☕😘 That’s that me, espresso (martini)

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Our favorite March holiday is almost here! No … not St. Paddy’s Day. National Espresso Martini Day on March 15.

For this month’s B-Side Hotline, we rounded up Boston’s best espresso martinis featuring recs from us, local experts, and YOU, our wonderful, picky readers:

☕ Bricco, North End. Any cocktail sold by the bottle has gotta be good (not to mention over 100,000 units a year). And B-Siders agree: 24% of readers say Bricco’s espresso martini is the best in town, with its blend of coffee, vanilla, hazelnut, and almond liquors, plus a cocoa-sugar rim. Bonus: You can make the recipe at home.

🍸 Caffè Paradiso, North End. Of the many, many recs we got, Caffé Paradiso’s seven made it the clear winner. B-Siders like the cozy, Italian-cafe atmosphere as much as their traditional espresso martini made with vodka, coffee liquor, bailey’s, and espresso. Pro tip: The pistachio martini with a scoop of gelato is apparently just as good.

🤎 Mai, Seaport. Poser alert! Espresso martinis generally aren’t in my rotation given that caffeine after 4 p.m. = me not falling asleep till 3 a.m. My buzz-free alternative: Mai’s boozy French drinking chocolate cocktail filled with chocolate whiskey and topped with a fluffy heap of whipped cream and a crispy croissant chip. Magnifique! FWIW, it kinda looks like an espresso martini, so you won’t feel left out. <3

🍫 Bar Lunette, Coolidge Corner. My ideal espresso martini is basically a dessert, which is why Bar Lunette’s Nutella-forward take is my No. 1. The house blend of Nutella and vodka makes the base extra rich, and the Irish creme cold foam adds a dose of sweetness to balance the bitter coffee. Plus, it’s so chic in there!

This month’s expert is Katelyn Umholtz, Boston.com’s food reporter who has written a LOT about Boston’s espresso martini scene, including the site’s official espresso martini guide.

🥥 Baleia, South End. Don’t come for me, Boston, but sometimes your favorite cocktail can be pedestrian. What I’m not bored of is the Mazagran Martini, Baleia’s Portuguese riff on the espresso martini. There’s mint syrup and coconut rum instead of vodka; it has a dash of brightness thanks to citrus bitters. And don’t worry, purists, you’ll get your traditional notes from fresh-brewed espresso and a chocolate coffee liqueur.

😋 Caffé Vittoria, North End. That said, it can’t hurt to have a classic version of this coffee cocktail, especially when the space transports you back in time (and to Italy), as Caffe Vittoria does. I take every visitor to this century-old cafe, and we always order a round of espresso martinis that are made with fresh-brewed espresso, Absolut, Baileys, and Kahlua. Just make sure you bring cash.

🎓✨ Not quite ready for grad school, but not exactly crushing the job hunt either? The Behavioral Health Service Corps offers a free, structured gap-year experience working in mental health roles across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. You’ll earn a salary, graduate credits, and a scholarship toward future study at William James College — all while making a real impact in underserved communities. It’s free, it starts Fall 2026, and it might be exactly what your post-grad era needs. Register for the March 24 webinar at 1 p.m.

⛽ The U.S. war with Iran = sticker shock at the pump. Gas prices jumped up a whopping 40 cents(!) in Greater Boston over the last week following the start of the war. Monday’s average price hit $3.31 per gallon, compared to $2.91 on March 2, and the uptick is similar across the country. Fuel industry experts say it’s hard to predict whether prices will keep climbing, since it all depends on how long the conflict lasts (which is very much TBD). Keep tabs on local prices here.

☀️ Spring weather is here, baby! While Mother Nature has blessed us with two 60-degree days this week, it won’t be enough to get rid of our lingering snow, according to the Globe. Of course, the high temps and sunshine certainly won’t hurt, but the relatively dry air will def slow down the melting process. The good news: Even as temps drop and rain rolls in, highs should stay around 50 degrees through the weekend. So what we’re hearing is … shorts weather!

🫶 It’s time to show your block some love. ‘Cause sign-ups for Boston’s Love Your Block 2026 open today! Love Your Block is the city’s annual neighborhood cleanup initiative where volunteers gather across the city to clean and beautify their block. Here’s the deal: You sign up, grab tools provided by the city, and spend a few hours making your neighborhood shine. This year, it’s going down on April 24, 25, and May 2, depending on your hood. You can find all the deets here.

🚆 Summer train travel is gonna be WILD. Don’t take it from us: Amtrak is recommending passengers secure their summer tickets ASAP ahead of expected record-breaking travel this summer thanks to the World Cup and 250th Anniversary. Need an extra incentive? Their Big City Savings sale is on through March 13, offering up to 25% off tickets for travel between April 13 and June 5. Think: $18 from Boston to Providence, or $45 from Boston to NYC (but we def saw some trains to NYC for just $21). Bon voyage!

Hear us out: We think you should adopt a rat today. 

Earlier this month, Boston’s MSPCA-Angell removed 163(!) rats from a single house in Essex County, and 75 of them are currently looking for new homes. That’s 60% more rats than were adopted in all of 2025. 

Before you say no, these aren’t Allston rats we’re talking about. They’re white, domestic rats, which a shelter official describes as clean, smart, and social animals who like to spend time with their owners. Not to mention, they’re much cuter than wild rats. Just look at the little guys!

So … did we sell you? You can say hello and inquire about adoption at MSPCA locations in Boston, Methuen, and Salem.

— Written by Gia Orsino and Emily Schario

🐀 Thanks for reading! Trust us, these cuties would NEVER bite your foot. 

💜 Special shoutout to today’s sponsor, William James College, for supporting local journalism and creating meaningful pathways into careers that truly matter.

🦶 The results are in: 67% of readers say bare feet on an airplane is a no-go, but TBH, we’re more interested in the 8% of you who are cool with it. One reader said: “Literally was just on a plane where someone propped their feet up on my armrest.” Nightmare!

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