Coffee or a cocktail? With an Espresso Martini, you don't have to choose. It's on the bar menu at Nonòs Judd Street, our Greek Mediterranean kitchen and bar at 112 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NT, five minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras. Here's what goes into it and where it came from.
Vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso
The Espresso Martini, also known as a vodka espresso, is a cold coffee cocktail made with espresso, coffee liqueur and vodka and served in a martini glass. Most recipes shake it over ice and strain it into a chilled glass. Despite the name, it isn't a true martini, because it contains neither gin nor vermouth. It's one of many modern drinks that borrow the word.
Born in a Soho bar
There are several claims about who invented it, but the best known credits the London bartender Dick Bradsell. The story goes that in the 1980s, at the Soho Brasserie (which would put it around 1983), a model asked him for a drink that would wake her up. Bradsell later said the bar's coffee machine stood right next to where he made drinks, so coffee was on his mind, and vodka was what everybody was drinking at the time.
Bradsell, who died in 2016, created several drinks now seen as modern classics, including the Bramble, which is also on our list. The Espresso Martini had a big surge in popularity in the early 2020s. Wikipedia's pages on the Espresso Martini and Dick Bradsell have more.
Our Espresso Martini
On our drinks and bar menu, the Espresso Martini is vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso coffee and simple syrup.
Tom came for lunch and enjoyed Delicious greek wine and a couple of cocktails plus fantastic service.
(Tom L., Google review) Sophie brought her team for lunch: Food and cocktails was so tasty!
(Sophie U., Google review)
The Greek cousin: freddo espresso
If you like your coffee cold but would rather skip the alcohol, try the Greek way: a Freddo Espresso, espresso blended with ice and poured over fresh ice, or a Freddo Cappuccino, the same base topped with cold frothed milk. Our guide to Greek iced coffee explains the difference, and our post on alcohol-free drinks at Nonòs covers the mocktails.
If you like it, try these
- Bramble: Beefeater gin, fresh lemon, gomme syrup and blackberry liqueur. Another Dick Bradsell creation.
- Dry Martini: a true martini, with gin or vodka, dry vermouth and orange bitters.
- Negroni: gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.
- Old Fashioned: whiskey, brown sugar, Angostura bitters and soda.
Our posts on cocktails and aperitivo hour and the Pornstar Martini cover the rest of the list.
Something sweet alongside
An Espresso Martini makes a good dessert on its own, but it's even better with one. From the à la carte menu: Baklava, layered filo pastry with chopped nuts and syrup; a Warm Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream; or Greek Yoghurt with honey and mixed nuts. See our post on baklava and Greek desserts.
“Great food, service and vibe”
Lee, Google review, September 2026
Good to know
- Address: 112 Judd Street, King's Cross, London WC1H 9NT. Phone 020 7278 9700.
- Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 08:30–22:00, Thursday to Saturday 08:30–23:00. The à la carte menu starts at noon.
- Allergies: please speak to our team about allergies and dietary requirements. Menus may vary slightly by location and season.
Judd Street is open until 23:00 Thursday to Saturday, so there's time for one more. Book a table at Nonòs Judd Street or just walk in. Please drink responsibly.