Up All Night
An espresso martini tasting is coming to The Banks, and yes, it’s exactly as fun as it sounds
There’s a certain kind of confidence that comes with ordering an espresso martini. It says: I’m sophisticated, I’m energized and yes, I plan to be out a while.
Now imagine ordering three of them in one night. For research, of course.
Friday, Feb. 20, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
The Banks at E+O Kitchen, Red Leprechaun, and Taste of Belgium,
Cost: $20, for three distinct cocktails. Proceeds benefit the Ohio River Foundation. It
Tickets at cincinnaticoffeefestival.com
That’s exactly the idea behind the Espresso Martini Tasting at The Banks, a one-night-only event from the Cincinnati Coffee Festival that invites guests to check out their favorite bars and restaurants at The Banks, sample creative takes on the internet’s favorite cocktail and decide once and for all who does it best.
Here’s how it works: one ticket, three stops and six espresso martinis worth talking about. Each participating location – E+O Kitchen, Taste of Belgium and Red Leprechaun – will serve a classic espresso martini, the control in this very important experiment, alongside a specialty version that leans fully into dessert territory.
Photo: Shae Huth
At Taste of Belgium, that means a Snickerdoodle Espresso Martini, which sounds exactly like something you didn’t know you needed until right now. Over at E+O Kitchen, the Cinnamon Espresso Martini brings a warm, spiced twist to the chilled favorite, along with chocolate Bailey’s. And at Red Leprechaun, things get downright indulgent with a Chocolate Covered Cherry Espresso Martini, a drink that feels less like a cocktail and more like a reward for making it through the week.
Guests can begin at any of the three locations and make their way through The Banks at their own pace. At each spot, you’ll get a two-ounce tasting of the martini of your choice. Plus, there will be drink and food specials – as well as $10 espresso martinis if you want to indulge a bit more.
Tickets are $20, with all proceeds benefiting the Ohio River Foundation, which works to protect and improve the river that quite literally runs through the center of all of this. So while you’re sipping something cold and caffeinated, you’re also doing something objectively good for the community. It’s called balance, sweetie.
The event is part of the Cincinnati Coffee Festival’s growing lineup of year-round programming, a reminder that this city’s coffee culture doesn’t stop at sunrise. It stretches comfortably into the evening, often served in a chilled glass with three espresso beans floating on top like a tiny, caffeinated crown.
If there’s one thing Cincinnati understands, it’s the value of a good drink, a great cause and a night out that feels just a little bit special, so get tickets now for you and your friends.
The espresso martini isn’t going anywhere. And for one night at The Banks, it will be everywhere.