Consider it officially the best of both worlds: Waking up – with a little booze, too. Coffee cocktails are the latest way to kick back after a day at the slopes, unwind after work, or prep for a night on the town with your friends. From hot coffee to cooler confections, coffee based cocktails are packed with flavor and that must-have coffee scent, all while offering up the best in liquor as well. Try some of the following recipes the next time you’re pouring your coffee – responsibly, of course.
White Russian
After Irish coffee, the White Russian is probably the next most popular coffee cocktail. Sip it at night, since it has more bite than your average coffee drink. You’ll need:
- 2 oz. vodka (we love Three Olives)
- 1 oz. Kahlua
- 1 oz. cream
- 1/2 oz. your favorite fresh-brewed coffee, cooled
- Ice cubes
Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously, pouring into a glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and enjoy.
Black Forest
Want to take your coffee cocktail to the next level? Turn it into an elegant nighttime drink by mixing up a caramel Black Forest cocktail to enjoy with friends or with dessert after dinner. Here’s how:
- 2 oz. chilled coffee (hot- or cold-brewed)
- 1/4 oz. Bénédictine
- 1/4 oz. maraschino liqueur
- Ice cubes
Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously. Then, pour the mixture through a strainer and into a fluted glass without any garnish. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Margarita
It’s the perfect autumn drink – the pumpkin spice latte. But creating a pumpkin spice margarita adds a twist on the old seasonal favorite and helps warm up the drink a little more. Enjoy it while you read a book or spend a lazy afternoon with friends. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ¼ c. tequila
- ½ c. cream
- 2 tbsp. pumpkin spice syrup (you can find this at grocery and specialty stores, as well as coffee shops)
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1½ c. hot coffee
Pour in the first seven ingredients into a mug and mix well. Add the coffee, and then add a garnish of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.
Espresso Noir
Consider it an elegant version of your favorite pick-me up: With the addition of Grey Goose, the Espresso Noir maintains a signature kick with a sweet finish that is best sipped as a late-night cocktail, rather than a midday treat. Here’s how:
- 1¼ oz. Grey Goose Cherry Noir
- ¾ oz. Disaronno
- 1 oz. espresso
- Dash of simple syrup
- Dash of cream
Stir all the ingredients together and allow cream to foam and rise to the top. Sprinkle with a few coffee beans for a little extra garnish and enjoy warm.
Raspberry Truffle
Looking for a drink to enjoy with your girlfriends? This coffee cocktail is luxurious and a little sweet for a more feminine take on the drink. Perfect as a way to kick off your next girl’s night out, here’s how to mix one up for yourself and your friends:
- 1 oz. Blue Ice Vodka
- ¾ oz. coffee liqueur
- ¾ oz. raspberry liqueur
Gently mix all the ingredients together and pour into tall flutes. Finish the drink off with a dollop of whipped cream and a few chocolate shavings.
Coffee Paradise
Reminiscent of warm weather and sunshine, the addition of spiced run to your coffee is an unexpected and tropical twist. Mix one of these sweet treats up the next time you’re craving the beach – or you just want to listen to some Marley.
- 6 oz. coffee (warm or cooled)
- 1 oz. spiced rum
- 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps
- Splash of cream
- Sprinkle of sugar
Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake well – you’ll need to adjust the amount of sugar and cream that you prefer. Pour into a glass and finish with a splash of cream and a little sprinkle of granulated sugar and enjoy.
Coffee based cocktails are a fun way to enjoy the pick-me-up of coffee with a decidedly nighttime twist. Adding garnishes also helps create a more elegant drink, perfect as a way to kick off your night – or keep it going.