Coffee has become one of our favorite cocktail ingredients. In honor of the mighty bean and its ability to add some extra buzz to booze, we’re celebrating with some out-of-the-box coffee cocktail recipes.
Coffee isn’t just for Irish coffees (although we love those too). It’s in fact a most wonderful ingredient for a multitude of cocktails – from sweet to spicy to bitter. Coffee pairs well with many spirits, and can be equally successfully used as the main component or just to provide a slight accent to a drink.
Here we’ve collected three of our current favorite coffee cocktails. Each with its own character and spirit base – note that we’ve recommended brands in these recipes, but feel free to explore with your favorite booze brand.
Mexican Café Cocktail
Coffee and tequila blanco comes together in a refreshing and just slightly sweet drink.
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
1 1/4 parts Illy canned sweetened coffee
1 ½ parts Tres Agaves Blanco Tequila
1/4 part Coffee Herring
Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake and strain in to a glass coffee mug and garnish with orange slice.
Maker’s 46 Latte
An after-dinner indulgence with dessert or brunch accompaniment with pastries. The vanilla vodka pairs well with the natural vanilla notes in the Maker’s 46 Bourbon, and the rich espresso flavor is a perfect match for its smoky undertones.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 Part Makers 46 Bourbon
2 tablespoons fresh finely ground espresso
4 parts spring water
3 parts + 1 ounce organic whole milk
½ cup ice cubes
½ part vanilla vodka
1 rock candy swizzle stick
Fresh ground nutmeg
Instructions
Prepare espresso in stove top espresso maker.
Bring 3 parts milk in a small saucepan or Turkish coffee pot to boil.
Mix espresso and milk in coffee mug. A
dd Maker’s 46 Bourbon.
Make the vanilla vodka foam: Add vanilla vodka and 1 part milk to small shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until frothy.
Pour foam over espresso milk mixture.
Add swizzle stick and pinch of nutmeg.
Stir and enjoy.
Notes
**A Note from the Chef: Gary recommends this as an after-dinner indulgence with dessert or brunch accompaniment with pastries. The vanilla vodka pairs well with the natural vanilla notes in the Maker’s 46 Bourbon, and the rich espresso flavor is a perfect match for its smoky undertones.
Hot Coffee Cocoa-Nut Cocktail
A vibrant hot alternative to your regular Irish coffee, with notes of mint and coconut.
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 ½ parts Sugar Island Coconut Rum
1/4 part white crème de menthe
2 1/4 parts milk hot chocolate
1 part brewed coffee
Instructions
Stir all ingredients while hot. Top with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
