In case you weren’t aware, there’s a Starbucks reserve in New York that serves espresso martinis. Two years ago I went and had a seasonal hot honey one that blew my mind and I’ve been chasing that high ever since. Now I’m back and excited for round two.
It’s the holiday season while I’m here so me and Amelia both order our own flight boards. It’s vacation so anything goes after all. I’ll go in order, but my initial impressions are that I’m not too huge on the espresso blend they used this year. It tasted too bitter for me to fully enjoy. The aesthetic of the board is pleasing to my eyes and they’re strong enough that I was feeling it halfway through.
The Eggnog Espresso Martini
I’ve never been big on eggnog and this doesn’t do anything to sway me. It doesn’t vibe with the espresso and no one wins in that battle. I will say that the cream was delicious and I couldn’t help but lick some off at the end. That’s where most of the eggnog flavor seemed to be and I have to give props on that part, it just wasn’t meant for the espresso.
The Peppermint Espresso Martini
This is a great combo. The drink is super pepperminty and the dark chocolate is killer. It tastes like Christmas. The barista told us that they pull 2 oz’s of espresso into the chocolate and then mix it while it’s hot. Afterwards, they sweeten with peppermint syrup. For the flights they pre-batch, but for the single order they’ll make the shot straight into that chocolate (which I would have gotten next if they weren’t so strong.) They finish it off with peppermint crumbles on top that add great texture to the liquid and foam.
The Classic Espresso Martini
I was surprised that this was my favorite. It’s just a good old classic and strong martini. Again, the espresso wasn’t my favorite, but I still greatly enjoyed the drink.
Conclusion
Looking back at my notes and writing my review from December in March, I don’t have that feeling of nostalgia that the hot honey gave me years ago. Still, it was a great time and still a must visit if I’m in that area of New York.
Rating: 824/1000
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