The espresso martini has been one of the most popular cocktails in American bars for several years now, and brands keep finding new ways to sell it. The latest: Borghetti, the Italian espresso liqueur, has teamed up with Chillhouse, the New York nail and self-care brand, on a set of press-on nails inspired by the drink.
What it is
The “Espresso After Hours” Chill Tips are long almond-shaped nails in a brown cat-eye finish with swirls meant to look like a freshly shaken espresso martini as it’s poured. The kit has 24 nails, a buffer and file, a cuticle stick and glue. It costs $16 at Chillhouse.com and at the Chillhouse flagship at 75 Varick Street in SoHo.
Borghetti is made with real Italian espresso by Fratelli Branca, the Milan company behind Fernet-Branca, and imported to the US by Branca USA. It’s sold at Kroger, Total Wine & More and Binny’s, and on DoorDash and Instacart.
The 30-second espresso martini
Borghetti’s pitch is speed: it says its espresso martini takes 30 seconds, because the liqueur already contains the coffee. That’s the honest appeal of an espresso liqueur at home. The classic version needs a shot of fresh espresso, cooled, plus vodka, coffee liqueur and sugar, and the espresso is the step that stops most people. With a liqueur that already tastes of real coffee, you shake it with vodka and ice and pour.
The trade-off is the crema. The foam on top of a good espresso martini comes from fresh espresso oils shaken hard. A liqueur-led version is quicker but usually thinner on top. If you have an espresso machine, pull a fresh shot and use the liqueur in place of the sugar and coffee liqueur; you get the speed of the bottle and the foam of the shot.
As for the nails, they’re a fun gift for someone who orders the drink every time. They won’t make a better cocktail, but they’re cheaper than one.