“Celebrating London’s late-night coffee culture with one of the world’s most iconic cocktails

Gods of boozy coffee, Mr Black, are launching London’s first festival expressly dedicated to the espresso martini. Mr Black’s Espresso Martini Festival will run from 10-12 August celebrating the capital’s most famous cocktail export and including some of the most prestigious cocktail bars.

Working hand in hand with DrinkUp.London, the company behind the award-winning London Cocktail Week, the three-day festival will see 50 top cocktail bars across the city pouring £5 variations on this celebrity of the drinks world. Alongside the eponymous serve, each bar will also be rustling up a unique coffee-based cocktail that makes use of Mr Black coffee liqueur – ensuring that visitors will be spoilt for choice wherever they choose to go.

The apocryphal story of the espresso martini is almost as famous as the drink itself. Legendary barman Dick Bradsell invented the drink whilst working at Brasserie Soho in the 1980s, responding to a request from a patron for a drink to “wake me up and then fuck me up”. Dick Bradsell sadly passed away in February 2016, but his influence on the London drinks scene will endure for decades to come.

Made from Australian grain spirit and beans from Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and Brazil, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur has become indispensable to the bartender’s back bar.

The Hoodooist himself is often averse to coffee liqueurs for the tendency toward a rank sweetness and acidity, but Mr. Black is one of those rare liqueurs that hits the mark just right – making it perfect for an Espresso Martini.

The nose is an immediate of coffee and vanilla – raw and powerful. The palate rich with coffee and caramel, but balanced by dark cacao. A finish to coffee and hints of demerara linger.

Expect to see some of London’s best bar’s participating:
Demon, Wise and Partners will be serving up a Black Gold, starring Mr Black Coffee liqueur, El Dorado 12 yr old rum, fresh espresso coffee, house spiced syrup and garnished with dehydrated orange and chocolate chips – No doubt served short and strong, as is their signature style.

Whereas the gorgeous 46 & Mercy will have The Bradsell Manifesto, Mr Black Coffee liqueur, Olmeca Tequila, Jägermeister Manifest, mezcal and fresh espresso coffee.

On the other hand, whisky den, Bull In A China Shop will be serving a double whammy of the Eastpresso – Mr Black Coffee liqueur, fresh espresso coffee, Nikka from the barrel Japanese whisky, matcha tea syrup and yuzu bitters; and Chilpresso – Mr Black Coffee liqueur, fresh espresso coffee, El Dorado 8 yr old rum, chilli liqueur, agave syrup and wood essence bitters.

“Coffee is one of those things that runs deep with people – like sex and religion – so we use our festival as an opportunity to bring people together and indulge a little. We had huge success with the inaugural festival down in Melbourne last year, with tickets for the Friday night session selling out in 60 seconds – so we thought we’d give it a spin here in London.”

Attendees will need to purchase a £10 Festival Pass via DrinkUp.London and download the free app to search for bars taking part.

Once signed up, simply flash your festival pass at each participating bar to enjoy outstanding cocktails at any time over the three days for just £5. Festival Passes for Mr Black Espresso Martini Fest go on sale from Monday, 3rd July via DrinkUp.London and are limited for the first year, so Espresso Martini lovers will need to act fast to snap up one of the hottest tickets around.”

WHAT: Mr Black Espresso Martini Fest

WHEN: Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 August 2017

TICKETS: £10

APP: Search for DrinkUp.London on the App Store or get it on Google Play

MORE INFO: www.drinkup.london

@MrBlackSpirits #espressomartinifest