After a full day of conferencing, breakouts, coffee cups, and corporate small talk, your guests don’t want a dry handshake and a lukewarm Chardonnay. They want a moment. A reset. Something that says: you’ve arrived at the fun part.

Enter the espresso martini.

It’s crisp, smooth, bold, and just sweet enough to charm without trying too hard. But beyond the buzz and the beautiful coupe (or more likely, a classic martini glass), the espresso martini has evolved into something even more valuable at events: a branded experience.

Before we get to that, though, let’s talk origin story.

A brief history of a bold idea

The espresso martini was born in 1983 at Fred’s Club in Soho, London. The story goes like this: legendary bartender Dick Bradsell was approached by a model (lore says it was Kate Moss) who asked him for a drink that would “wake me up, and then f*** me up.”

What he handed her was a shaken blend of vodka, fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar syrup. It arrived in a martini glass, and it was unlike anything else on the menu.

Originally called the Vodka Espresso, it would eventually be rebranded as the Espresso Martini and become a global icon. Not a true martini in the classic sense but by then, it didn’t matter. The world had fallen in love with its smooth, caffeinated kick and elegant profile.

And that was before we started printing logos on it.

Branding on the foam

At Laine Too, we specialize in creating interactive, memorable experiences at events. And yes, that includes cocktails.

Our edible drink-printing service allows us to place your brand—your logo, monogram, tagline, even photos of your brilliant faces —directly on the foam of a freshly poured espresso martini. It’s tasteless, all-natural, and made live at the event in real time. Every drink becomes a moment, a surprise, a conversation starter.

When guests are handed a cocktail with your company’s mark floating perfectly on top, they don’t just take a sip. They take a photo. They ask questions. They connect.

It’s branding that doesn’t feel like branding.

What this looked like in real life

This week, we brought our drink printing to Tavern On Rush for RCP Advisors and With Intelligence, who hosted a happy hour after a long day of conference sessions.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with espresso martinis—branded with the RCP logo, poured fresh, and presented without the traditional garnish. No coffee beans this time. The logo took center stage, floating clearly against the velvet foam.

The reaction was instant. Conversations sparked. Phones came out. The mood shifted. It was a small touch that set the tone for the entire evening.

And that’s the magic. The espresso martini wakes people up. Laine Too’s branding makes sure they remember why.

A drink worth designing

The espresso martini isn’t a trend. It’s a signal. It says your event is thoughtful, intentional, and just indulgent enough to feel like a reward. Add custom branding, and it becomes a strategy. A seamless blend of hospitality, creativity, and marketing—served up in a single glass.

If your next corporate event could use a lift, a twist, or simply a smarter cocktail moment, we’d love to help you create it.

Because the best ideas don’t always come from a keynote stage. Sometimes, they arrive on a tray, smooth and cold, with your logo floating on top.

HUGE delicious thanks go out to the teams at Tavern on Rush, RCP Advisors, and With Intelligence.

To bring our drink and treat printing services to your Chicagoland event, email party@lainetoo.com or call the planning hotline at 312-600-8288.