cousin of the Espresso Martini that swaps the vodka for a cacao-and-coffee spiced rum.
What is Double Black made of?
40 ml each of cacao-and-coffee spiced rum, Crème de Café liqueur and freshly brewed hot espresso, plus two dashes of chocolate bitters.
Is Double Black shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The hot espresso needs to be chilled and aerated quickly, and shaking also whips up the thick foam that sits on top of the drink; stirring would leave it flat and under-chilled.
What glass is Double Black served in?
A martini glass, served up with a dusting of cacao powder on top and no ice in the glass.
What's the best way to drink Double Black?
Drink it right after it's made, while the espresso foam still sits on top and the drink is properly cold. It works best as an after-dinner sipper rather than a session cocktail, since the coffee and cacao lean toward dessert rather than refreshment.
Is Double Black vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, and it contains no dairy or animal-derived ingredients despite its rich, creamy texture.
