Black Sesame Espresso Martini

Before you start

Black sesame has a deep, roasted, almost smoky flavor that East Asian desserts lean on, from soups to ice cream. Coffee has many of the same roasted notes, so a small amount of black sesame syrup in an espresso martini adds length and a savory edge rather than an obvious new flavor. The result is darker and less sugary than the usual coffeehouse-style version.

Two things decide the drink. First, toast the seeds yourself or use a pure toasted sesame paste, because raw seeds taste flat and green. Second, use espresso that is freshly pulled and still warm when it hits the ice; its oils and gases are what build the tan foam on top. Strain the syrup finely so no grit spoils the crema-like head.

Ingredients

• Black sesame syrup (makes about 120 ml)25 g (about 3 tbsp) black sesame seeds — or 20 g pure toasted black sesame paste
• 100 g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 100 ml (3⅓ oz) water
• 1 pinch fine salt
• Cocktail45 ml (1½ oz) vodka
• 30 ml (1 oz) freshly pulled espresso — 1 single shot
• 15 ml (½ oz) coffee liqueur
• 15 ml (½ oz) black sesame syrup
• 1 cup (about 150 g) ice cubes — for shaking
• 1 pinch toasted black sesame seeds — garnish

Method

1. Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, shaking the pan, for 3 to 4 minutes until they smell nutty and a few begin to pop. Black seeds hide burning, so trust your nose and pull them at the first sharp smell.
2. Dissolve the sugar in the water over medium heat, then pour the warm syrup into a blender with the toasted seeds and salt. Blend for 45 seconds until the syrup turns charcoal gray.
3. Let it stand for 20 to 25 minutes so the solids settle and the flavor deepens. Strain through a fine strainer, then again through a coffee filter if you want a smoother foam.
4. Pull a single shot of espresso. Add it, still warm, to the shaker with the vodka, coffee liqueur and sesame syrup.
5. Fill the shaker with ice and shake as hard as you can for 15 seconds. Vigorous shaking whips the coffee oils into a dense foam.
6. Double-strain into the chilled glass and wait about 20 seconds for the foam to settle. Scatter a few toasted sesame seeds on top.

Tips for success

• Use a medium or dark roast espresso. Bright, fruity light roasts clash with the sesame and read as sour.
• Shake immediately after adding the espresso. If the shot sits and cools, you lose much of the foam.
• For a stronger sesame note, add 2 drops of toasted sesame oil to the whole batch of syrup, not to the drink, so it disperses evenly.

Substitutions

Black sesame seeds

White sesame seeds or tahini give a lighter, more peanut-like flavor and a beige drink. Use the same weight and toast the seeds the same way.

Espresso

30 ml of cold brew concentrate makes a smoother drink with less foam. Strong moka pot coffee works and foams reasonably well.

Vodka

An aged rum or Japanese whisky adds caramel and oak that suit the roasted sesame. Keep the pour at 45 ml.

Variations

Sesame espresso tonic, no alcohol

Pour 15 ml of sesame syrup and 120 ml of tonic over ice in a tall glass, then float a fresh espresso shot on top.

Troubleshooting

The foam is thin or vanishes quickly

The espresso was cold or the shake was gentle. Use a fresh shot, plenty of hard ice and a longer shake.

There is grit on the tongue

The syrup was not strained finely enough. Strain it through a coffee filter; it is slow but worth it.

It tastes burnt and bitter

The seeds scorched while toasting. Make a new batch over lower heat and stop as soon as the aroma blooms.

Storage

Serve the cocktail as soon as it is shaken. Keep the sesame syrup refrigerated in a sealed jar and use it within about 1 week; seed solids make it more perishable than plain syrup. Shake the jar before use and discard it if it smells rancid or sour.

Safety notes

Contains about 1.2 U.S. standard drinks (45 ml of 40% vodka plus 15 ml of coffee liqueur; one standard drink is about 14 g of alcohol). A single espresso shot adds caffeine, roughly 60 to 80 mg depending on the coffee; FDA cites 400 mg per day as an amount not generally linked to negative effects for most healthy adults. Sesame is a major food allergen. For adults of legal drinking age only; never drink and drive.