The espresso martini is having a moment right now, but what about other coffee-centric cocktails? As the temperature continue to drop and we inch towards the holiday season, consider swapping out your usual mixed drink for a coffee-focused cocktail, which not only feels oh-so-fitting for the coziest time of year, but also has the added benefit of offering a bit of a post-dinner drink pick-me-up. Plus, it’s so much more fun than a boring old cup of coffee. Not sure about where to start with an alcohol-and-coffee drink concoction? We’ve got you covered. Below, see the best coffee and espresso libations to try this season.
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The Best Coffee Cocktail Recipes
Baileys Chocolate Mocha Martini
Ingredients:
1.5 oz. Baileys Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur
.75 oz vodka
1 oz fresh espresso
.25 oz simple syrup
Espresso beans, for garnish
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake; fine strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with three espresso beans.
Glendalough Signature Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
2 tsp demerara sugar
4 oz freshly brewed coffee
2 oz Double Barrel Glendalough Irish Whiskey
Fresh heavy cream
Coffee beans, for garnish
Directions:
Pour freshly brewed coffee into an Irish coffee cup. Add sugar and whiskey. Stir all ingredients together; top with heavy cream. Garnish with coffee beans.
Espresso Mint-Tini
Courtesy Mr Black National Brand Ambassador Stephen Kurpinsky
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
.75 oz Tequila Don Julio Reposado
1 oz cold brew concentrate
.25 oz Giffard Menthe Pastille
.25 oz simple syrup
Mini candy cane, for garnish
Directions:
Build ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker; shake. Strain into a martini glass; garnish with candy cane.
Illy Iced (Cream) Coffee
Ingredients:
120 ml Illy Classico Ready To Drink Cold Brew
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Whipped cream
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions:
Put two scoops of vanilla ice cream into a glass. Add Illy cold brew. Top with fresh whipped cream and dust with unsweetened cocoa. Makes two servings.
Casa Chilled Coffee
Ingredients:
2 oz Casamigos Blanco Tequila or Casamigos Reposado Tequila
1.5 oz Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur
1 fresh brewed shot of espresso
.5 oz agave nectar
2 dashes orange bitters
Large orange peel, star anise and three coffee beans, for garnish
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients into a tin shaker. Add ice, shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with orange peel, star anise and coffee beans.
Tia Flat White Russian
Ingredients:
1 oz Tia Maria Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
1 oz milk of choice
1 oz Jamaican rum
.25 oz demerara sugar
1 oz espresso
Directions:
Pour the coffee liqueur, espresso, rum and sugar into a shaker. Fill with ice; shake. Strain the contents into a tumbler filled with ice. Gently pour milk on top.
Ilegal Carajillo
Ingredients:
1.5 oz Ilegal Mezcal Reposado
1.5 oz Licor 43
2 oz espresso (or very strong black coffee), cooled slightly
Orange peel, for garnish
Directions:
Add mezcal, Spanish liqueur and espresso to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled; strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist.
Isle of Skye Specialty Coffee
Courtesy Drambuie Ambassador Freddy May
Ingredients:
1/2 part Drambuie
2 parts hot strong coffee
1 tsp brown sugar
Cold heavy whipping cream
Chocolate and nutmeg, for garnish.
Directions:
Dissolve brown sugar into hot coffee with whiskey. Lightly whip the cold cream and float on top. Garnish with chocolate or nutmeg.
Martell Blue Swift Alexander
Ingredients:
2 parts Martell Blue Swift
1 part Kahlua
1/2 part crème de cacao
1/2 part fresh cream
Nutmeg and a cinnamon stick, for garnish
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker; shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh ground nutmeg and a cinnamon stick.
Coconut Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
1 oz RumHaven
1 oz white rum
2 oz espresso
.25 oz agave nectar
Coffee beans, for garnish
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Strain into a chilled couple glass; garnish with coffee beans.
Bond Fire S’Mores
Ingredients:
1 oz Dos Hombres Mezcal
1.5 oz Brother’s Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2 dashes angostura bitters
4 oz cold brew coffee
Toasted marshmallow, for garnish
Directions:
Measure all ingredients and pour into a mug. Add ice cubes and stir. Garnish with a toasted marshmallow.
Repo Espresso
Ingredients:
2 oz Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
1 oz espresso
1/2 oz Kahlua
1 dash angostura bitters
Directions:
Combine tequila, espresso and Kahlua in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake; strain into a coupe glass. Add a dash of angostura bitters.
