Lauren Beck is the former editor of Dockwalk and was with the publication from 2006 to 2023. At 13, she left South Africa aboard a 34-foot sailing boat with her family and ended up in St. Maarten for six years. Before college, she worked as crew for a year, and then cut her journalistic teeth at Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies’ Home Journal online. She loves traveling, reading, tennis, and rooting for the Boston Red Sox.
Looking for a delicious treat? If you’re not a cocktail guru but love your fancy drinks, Dottie’s Espresso Martini may be the solution. Founded by 33-year-old Lauren Horne, Dottie’s Drinks was inspired in memory of Horne’s grandmother, Nanny Dot. “Her grand gestures of love were also coupled with wise words — she was always telling me to ‘go for it’ and to let nothing hold me back,” Horne says. “I’ve always had a dream to work for myself, to be my own #boss, and live by my own rules. She had a very strong work ethic and determination to succeed, which I always looked up to. Although she may be gone, she lives on through us.”
“Espresso Martini is one of my favorite cocktails; I just love how it makes you feel propped up in a bar with friends,” says Horne. After being disappointed with previous experiences that she felt tasted nothing like the authentic drink, “…Dottie’s was born! I’ve made it my mission to source specialty, fair-trade coffee to use as a base for the drink and have teamed this with only the finest ingredients and all-natural flavorings so you can enjoy a sip of luxury” wherever.
The premium cocktail in its bespoke, nitro-infused can is carefully designed to offer the “perfect foam-topped espresso martini with every pour.” Dottie’s Drinks’ coffee is roasted in East London by Union Hand-Roasted to create a “bar-quality” drink. The coffee is frothy with a dash of premium vodka and caramel. For the best foam results, tip the can upside down — do not shake! — and leave the can to breathe after opening for two to three minutes.
“Launching Dottie’s in a pandemic was never the plan,” Horne says, “but it’s been an amazing journey so far and I’m excited to see what 2021 will bring!” The product is currently only available in the UK but look for it to expand in 2021.
This article originally ran in the January 2021 issue of Dockwalk.