'Espresso bomb' trend that's popping off this summer

Ask a group what their summer drink of choice is, and the odds are they’re not going to be unanimous in their decision.

Some are bound to gush about their old reliable cocktails, including crisp Aperol and sweet Hugo Spritzes, while others may go left-field and pick a ‘grey wine’ or maybe even a humble ready-to-drink can as their beverage of choice.

Those who prefer their hydration without alcohol may be tempted to tell you about a viral moment they’ve been trying out on their coffee machine.

The beverage, known as an ‘Espresso bomb’, is sweeping social media, and the jury seems to be obsessed.

“The best for summer,” one TikTok user recently raved.

Another said: “Tried this 10 years ago and just now trying to go viral.”

If you’re intrigued about the Espresso bomb, then we’ve got everything you need to know, including exactly how to turn the traditional drink into an alcoholic delight.

‘Espresso bomb’ ingredients

According to Robertson Buckhaven, drinks columnist for Metro and author of A Measure of Britain, a standard Espresso Bomb can be made with the following ingredients:

• Lightly roasted double espresso shot
• Salt
• One lemon wedge
• Tonic water
• Ice

Method

Brew a double espresso in a shot glass. Meanwhile, drop ice cubes into another glass and fill it halfway with tonic water.

Once the espresso has finished dripping, rub the bottom of the shot glass into some lemon and coat it in salt.

The final step is to lower your shot glass into the tonic water and ‘drop’ it in, just as you would with Jägermeister and Red Bull.

As documented by Sage Appliances on TikTok, the espresso will immediately activate with the bubbles, creating an indulgent foamy crema.

“If you don’t fancy the gimmicky shot glass, you can always pour the espresso over the tonic,” wrote Buckhaven.

“Either way, the tonic water provides a sugar spike and bubbles to settle your stomach, while the caffeine wakes you up, and the citrus and salt combination acts like electrolytes.”

Baristas at Thermoplan AG have also shared a handy YouTube tutorial for those who learn visually.

Espresso bomb divides online drinkers

TikTok users have been having their say on the viral summer drink, with one joking: “I feel like tequila might be a good addition to the tonic water as well.”

A second said: “Espresso tonic! so delicious. The places I've had them serve it like an iced coffee and no citrus.”

“It's amazing but works so much better with a good cold brew,” suggested someone else.

A fourth fan added: “Try espresso with Schweppes. Thank me later.”

Others aren’t as convinced, with one TikTok user typing: “Please stop all this nonsense. Why can’t an espresso just be an espresso?”

“I just can't stand tonic water so don't think it would be for me,” reported someone else.

A third said: “I would never disrespect my coffee like this.”

Add tequila to your Espresso Bomb

If you like the idea of turning your daily beverage into a spiked treat, then Diego Osorio, founder of premium tequila brand Lobos 1707, has you covered.

He has created the Espresso Bomb Martini, made with sparkling water instead of tonic, and tequila poured into a highball glass.

Instead of lemon, Osorio told Esquire that you should rub the bottom of the shot glass with an orange slice and salt.

Fill the shot glass with Mr Black Coffee Liqueur and espresso. Drop it into the highball and enjoy.

“I knew that Lobos would taste great with coffee in this drink,” he told Esquire. “It's very fresh and summer forward, and the Reposado has that peppery, rounder and softer finish with the sherry.

“It balances really well with the coffee.”

Other viral drink trends to try

If the Espresso Bomb or Espresso Bomb Martini don’t fit the bill, then there are some other drinks you can pick up on the high street right now which you may prefer.

Greggs recently launched its next matcha flavour: Iced Blueberry, alongside a Wimbledon-inspired strawberries and cream muffin.

Excitingly, new Greggs app users can get the Iced Blueberry Matcha for free if they sign up.

For those who like a little bit of fizz, Mountain Dew Baja Blast has debuted at Taco Bells across Britain for the first time.

The United States staple is here for a good time, not a long time, and is already whipping fans into a frenzy.

And Starbucks has launched its moreish mid-summer menu, featuring Caramelised Banana.

Customers who are enrolled on Starbucks Rewards can now grab a Caramelised Banana Velvet Latte, Matcha, Iced Latte, and Oat Shaken Espresso.

Anyone who doesn’t have the app can grab from 2 July.