Cooking, Recipes, Wine............ and Ethical Foie Gras - At Last!

This is a martini that's got the sharp pick-me-up of a tight espresso combined with the smoothness, surprise and easy-drinking of the best martinis. Think of it as a more sophisticated vodka and Red Bull if you wish - but that's really not a fair comparison - Martini Espressos taste wonderful as well as taking immediate effect.

There are many variations on this recipe - have a look at www.espressomartini.com and of course it's often a case of substituting what you have but always stick to vodka and never gin for this martini.

Martini Espressos can be made black or white. White usually involves adding creme de cacao but here we use just a dash of Baileys.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 Vodka
• 1.5 Kahlua
• 2 Cold Espresso
• 0.5 Baileys
• Ice
• Several Coffee Beans
• Brown sugar to decorate the glass

Firstly prepare some espressos in advance in a big cup and allow to cool naturally. Don't attempt to cool hot espressos with ice in the mixer - it just makes for a loose watery drink.

Using glasses chilled in the freezer, decorate the glass. Wipe the rim with a slice of orange and dip in brown sugar.
Then mix the ingredients in your shaker with ice and shake briefly. Pour into shallow martini glasses and add a whole coffee bean to each glass.