A great cocktail is judged by taste first, but presentation matters too. Garnishes turn a simple pour into an experience, adding aroma, texture, and visual appeal that make every sip more enjoyable.
DrinkThat, our bottled espresso martini born from Bricco Restaurant’s award-winning recipe in Boston’s North End, already delivers a rich, complex flavor profile straight from the bottle. But the right garnish can elevate that experience even further, drawing out specific notes and adding a touch of elegance to your glass. Here’s how to choose the best garnish for your next DrinkThat pour.
Why do garnishes matter for an espresso martini?
Garnishes aren’t purely decorative. They interact with a cocktail’s aroma and flavor, shaping the first impression before a sip is even taken. With espresso martinis specifically, garnishes often echo the coffee-forward profile of the drink, reinforcing its rich, roasted character while adding a contrasting texture or scent.
For DrinkThat, the flavor profile balances coffee, hazelnut, vanilla, and cacao, the goal of a garnish should be to complement, not compete. That means choosing options that highlight the existing notes rather than introducing flavors that clash with them.
What are the best garnishes for a DrinkThat cocktail?
Coffee beans
The classic garnish for any espresso martini, whole coffee beans are simple, elegant, and functional. Floating three beans on top of your DrinkThat pour is a tradition rooted in Italian coffee culture, said to represent health, wealth, and happiness. Beyond the symbolism, the beans release a subtle aroma as you drink, enhancing the coffee-forward nose of the cocktail.
Cacao dust
A light dusting of cacao powder across the foam top of your DrinkThat adds a bittersweet aroma that pairs naturally with the drink’s cacao and vanilla notes. This garnish also adds visual contrast against DrinkThat’s rich, dark color, giving the pour a polished, professional finish reminiscent of what you’d find in a Boston cocktail lounge.
Orange twist
For a brighter, more aromatic take, an orange twist introduces a citrus contrast that cuts through the drink’s sweetness. Express the oils from the peel over the glass before dropping it in, releasing a fragrant citrus note that lifts the overall drinking experience without overpowering the coffee and hazelnut base.
Shaved chocolate
If you’re leaning into DrinkThat’s dessert-like qualities, shaved dark chocolate makes an indulgent garnish. It reinforces the cacao notes already present in the cocktail and adds a touch of texture, making it a good choice for after-dinner sipping.
Espresso beans dipped in chocolate
For special occasions, try a garnish that combines two of the above options: chocolate-covered espresso beans. This adds a layer of sweetness and crunch that plays well with DrinkThat’s smooth, lingering finish, making it a memorable choice for holiday gatherings or dinner parties.
Which garnish should you choose for your occasion?
Choose whole coffee beans if you want a traditional, low-effort presentation that highlights DrinkThat’s coffee-forward profile. Choose cacao dust or shaved chocolate if you’re serving dessert alongside your cocktail and want to emphasize its cacao and vanilla notes. Choose an orange twist if you prefer a brighter, more refreshing take, especially for warm-weather gatherings.
Whichever you choose, remember that DrinkThat is already crafted from seven premium ingredients, including real espresso, so a garnish should enhance rather than mask its existing character.
Bring the Bricco experience home with DrinkThat!
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