Flagship Espresso Martini by Erik Hakkinen | Westland Cocktail Collective

This year, Westland Distillery banded together our first ever Cocktail Collective, a group of tastemakers who have made a wave in the bartending industry. We've partnered with the innovative minds of the Westland Cocktail Collective to share our pursuit of the unexpected and uncover new flavors in whiskey.

Enter Erik Hakkinen of the accoladed cocktail bar Roquette in Seattle’s belltown neighborhood. For his bar program, he elevates the drinks by holding true to the belief that every milliliter in a cocktail counts; each drop in a drink is designed to impart flavor. This meticulous approach shines through in his creation for the Westland Cocktail Collective, an Espresso Martini that's as much a love letter to the Pacific Northwest as it is a masterful blend of flavors.

As Hakkinen says, “The Espresso Martini has been having an extended moment for the last ten years,” and we wanted to give you the opportunity to try making this elevated version at home. According to Hakkinen, using Westland Flagship in this well-loved and popular cocktail “adds much more backbone and body and nuance and all kinds of delicious chocolatey notes that you wouldn’t get otherwise.” Find the drink recipe below, and bookmark this page so you can recreate it at home.

Recipe: Flagship Espresso Martini
1 oz Westland Flagship American Single Malt Whiskey
1 oz Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Cold Brew Concentrate
0.5 oz Licor 43
0.5 oz Amontillado Sherry
0.5 oz Demerara Syrup (2:1)*
2 drops Saline Solution (4:1)*

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a lot of ice.
Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with one or three coffee beans (two is bad luck!)

Notes:
Cold Brew Coffee: We recommend using a high-quality, locally roasted cold brew, to mimic the vibrant coffee scene of the Pacific Northwest.
Demerara Syrup: The rich, molasses notes of Demerara sugar complement the complex flavors of Westland whiskey. Combine 2 parts Demerara sugar with 1 part hot water, stirring until dissolved.
Saline Solution: This touch of salinity elevates the flavors, creating a smoother, more integrated experience. Dissolve 4 parts kosher salt with 1 part warm water.

The Flagship Espresso Martini is a simple work of art, a Pacific Northwest symphony of flavors that’s easy to create at home wherever you may be. No matter what time of year, when you mix this cocktail for yourself, you take part with us in exploring the possibilities in whiskey. With each drop, we thread the needle between tradition and innovation, unearthing unexpected depths in every sip. As Erik Hakkinen said about Westland, "There aren't any other whiskeys that bring those light fruity but also chocolate notes and pair them with that new oak flavor. There's just nothing else like it." As you create and taste, you get to become a part of this, the spirit of collaboration and innovation, the true meaning of the Westland Cocktail Collective.

Watch our full interview with Erik Hakkinen