Free to Rome

Serve in a

Garnish:

Lemon twist, mint leaf & 3 drops of toasted sesame oil

How to make:

SHAKE first 5 ingredients with ice. SPRAY inside of chilled glass with lemon zest oils. Fine strain cocktail into the aromatised glass.

Review:

Lemon oils dry and add freshness to this Espresso Martini made special by a slash of olive oil and nutty liqueur.

History:

Created in August 2023 by Mike Rosenthal in Nashville, USA, this cocktail was the joint 2nd place in the Galliano Espresso Martini Competition.

This martini was inspired by an experience I had while travelling in Rome with a friend. As the somewhat blurry story goes, we indulged in a fabulous multi-course feast accompanied by a cocktail (or three), and afterwards, I wanted to keep the party going, so when my friend decided to go back to the hotel, I made my way to a neighborhood cafe for a nightcap. When I stepped in the door, the operatic music stopped (it didn't actually stop, but it sure felt like it).

It was clear that I was out of my element at this local watering hole. Everyone around was sipping digestifs, limoncello, espresso, & wine, and I was... not. Initially, I felt like a Branzino out of Mediterranean water, but as the story goes, I struck up a conversation with the canoodling couple at the end of the bar. Next, the three of us joined the elderly group of gentlemen in the corner. Within an hour, the whole place was singing songs and sharing social media handles. It reminded me that sometimes the best nights are the most unexpected ones.

The next morning, I recapped the epic night I had over a perfect double espresso accompanied with some biscotti regina (sesame lemon cookies), and two Tylenol.

This espresso martini stems from the experience of bringing people together in a foreign environment and exploring with an open mind. In personifying this drink, I played the part of the bourbon (the brash American connector of strangers) surrounded by the Italian locals (amaretto, olive oil & really good lemons) and finished (or recapped) with toasted sesame & espresso. The flavors seem unrelated at first, but funny enough, they come together and dare I say, blend seamlessly. I named it the "Free To Rome" to remind me to continue to explore and get out of my comfort zone, because you never know when an epic night is in store.

Mike Rosenthal, August 2023

Alcohol content:

• 1.5 standard drinks
• 19.13% alc./vol. (38.26° proof)
• 20.3 grams of pure alcohol