Not Your Mother’s Morning Brew
Written by: Laura Pajzner
She is the moment. She is the new girl on the scene. She is taking the spotlight away from virtually every other cocktail. She is undeniably the superior drink. And if you disagree, you are wrong. Period, end of story.
I love a glass of champagne just as much as the next girl—but the bite of espresso in the form of a sophisticated drink is a recipe for a night (or morning) of dancing and laughs. Who doesn’t want that? Sorry Carrie Bradshaw, but you and your cosmos can take a hike in your Manolos. Whether it be brunch or dinner, you’re in for a treat with the finest espresso martinis Philadelphia has to offer.
An espresso martini must have the following characteristics to surpass my humble expectations: high-quality espresso, martini glass presentation with espresso beans lining the foam (this is not to be debated), must be a darker color (light brown means far too creamy and sweet), perfectly strong enough, and the price needs to be justified based off overall experience.
JG SkyHigh at the Four Seasons | 1 N 19th St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $16
Talk about experiential fine dining. At JG SkyHigh, a 360-view glass elevator leads you up to your table. Once the door opens, you are on the 58th floor of the Comcast Center, and the views continue as you’re seated. If you’re not ordering an espresso martini in a matter of seconds… then you’re simply not doing the Four Seasons right. Whether you’re on a hot date, want to splurge on a night with the girls, or want to sit at the gorgeous high-top bar alone, you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience. At $16, the martini comes from its own magical Espresso Bar land located on the top floor. The presentation is 10/10 as the martini is adorned with a row of espresso beans. I would even argue the espresso martini is superior to the 360-degree views. Make this top of your Philly splurge bucket list.
Blind Barber | 1325 Sansom St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $14
The Blind Barber is a speakeasy-style bar that totally caught me by surprise. You walk into a typical barbershop, but with the turn of a doorknob, you are teleported into a red-light lit gorgeous bar with a DJ playing the perfect array of oldies and classics. There are few places in the city where you can dance with an espresso martini in hand, but the Blind Barber flawlessly executes this vibe I have been searching for my whole life. And it is not just the red lights talking; this martini is pure perfection—smooth with the perfect amount of espresso bite. And, of course, it’s adorned with espresso beans—the reason I keep going back. The foam on the top is that of an artful masterpiece.
The Victor Café | 1303 Dickinson St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $14
If you have never been to The Victor Café, I beg you to grab your closest friends and head over to this Italian gem. I won’t spoil the best-kept secret of this restaurant… so for now, if you know, you know. Great spot to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion. I ordered the espresso martini, as it often occurs to me at the dessert portion of the meal. It instantly flew to the top of the list with its presentation, high-quality espresso taste, and minimal sweetness that was the perfect decadent end to a great meal. Much like the entertainment at this restaurant, this cocktail was the perfect crescendo, *wink, wink.* I cannot recommend this spot enough!
Positano Coast | 212 Walnut St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $15
Envisioning myself at my most content includes a dozen oysters with tons of lemon and an espresso martini, specifically, at Positano Coast in Old City. Positano Coast is so good that I even took my mom here for Mother’s Day brunch, and she is my best friend. In typical fashion, the second the menu approaches the table, I am already uttering the words, “Do you make an espresso martini?” Positano Coast’s espresso martini is equally superior to the luxurious food they serve. The martini has the perfect lingering aftertaste of strong and bold espresso but the most subtle sweetness and creamy note. It is to die for—an Old City classic.
Moshulu | 401 S Christopher Columbus Blvd | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $13
Oh, Moshulu. If I could kiss you, I would. But you’re a boat, so that’s weird. ANYWAY! When you step foot on this boat, you are instantly taken back to the Titanic and suddenly feel an intense urge to throw on a ball gown. Two things to note: there is no espresso in this martini (it’s cold brew), but because the price is $13 as opposed to $16, I’ll allow it. And you cannot ignore the fact that you are on a boat. The martini is creamier than I usually prefer, but because I found myself dancing in my seat in under five minutes—I would say that it is the perfect start to the day.
Parc | 227 S 18th St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $14
Let us take a quick journey to France, shall we? Parc’s espresso martini provides a citrus kick that is sure to leave you feeling even brighter than usual. I think if you sat me down with rounds of espresso martinis and bread baskets, I could die there happy. Parc is a special occasion spot, but why not make it an everyday thing? In fact, when I finally reach peak adultness, I will go there all by myself with a stack of magazines sunglasses on and sit outside with an espresso martini people-watching and ignoring all my other responsibilities. Oui, oui!
Aqimero at the Ritz-Carlton | 10 S Broad St | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | $16
Housed within the Ritz-Carlton, Aqimero is a vibrant Latin-inspired restaurant featuring an Endless Bubbles Brunch. Sure, you can play it safe and order a mimosa; however, life isn’t meant to be lived cautiously. Get that morning buzz on with Aqimero’s espresso martini that is as classic as the Ritz. You will feel like a million dollars sipping this smooth but perfectly bitter alcoholic drink. With each sip, you are met with a sweet and creamy martini, dressed with espresso beans, of course, and the richest dark color.
There you have it, the best espresso martinis in Philadelphia. I will stick to these tried-and-true things forever in my humble yet oh-so-correct opinion. Yes, I am that annoying restaurant patron that asks, “Excuse me, do you have espresso martinis, by chance?” Cheers!