Raise a glass, Boston. Today we’re celebrating one of the most popular drinks in New England — a classic boozy beverage with a caffeinated kick. If you haven’t guessed already, we’re rounding up40 places to order an espresso martini in the Boston area.
But first: what’s in an espresso martini?
While the ingredients can vary from place to place and recipe to recipe, the basics are espresso, coffee liqueur + vodka. Fun fact: the three beans typically placed on top of the drink comes from an Italian tradition — the beans represent health, wealth, and happiness.
Without further ado,here’s our guide to local spots that are shaking up the espresso martini game, broken down by neighborhood.
Let us know if there’s a spot we should add to this map. | Image via Proxi
Get your reservations in early, the espresso martini from this nine-seat North End cocktail bar is worth the hype. City Editor Sara ranks it as the best one she’s tried in Boston.
Made with vanilla vodka, fresh espresso, Kahlúa, Disaronno, Baileys + Frangelico, it’s no wonder this drink is a hit. Psst — Bricco, also in the North End, serves up the same recipe.
We love this reader recommendation — the home of the Boston Creme Pie naturally serves a quality espresso martini with freshly brewed espresso, vodka + a splash of Coole Swan.
Enjoy the Boston Public Market bar’s cocktail made with all New England products — Triple Eight vodka, Boston Harbor Coffee Liqueur, and George Howell espresso.
Go to this hidden gem for the atmospheric lounge vibe and stay for the quintessential espresso martini — served with vodka, Lucano caffe, cold brew, and just a touch of Irish cream.
Slow Food | Fri., July 29 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Club Cafe, 209 Columbus Ave. | $1+ | Enjoy dinner and a show — tickets are pay-what-you-can.
Date Night on the Farm | Fri., July 29 | 6-8 p.m. | Powisset Farm, 37 Powisset St., Dover | $110 | Enjoy a three-course candlelit dinner with rustic views of the farm’s vast landscape.
Saturday
Asian Dumplings & Dim Sum | Sat., July 30 | 1-4 p.m. | Selfup, 19 Kingston St. | $100 | Ditch the takeout box + learn how to make the perfect dumplings from scratch. 🥟
Cambridge Jazz Festival | Sat., July 30 + Sun., July 31 | 12-6 p.m. | Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St. | Free | Kick back + relax at the seventh annual free jazz festival — City Editor Jess’ weekend pick.
Lightforms Opening | Sat., July 30 | 12-3 p.m. | Celeste, 21 Bow St., Somerville | Free | Celebrate the opening of artist Nicolas Carmona Guzman’s temporary installation, on view through mid-September.
Sunday
SoWa Vintage Market | Sun., July 31 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 450 Harrison Ave. | Free | Shop everything from antiques to vintage at the indoor + outdoor marketplace — City Editor Sara’s weekend pick. 🛍️
Bourbon & Blues at the Liberty Hotel | Mon., Aug 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Liberty Lobby Bar, 215 Charles St. | Free | Enjoy live blues music from the band “Hot Sauce” + a bourbon tasting. 🥃
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Drink Up Week just got even better — Love Child in South Boston announced it is opening a bar. The Wild One Boston will be an on-premise concept with a curated selection of beverages (think: natural wines, spritzes, local beers, seltzers + mocktails). Check out the opening today at the Iron Works C-Street Village.
Stop by Fenway this weekend for the grand opening of Ten One Tea House at 1323 Boylston St. The first 30 people to visit between 12-10 p.m. will get a free drink — after that, take your turn at the Wheel of Fortune for discounts like a reusable boba straw + free topping. 🍵
Traffic
Shuttle buses will replace evening Red Line service on the Braintree branch from Mon., Aug. 1-Thurs., Aug. 4 + Mon., Aug. 8-Thurs., Aug. 11 as MBTA crews work on track upgrades, which will eventually remove speed restrictions. (Mass Live)
Civic
Eligibility forms are available for applications for the upcoming round of Community Preservation Act funding. There is ~$39 million available for historic preservation, affordable housing + parks and open space projects — applicants should complete eligibility forms by Wed., Aug. 31. Learn how to apply here.
Sun., July 31 is the last day to provide input for the City of Cambridge’sParticipatory Budgeting. Community members can share ideas on how to spend $1 million in improvement projects — past winning projects have included youth center upgrades, solar panels for the library + laundry access in public schools. Submit your ideas here. 💸
Development
The Street Chestnut Hill will undergo extensive renovations from WS Development. The center of the property (27 Boylston) will consist of 20 new retailers and restaurants, office space + community gathering spaces. The project is expected to be complete in 2023 — we’re keeping an eye out for more details.
Sports
Golf meets Fenway Park when the Topgolf Live Stadium Tourreturns to Boston from Sat., Nov. 5-Wed., Nov 9. Golfers of all levels can tee off from the bleachers + aim at targets throughout the field. Grab tickets when they go on saleFri., Aug. 5 — spectator tickets will be available for $20. ⛳ (Boston Magazine)
Number
$70 million. That’s how much the effort to restore the natural flow of the Herring River in Wellfleet will cost. The largest ecological restoration project in the Northeast aims to reclaim 1,700+ acres of habitat + restore the marshlands. (Boston Globe)
Shop
This Sunday is the last day to shop at The Current in the Seaport. Visit the pop-up (85 Northern Ave.) to browse products from nine female-founded brands, from Brave Daughters to Coffee Bae and Little Words Project.
Tech
Looking for craft brews during Drink Up Week?Massachusetts Craft Beverage Apphas a virtual map detailing every brewery, cidery, distillery + winery throughout the Bay State. The map provides each place’s contact information, website, and whether or not they use Massachusetts ingredients. 🍻
Correction
Oh zap! Yesterday, we shared that the newly painted electrical boxes along the Esplanade were funded through the City of Boston PaintBox program. These projects were actually commissioned by the Esplanade Association + funded, in part, by a grant from the Boston Planning & Development Agency.
Announced
Congrats to reader David K. who was randomly selected to win $1,000 cash as a thank you for completing our recent product survey. David has been contacted by our team. Thanks to all of you who let us know your preferences about our product so we can continue making it better. (Didn’t share your thoughts? You still can.)
Local
In case you missed it, BOStoday just launched our very own membership program. Membership starts at just $25 and helps keep our local news products free to all Bostonians — plus, members get perks like birthday deals, personal shoutouts, Six & Main discounts + more. Sign up. 🎉
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
The South Boston shopping villageis finally here. Stop by when the pop-up opens today at 4 p.m. to shop an inclusive mix of food and retail businesses, from PYNRS Performance Streetwear to In Good Company and Solar Flair — see all retailers here.
Editor’s pick:While I have drinks on the brain, I’m thinking about one very serious issue for Bostonians — Dunkinflation. That’s right, the city’s go-to spot for a cheap cuppa coffee seems to be getting more and more expensive. ☕
Have you noticed your Dunkin’ order taking more of a toll on your wallet? Let me know if this hot topic is affecting your iced coffee consumption.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
