Is It Just a Garnish?
When you sit at a bar and that velvety, dark Espresso Martini is placed before you, your eyes likely settle on the three coffee beans floating atop the foam. As a modern cocktail classic, why is it consistently served with this trio? Is it merely a bartender’s obsession, or a centuries-old Italian legacy
The Origin: “La Mosca” Inherited from Sambuca
The visual signature of the Espresso Martini dates back much further than 1980s London; it finds its roots in the street cafes of Italy. Italians traditionally serve Sambuca, an anise-flavored liqueur, with three coffee beans dropped inside, calling it “con la Mosca”—literally, “with the fly.”
In the 1980s, the legendary bartender Dick Bradsell, who famously invented the Espresso Martini, adapted this Italian aesthetic for his new creation, turning it into a modern hallmark.
The Hidden Meaning of the Three Beans
According to Italian tradition, those beans aren’t placed in your glass by chance. Each one represents a specific wish for the drinker:
- Health (Salute)
- Happiness (Felicità)
- Prosperity (Prosperità)
In this tradition, seeing only one or two beans in your glass is considered “incomplete luck.” Therefore, a true mixology expert is actually offering you their best wishes when they carefully place those three beans on the foam.
Why an Odd Number?
In numerology and Mediterranean culture, odd numbers—especially 3 and 7—are believed to bring good fortune. While even numbers are often seen as static and “closed,” odd numbers symbolize “an ongoing cycle” and abundance.
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