Espresso 'Martini' showdown

When I was in Melbourne recently, I had a new drink experience. After a show, about 2 a.m., we were at a cute little bar Little Lonsdale St called Troika. I was fucked. We'd already done three late nights on the trot and I was coming down with the nasty cold/flu virus which everyone we'd been hanging out with to that point had either reported as having had, or being in the process of getting. Earlier in the evening I'd had a full-on fevered delirium-attack which had had to be beaten off with Scotch and Coldrex, and this only-ever-temporary of poultices was starting to wear off. Putting it simply, I was in the market for the sort of "pick-me-up" I'd hitherto only ever achieved with a brace of Red Bull and Jaegermeisters.

I approached the bar with the full intention of ordering exactly that (two Red Bull and Jaegermeisters). This was when I found the cocktail menu, and what I think they called a "Coffee Martini". (Tom settle down.) (You too, J.) Since it had a shot of espresso, and a more-than-decent amount of white spirits, I made a sudden executive decision and ordered one. It was wonderful - it was like an alcoholic iced coffee laced with speed; it peeled my eyes back, and cleared my head. It was just what the doctor ordered.

Since my return, I've been trying to recreate this drink, and this is what I have come up with.

Option 1 (from DrinksMixer.com) 1 oz cold espresso 1.5 oz Absolut vodka 1.5 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur 1 oz white creme de cacao

Option 2 (also from DrinksMixer.com) 3 oz espresso 1.5 oz vodka 1.5 oz Kahlua coffee liqueur 1 oz Bailey's Irish cream

(as usual, 1 oz is one measure, 30 ml).

Instructions (for both Option 1 and 2): Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into chilled martini glass. It should be somewhat frothy.

A good comparison between the results can be seen in the top images (In both, Option 2 can be seen to the left, and Option 1 to the right).

My comments:
I far preferred Option 1, but I don't like Bailey's to begin with so Option 2 was doomed from the start. Option 2 is extremely powerful - I began to see aliens in my peripheral vision, and worry that my heart was going to wear out. It's also just kinda too sweet.

The "head" on Option 2 is much more full and pronounced than on Option 1; conversely Option 1 has a much nicer, dark appearance.

Other comments:
Miss K (after a mouthful of Option 2): "I'm palpitating!"
Housemate N: Option 1 is too astringent (possibly due to poor quality espresso, though probably due to poor quality white creme de cacao).

Both preferred Option 2. As an occasional alcohol drinker and an occsional coffee drinker, Housemate N was up all night.

(click images to see larger versions).

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