Visiting the Starbucks Reserve Roastery really is like going to the Disneyland of coffee. The 15,000-square-foot Seattle space holds a tasting room, boutique, two cafés, fancy machines grinding and bagging coffee, and plenty of space to grab a seat. There's also a full-scale bar that will convince you coffee belongs in cocktails.
At Princi, the Italian bakery that moved into Seattle's Roastery last November, guests can order beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, as well as pizzas and breads made on-site. While visiting the Roastery in December, we tried the Espresso Martini, an off-the-menu drink that can be made upon request. It sounds strange, until you taste it — it's more like a milkshake than a martini, so the only flaw (depending on your outlook) is that it's extremely easy to drink.
According to a Starbucks spokesperson, while not on the menu, the drink is legit. But you'll only find it in Seattle, for now.
"Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the only Starbucks location that employs skillfully trained bartenders who craft an assortment of signature beverages and cocktails to accompany the authentic Italian cuisine at Princi," the spokesperson said.
As long as the bartender has the ingredients on hand (they're pretty standard for the bar), it can be made. Espresso, vodka, and simple or vanilla syrup are shaken with ice, then strained and poured into a chilled martini glass with an espresso bean garnish. The caffeine boost makes it an ideal drink to start the night with.
Right now, Roastery's are only open in Seattle and Shanghai. Plans for Chicago and New York locations are in the works, though, and all Roastery's are set to include a Princi bakery, so here's hoping more coffee-infused cocktails are on the way. In the meantime, try these coffee cocktails at home to get your fix.
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