Welcome to the episode 34 of The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle with special guest Elissa Dunn from Hellqueen Cocktails

What are we drinking?

Elissa Dunn, formerly known as The Badass Bartender is now known as HellQueen Cocktails. She’s bartending at the famous Merc Bar in Phoenix and loves to see her fans while she’s working, just don’t get grabby with the garnishes. We talked with Elissa today about making an espresso martini, with tequila – mind blown! And then she opens our eyes to a whole new world with a variety of takes on the espresso martini. Of course we get into her story, war stories, and end (as always) with tips. 

Tip: how to shake

Espresso Martini Recipe

What do I need?

• Coupe Glass

• Tin-on-tin Cocktail Shaker

• Jigger

• Strainer: Hawthorne & fine mesh strainer

• Tequila, blanco or resposado

• chilled espresso

• coffee liqueur

• simple syrup

• salt

• Ice

• 3 espresso beans, to garnish

How do I make it?

Chill your coupe glass

In shaker add: 

2oz Tequila

1oz chilled espresso

1oz coffee liqueur

.5oz simple syrup (more or less depending on the coffee liqueur you use)

Pinch of salt

Big chunk(s) or ice fresh from freezer (no wet ice – ICE MATTERS!)

Double strain into chilled coupe glass

Garnish with 3 espresso beans

Time for our special guest

Meet Elissa:

Formally “The Badass Bartender.” At 18 years of age, Elissa told her parents she wanted to bartend and own a bar; they said, “over our dead body.” After graduating college, Elissa worked as a professional horse trainer, a career she had been training for since she was a child. When that fell through, she did what any rational person would do, got a desk job. But after only a couple of years, Elissa decided sitting behind a desk was just not for her. With nothing left to lose, she decided to try her hand at bartending. Seven years later, Elissa is now the fastest-growing bar personality in the business.

This year alone, she was featured in Imbibe magazine, was top 10 at the Liquor 43 competition, and a semi-finalist in the Jack Daniels whiskey sour competition. In just seven years, she has bartended in 5 different states working anywhere from local pubs to award-winning craft cocktail bars. In Phoenix, AZ, Elissa consults for local bar programs, hosts mixology classes for fortune 500 companies, and creates content for brands on social media.

Get your Espresso Martini recipe & meet Elissa by listening to the full podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts!