Cocktails

The Best Coffee Cocktails for Day and Night

Explore coffee cocktails beyond the classic espresso martini with new and inspired takes on mixed drinks we all know and love.

By 

Meyme Nakash

 |  August 31, 2024

The recent popularity of the espresso martini has translated into a resurgence of coffee cocktails. To meet the surging demand, mixologists all over the world have experimented with adding a shot or two of espresso, cold brew concentrate, or coffee liqueur to their concoctions. Some people drink coffee cocktails mainly for the jolt of caffeine, relying on them as a pick-me-up. Others relish how their bittersweet taste mingles with the flavor nuances of various spirits. No matter what school you belong to, our selection of coffee cocktails offers easy-to-make recipes that will help you channel your inner barista. These recipes include classic coffee cocktails and new ones you may have never tried before. Here are our favorite caffeinated mixed drinks to kick off the day or night. 

The Best Coffee Cocktails 

What Is a Coffee Cocktail?

Coffee cocktails can be made with a wide variety of spirits and liqueurs — although we wouldn’t use the most expensive liquors since coffee’s bitter taste can overwhelm their flavor nuances; instead, we’d opt for mid-tier blends. Since coffee is considered a digestif, these cocktails are wonderful to sip on after dinner. Coffee cocktails can be sweet or bitter, depending on the other ingredients. They can incorporate aromatic bitters, which offset any included milk and cream elements. If you’re someone who finds coffee’s bitterness overwhelming, cream liqueurs are a fabulous way to add sweetness to coffee cocktails. In particular, chocolate liqueur is a popular choice because it creates a delicious mocha flavor when mixed with coffee. In general, caffeinated beverages pair well with both dark and light spirits. Find out the best spirits for coffee cocktails below. 

What Liquor Is Good With Coffee?

• Whiskey: Whiskey’s warm flavors balance out coffee’s earthiness. Whiskey also complements coffee with hints of vanilla and oak from its aging process. 
• Cognac: Cognac is another dark spirit that bodes well with coffee. It adds depth of flavor to coffee cocktails with its spicy and fruity undertones. 
• Rum: Rum’s rich flavors of caramel and molasses make it a wonderful base for decadent coffee cocktails. Spiced rum is an especially good choice for seasonal coffee cocktails. 
• Vodka: Vodka is a neutral spirit that allows coffee’s complex flavors and aromas to shine. 
• Tequila: Tequila is distilled from the agave plant, making it a seamless way to add natural sweetness to coffee cocktails. 

The 15 Best Coffee Cocktail Recipes

Spiked Affogato

If you haven’t yet experienced the heaven that is an affogato, then you must try this recipe. Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, an adequate descriptor for this dessert, which comprises ice cream smothered in espresso. This recipe is a spiked version of the affogato, featuring vodka as well as Amaro and coffee liqueur. To make this luscious coffee cocktail, combine all the ingredients except for the vanilla ice cream in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Top it off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and garnish with shaved chocolate. 

Ingredients

1½ oz The Community Spirit Vodka
½ oz Amaro Liqueur
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz espresso
½ oz brown sugar syrup
1 scoop vanilla ice cream
Shaved chocolate for garnish

Irish Coffee 

One of the best whiskey cocktails, an Irish coffee incorporates freshly brewed coffee and heavy or whipped cream. Its rich and creamy texture also makes it one of the most comforting cocktails for fall and winter. What’s more, the Irish whiskey adds depth of flavor to the cocktail thanks to its deep notes of caramel and chocolate. First, pour freshly brewed coffee into a coffee mug. Second, add the demerara sugar and whiskey. Third, top it off with heavy or whipping cream and garnish with coffee beans. 

Ingredients

4 oz freshly brewed coffee
2 tsp demerara sugar
2 oz Glendalough Double Barrel Irish Whiskey
Heavy or whipped cream
Coffee beans for garnish 

Jamaican Coffee

Rum is a versatile spirit that is delicious in more than just tropical cocktails. The Jamaican Coffee is a testament to the wide range of rum cocktails that exist. It features spiced rum, a type of rum with notes of caramel and molasses on the palate and vanilla and baking spices on the nose. To make this comforting cocktail, preheat your mug by filling it with boiling water and putting it to the side while your coffee brews. Once your coffee is ready, empty the mug and add the coffee to it. Add the rum and stir gently until the liquid is combined. Then, layer on whipped cream on top of the coffee, using the back of a spoon. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. 

Ingredients

8 oz fresh brewed coffee
1½ oz Canerock Spiced Rum
Whipped cream
Nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon for garnish

Coconut Latte

Coconut is a wonderful addition to your morning coffee and coffee cocktails because it enhances the drink’s nutty undertones. This recipe incorporates coconut milk along with rum, in line with the cocktail’s tropical theme. To make the Coconut Latte, combine all the ingredients except for the coconut milk in a tall glass with ice. Top with the coconut milk and stir with a bar spoon until the liquid is combined. Garnish with toasted coconut. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Canerock Spiced Rum
¾ oz Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur
¾ oz fresh espresso
3 oz coconut milk
Toasted coconut for garnish

Spiked Iced Coffee 

This isn’t the ordinary iced coffee you grab on your way to work. It features a unique blend from Santa Teresa, one of the best rum brands, that’s finished in casks previously used to mature rum-based cold brew. This maturation process adds a depth of flavor from the Arabica coffee beans used to make the original blend. To make this rich cocktail, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with cocoa powder. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Santa Teresa Arabica Coffee Cask Finish Rum
1 tsp amaretto
½ oz cold brew
¼ oz simple syrup
½ oz evaporated milk
2 dashes cocoa bitters
Cocoa powder for garnish

Spiked Flat White

A flat white is steamed milk poured over a shot of espresso. This version incorporates vanilla-infused vodka that you can prepare easily at home. First, add the vanilla bean and vodka to a mixing glass. Second, cover the glass and let it sit at room temperature for 72 hours, stirring it occasionally. Lastly, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth-lined sieve to get your vanilla-infused vodka. For the cocktail, continue by adding the rest of the ingredients, except for the half-and-half, in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Layer on the half-and-half and garnish with coffee beans. 

Ingredients 

1½ oz vanilla-infused Broken Shed Vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz half-and-half
Coffee beans for garnish

Vanilla-infused vodka:
2 c vodka
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Dulce Noche

A classic espresso martini is typically made with vodka, but this version from Cantera Negra packs an extra punch with tequila. This recipe is so simple you can make it while half asleep. Just add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass. For an easy garnish, you can add a sprinkle of cinnamon. 

Ingredients

1 oz Cantera Negra Café Tequila
2 oz espresso
¼ oz sweet condensed milk
Cinnamon for garnish 

Carajillo

The Carajilo is a tequila cocktail that coffee lovers adore. It has Mexican roots and is made of espresso and Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur named for the 43 botanicals it contains. Licor 43 mainly imparts flavors of citrus and vanilla that nicely complement the warm notes of oak, caramel, and brown spices in Flecha Azul añejo tequila. To make a Carajilo, first combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Second, shake well until the mixture is combined. Third, strain into a cocktail glass with ice and garnish with three coffee beans. 

Ingredients

1 oz Flecha Azul Añejo Tequila
1 oz Licor 43
1½ oz espresso
Coffee beans for garnish

Negroni con Caffeina

A Negroni is a popular gin cocktail that’s made with Campari and sweet vermouth. This recipe from The Musket Room, a chic restaurant in New York City, leaves out gin completely. It contains Giffard Crème de Cacao, a French liqueur distilled from cocoa beans, and Cocchi di Torino sweet vermouth, which has spicy notes of ginger and rhubarb. To make this refined coffee cocktail, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with three coffee beans and a dehydrated orange slice.  

Ingredients

1 oz cold brew coffee
¼ oz Giffard Crème de Cacao
1 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari
Coffee beans and dehydrated orange slice for garnish 

Lavazza Coffee Mule 

This drink is a caffeinated spin on the iconic Moscow mule. The spiciness of the ginger ale mixed with the bitterness of coffee makes this a refreshing cocktail for the spring or summer. First, add the vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup to a copper mug filled with ice. Stir and then add the ginger ale and your choice of cold brew concentrate or espresso. Stir gently again and garnish with cucumber sticks, a lime wedge, and mint sprigs. 

Ingredients

3⅓ oz vodka
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp simple syrup
3⅓ oz ginger ale
1 oz cold brew concentrate or espresso
Cucumber sticks, lime wedge, and mint sprigs for garnish

Coffee Spritz 

There’s nothing like a refreshing spritz cocktail to cool you off on warmer days. Unlike most spritz recipes, this one doesn’t call for Prosecco or another type of sparkling wine. Instead, it contains orgeat syrup, which has a nutty and floral flavor, along with rum and soda water. It is very easy to make and doesn’t require a cocktail shaker. Just build the ingredients in a glass with ice and then stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with an orange twist. 

Ingredients

1½ oz Santa Teresa Arabica Coffee Cask Finish Rum
½ oz cold brew
¼ oz orgeat syrup
1 oz soda water 

Espresso White Russian

A White Russian is typically comprised of vodka, chocolate liqueur, and heavy cream. This recipe from L’Or incorporates the brand’s Colombia espresso, which has subtle notes of citrus. This smooth and delicious cocktail has a warm palate and tangy aftertaste. To prepare it, just add all the ingredients except for the heavy cream into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and float the heavy cream over it. 

Ingredients

1 L’OR Colombia Espresso capsule
1 oz vodka
¾ oz Kahlúa
½ oz heavy cream

Espresso Martini

The espresso martini was invented in the 1980s by legendary British-born bartender, Dick Bradsell. Today, it’s known as the perfect vodka cocktail to order if you have a long night ahead of you. The recipe behind this classic cocktail is simple, and you can play with the ingredient ratios to make it more caffeinated if you want an extra kick. If you’re not a fan of vodka, don’t fret — you can swap the spirit for a luxury tequila. To prepare this drink, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans. 

Ingredients

2 oz vodka
1 oz espresso
½ oz coffee liqueur
½ oz simple syrup
Coffee beans for garnish 

Chocolate Espresso Martini

If you like your coffee on the sweeter side, then the chocolate espresso martini is for you. It contains all the ingredients of a typical espresso martini along with coffee chocolate liqueur and a pinch of salt. The small amount of salt actually creates a big impact by suppressing the bitterness of the chocolate and coffee, allowing the sweetness of the liqueur to shine. To make this drink, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until the liquid is chilled and combined. Strain into a cocktail glass. 

Ingredients

1 oz Mozart Coffee Chocolate Liqueur
1 oz espresso
1½ oz vodka
Pinch of salt

Pumpkin-Spiced Martini

Some people wait all year for pumpkin-spiced latte season. This martini recipe will allow you to enjoy the sweet, comforting sip of the seasonal drink without having to wait for coffee shops to offer it. It makes for a wonderful post-dinner drink to cozy up fireside. First, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Second, shake well until a layer of foam floats at the top. Third, strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass and garnish with ground cinnamon.

Ingredients 

1 oz Absolut Vodka
1 oz Kahlúa
2 espresso shot
1 tsp pumpkin spice syrup
2 oz milk of choice
Ground cinnamon for garnish

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