Which cocktail did Dick Bradsell create at London’s Soho Brasserie in the 1980s?

Dick Bradsell created the Espresso Martini at London’s Soho Brasserie in the 1980s.

According to the commonly repeated origin story, a customer asked Bradsell for a drink that would wake her up. He combined vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar syrup, producing the drink now known as the Espresso Martini.

The original name was reportedly “Vodka Espresso.” It later became known as the Espresso Martini, even though it is not a Martini in the traditional gin-and-vermouth sense. The name reflects the drink’s served-up style and its cocktail-glass presentation.

The drink is usually shaken hard with ice, creating a foamy surface. A garnish of three coffee beans is common, though garnish customs vary by bar and recipe.