The Espresso Martini, with a Little Leopard Bar Attitude

The Leopard Bar at The Rubens at the Palace is giving one of London’s best-loved cocktails its own moment. Launching on 1st October in recognition of International Coffee Day, our latest partnership with long-standing coffee partner illy puts the Espresso Martini centre stage, bringing together a London original, a little Leopard character and the perfect excuse for a well-timed pick-me-up. 

There is a reason the Espresso Martini has never really gone out of fashion.

Coffee when you need a lift. Vodka when the working day is very much over. That unmistakable crema. And at The Leopard Bar, a leopard-print finish that makes it instantly at home.

Equal parts pick-me-up and night-out order, the Espresso Martini feels particularly well suited to a bar with a little feline character of its own.

On 1st October, in recognition of International Coffee Day, we’re putting the Espresso Martini firmly in the spotlight at The Leopard Bar. In partnership with our long-standing coffee partner illy, we’re celebrating the drink’s London story and giving guests even more reason to pull up a seat.

The new menu starts with the classic Espresso Martini, then takes a few tempting turns through vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel and Baileys. There’s an alcohol-free Velvet Espresso too. Stay for truffle Parmesan fries or the katsu fillet steak and caviar sandwich, then finish with a tiramisu Parisian sandwich if you’re in the mood for something sweet.

A post-work pick-me-up, a pre-theatre drink, something after Royal Afternoon Tea or before dinner at The English Grill: the Espresso Martini fits rather neatly into a day at The Rubens.

A London cocktail with staying power 

The Espresso Martini was born in London in the mid-1980s, created by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell while working at Soho Brasserie. 

The story has since become part of cocktail folklore. A customer approached the bar asking for a drink that would wake her up and, in the rather more colourful original telling, do quite the opposite too. 

Bradsell reached for coffee and vodka. Espresso, coffee liqueur and sugar syrup followed, everything was shaken together and the Vodka Espresso was born. The three coffee beans traditionally used to finish the drink came to represent health, wealth and happiness.  

Coffee was quite literally close at hand. Soho Brasserie had recently installed an illy coffee machine, helping to put espresso front of mind as Bradsell began experimenting with the drink.  

From Soho to cocktail menus around the world 

Bradsell continued to develop the drink over the years. 

During his time at Pharmacy, the Damien Hirst-backed bar, it became known for a period as the Pharmaceutical Stimulant. As Martini-style serves grew in popularity, the cocktail moved into the glass now synonymous with it and became the Espresso Martini.  

illy remained connected to Bradsell’s coffee cocktails too. According to the story shared by illy, he valued the coffee for its consistency and the crema it produced, both fundamental to a great Espresso Martini.  

Nearly four decades later, it remains one of those orders that needs very little introduction. 

Two London stories from the same era 

There is a pleasing connection behind this collaboration. 

The Espresso Martini arrived on London’s bar scene in the same era that Red Carnation Hotels was beginning to grow in the capital, with our hotels, bars and restaurants becoming characterful destinations for Londoners and visitors alike. 

From the beginning, the Tollman family’s passion for hospitality has shaped the collection. Great cocktails and delicious food have always been part of that story, alongside a belief in the simple pleasure of sharing a drink, a meal and good conversation. 

That makes this partnership with illy, our long-standing coffee partner, feel particularly fitting. A brand connected to the earliest days of the Espresso Martini now joins us in celebrating one of London’s best-loved cocktails at The Leopard Bar, somewhere with plenty of character of its own. 

Power Hour at The Leopard Bar 

The Espresso Martini has always occupied a useful space between coffee break and cocktail hour. With a few variations on the classic and an alcohol-free Velvet Espresso on the menu, there’s a version for more than one kind of afternoon.

Finished work? Close the laptop and order the classic, or let the salted caramel version mark the end of the day.

Just finished Royal Afternoon Tea? Keep the afternoon going at the bar. The Velvet Espresso gives you the coffee hit and the pleasure of a Martini, without the vodka.

Going to the theatre? Wicked and Hamilton are both just a seven-minute walk away. Stop in for a vanilla or chocolate Espresso Martini before the show and make the journey there part of the evening.

Staying for dinner? Begin with a drink at the bar before moving through to The English Grill. The Baileys Espresso Martini might even tempt you back afterwards.

The Leopard Bar is open Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 8pm, catching that useful stretch between daytime plans and the evening ahead. Call it Power Hour: a post-work boost, a pre-theatre drink, or simply an excuse to make more of your afternoon.

A little Leopard character 

The setting has plenty of personality of its own. 

Inside, rich textures, bold accents and feline details give The Leopard Bar a sense of glamour with a playful edge. It is just as suited to an impromptu afternoon drink as it is to the start of a celebratory evening. 

Outside, tables overlooking the Royal Mews set the scene for drinks in the sunshine, golden-hour cocktails and some particularly good people watching. On the right day, perhaps even a little royal watching too. 

At the heart of the partnership is a new Espresso Martini selection made with illy Classico espresso. The classic brings together Ketel One vodka, Kahlúa and maple syrup, with The Leopard Bar’s signature leopard print across the crema. Vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel and Baileys each offer a different take, while the alcohol-free Velvet Espresso gives everyone a way to join in.

It is a cocktail born in London, made with a coffee brand connected to its earliest days, now served in one of The Rubens’ most distinctive bars. 

And if it happens to put a little extra energy into the rest of your afternoon or evening, all the better. 

Launching on 1st October 2026 in recognition of International Coffee Day, the new Espresso Martini menu with illy will be served at The Leopard Bar at The Rubens at the Palace from Tuesday to Saturday, 12pm to 8pm. Make a reservation here or join us as a walk-in for your next coffee-meets-cocktail moment.