Finding the best espresso martinis in London

Espresso martinis. Oh, how we love your caffeine creaminess. Problem is it rarely stops at just the one, right? But there's no doubt about it, ordering an espresso martini post-work on a Friday is the done thing to do these days, but finding a good coffee cocktail can sometimes be a bit of stab in the dark roast. Plus, did you know that the espresso martini's origins reportedly come from London? Well, now you do.

Over the weekend of 10-12 August, London will play host to the capital's first festival dedicated to the espresso martini cocktail.

The caffeinated cocktail was created by the mixologist Dick Bradsell, who invented the drink while working at Brasserie Soho in the 1980s.

The three-day festival, a collaboration between Mr Black and DrinkUp.London (which is also behind the award-winning London Cocktail Week), will see 50 top bars across the city pouring variations on the classic.

Cocktail fans can enjoy countless variations on the espresso martini for just £5 each at over 50 top bars during the festival

Each is available for £5 after the purchase of a £10 festival pass. Bradsell's daughter, Bea Bradsell, is "overjoyed" to be celebrating her late father's legacy in such spectacular fashion.

For her, it's important to get both the coffee and the atmosphere right. "You can serve the best drink in the world, but if the atmosphere is terrible, it's just not going to be as good," she explains.

Bradsell is both proud and fond of London's burgeoning cocktail scene. "London is right there on the centre stage, scooping awards every year. There's a huge range, which is what's always so impressive. There's really exciting things going on at every level. "

10 of the best espresso martinis in London

1) Sager and Wilde, Paradise Row

2) Grind, various locations

3) The Cocktail Trading Co (CTC), Bethnal Green Road

4) Original Sin, Stoke Newington

5) London Cocktail Club (LCC), various locations

6) The Vaults, Greek Street, Soho

7) The Walrus Room, Battersea

8) Milk and Honey, Poland Street, Soho

9) The Blind Pig, Poland Street, Soho

10) Well and Bucket, Bethnal Green Road

Source ; http://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/find-best-espresso-martinis-london/