A Buffalo Wild Wings bartender whipped up a fancy espresso martini for a customer at the Charlotte, N.C., restaurant. However, viewers insisted that the cocktail isn’t an espresso martini after all.
In a video with over 277,000 views, TikToker Lilly (@lillydabarbie) sprays a swirl of whipped cream on top of a dark brown drink in a martini glass.
On-screen text reads, “POV: You ordered an espresso martini at Buffalo Wild Wings.”
While the TikToker grins on screen as she finishes the drink, she quickly realized that the comments “didn’t pass the vibe check.”
Is There A Right Way To Make An Espresso Martini?
A classic espresso martini contains vodka, chilled espresso, and a few coffee beans. Customers can order the drink black or creamy, with the option to add Kahula or creamer. For added sweetness, some bartenders may add simple syrup to the mixture.
On the r/bartenders subreddit, many users hold strong opinions on the “right” way to make the classic bar drink.
“In my experience, people want an espresso martini when they order an espresso martini. I don’t understand this desire to change a classic drink,” one writes. “I am constantly having to remake another one of my bartender’s espresso martinis because she insists on using vanilla vodka even when it’s not called for.”
“Biggest tip I can share is to create multiple versions. We’ve done a crushed candy cane rim at Christmas, a pumpkin spice one in the fall. They’re all good, and our sales tripled when we added versions,” another suggests as a way to accommodate different tastes without changing the drink.
What Did Viewers Think Of The Buffalo Wild Wings Espresso Martini?
In the comments, viewers slam the whip cream-topped drink, insisting a “real” espresso martini doesn’t need the extra garnish.
“The way I would be so offended if this was the espresso martini I was presented with,” one remarked.
“Is the espresso martini in the room with us?” another asked sarcastically.
“So I get it, it’s Bdubs, but as a 25 year bartender and someone whos lactose intolerant, thats definitely not an espresso espresso martini,” a third wrote.
However, others pushed back at overly critical commenters, saying they shouldn’t expect a standard espresso martini from Buffalo Wild Wings.
“Y’all expect a boujee espresso martini at BWW is the problem here. Just order your vodka cranberry and tip me,” a bartender joked.
A second added, “My biggest pet peeve is like read the room bww is a beer and margarita joint like.”
“As someone who used to manage a BDubs, you all have to understand that the company makes the recipe. The bartender is just following the recipe,” another explained. “So if it’s not how you’d like your espresso martini, maybe go somewhere that will have a traditional one you like.”
@lillydabarbie Espresso martini at BWW🦬☕️ #fyp #espressomartini #buffalowildwings #bartender
BroBible reached out to Lillydabartender and to Buffalo Wild Wings via email for further comment.