Espresso Martini in Side: Coffee Cocktails at Hawaii Bar

Yes, Hawaii Restaurant & Bar in Side old town has an Espresso Martini on its cocktail list. A classic Espresso Martini is shaken from vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso, giving a creamy foam on top. The menu does not list Hawaii's exact recipe, so ask the bartender. The bar is open daily until 02:00.

What a classic Espresso Martini is

Despite the name, an Espresso Martini is not a true martini at all. It belongs to the family of coffee cocktails and is usually made from three things: vodka, coffee liqueur and a shot of espresso, often with a little sugar syrup. Everything is shaken hard with ice and strained into a chilled glass. The hard shake whips the coffee oils into a light, tan foam, and three coffee beans on top are the traditional finish.

The result is cold, smooth and a little bitter, with sweetness from the liqueur and a coffee kick that makes it popular as an after-dinner drink. It is usually served in a stemmed coupe or martini glass, which is where the second half of the name comes from. Because it relies on coffee as much as spirit, the freshness and strength of the espresso shapes the final drink more than in most cocktails.

Hawaii's version: ask the bartender

Hawaii's cocktail list includes the Espresso Martini by name, but without an ingredient description. Bars vary the ratio of vodka to liqueur, the sweetness and the strength of the coffee, so the honest advice is simple: ask the bartender how they make it, and say if you like it sweeter, stronger or more bitter. Hawaii has been running as a restaurant and bar in Side since 2000, so the drinks list is a real part of the evening rather than an afterthought.

When to order one

• After dinner. The classic slot: instead of dessert, or alongside it.
• Before a late night. Hawaii is open until 02:00, and the coffee in an Espresso Martini is part of its appeal for a long evening.
• On a karaoke or match night. Hawaii runs karaoke and shows live sport on screens, including football, Premier League, Champions League, F1 and ice hockey.

Pairing with the coffee family

If coffee is your thing, the Espresso Martini sits inside a whole family of coffee drinks at Hawaii. A plain Espresso or a Double Espresso is the non-alcoholic answer to the same craving, and a good choice for anyone in your group who is driving or not drinking. Our cappuccino, latte and espresso guide covers the full coffee list.

For coffee with a warming drop of spirit, the liqueur coffees are the other direction to go: see Irish coffee and liqueur coffees. They are served hot, where the Espresso Martini is ice-cold, which makes them a natural pair for cooler winter evenings. Between the two sits the Espresso Martini: coffee and spirit, but served ice-cold and shaken, so it suits warm summer nights in Side just as well.

Other coffee-liqueur cocktails on the menu

Hawaii's list also includes cocktails built on Kahlua, the coffee liqueur. The White Russian is listed as vodka, kahlua and milk, and the Black Russian as vodka, kahlua and cola. The Screaming Orgasm mixes vodka, kahlua, baileys, amaretto and milk. If you enjoy an Espresso Martini, these are the closest relatives; read more in our White Russian and Black Russian guide.

The list also has a Hawaii Martini, again without a printed description. If you are curious, ask the bartender what is in it.

Happy Hour

Hawaii runs a Happy Hour daily from 19:00 to 20:00. Which drinks are part of it can change, so ask at the bar on the night. For more, see the cocktail bar in Side guide.

Adults only, please drink responsibly

The Espresso Martini contains alcohol and is for adults only. Combining alcohol and caffeine can mask how much you have had, so pace yourself, drink water between rounds and never drive after drinking. Hawaii's free round-trip hotel pickup from selected hotels, and a paid two-way transfer from farther areas, means nobody needs to.

Plan your evening

Hawaii Restaurant & Bar is in Side old town, open daily 10:00–02:00. Current cocktail prices are on the live menu. Book on the reservation page or message WhatsApp +90 533 930 12 83.