Recipes 10 min read

Coffee Cocktails: 15 Best Coffee Drinks with Alcohol

Master the art of coffee cocktails with our complete guide. From classic espresso martinis to creative coffee liqueur drinks, discover recipes that blend caffeine and spirits perfectly.

Published on 7/3/2025

Coffee and alcohol—two of the world's favorite beverages—come together in perfect harmony through coffee cocktails. Whether you're hosting brunch, ending a dinner party, or exploring mixology at home, these caffeinated cocktails offer the best of both worlds. From the classic espresso martini to innovative cold brew creations, this guide features the most delicious coffee cocktails to elevate your drinking experience.

Essential Ingredients for Coffee Cocktails

Coffee Components

Espresso:

  • Use fresh, double shots
  • Cool to room temperature for cold drinks
  • Quality matters—bad espresso ruins cocktails

Cold Brew Concentrate:

  • Perfect for batch cocktails
  • Less acidic than hot coffee
  • Keeps for 2 weeks refrigerated

Coffee Liqueurs:

  • Kahlúa: Sweet, vanilla notes
  • Mr. Black: Bold, less sweet
  • Tia Maria: Jamaican rum base
  • Patron XO Cafe: Tequila-based

Spirits That Pair with Coffee

Spirit Flavor Profile Best Uses
Vodka Neutral, clean Espresso martinis, simple cocktails
Whiskey Warm, complex Irish coffee, old fashioned variations
Rum Sweet, tropical Tropical coffee drinks, tiki-style
Baileys Creamy, sweet Dessert cocktails, shots
Amaretto Almond, sweet Italian-style coffee drinks
Tequila Agave, bright Mexican coffee cocktails

Classic Coffee Cocktails

1. Espresso Martini

The modern classic that started the coffee cocktail renaissance.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
  • 1 oz fresh espresso
  • ½ oz simple syrup (optional)
  • 3 coffee beans for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Brew fresh espresso and let cool slightly
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker with ice
  3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds
  4. Double strain into chilled coupe glass
  5. Garnish with 3 coffee beans

Pro Tip: The key to perfect foam is fresh espresso and hard shaking

2. Irish Coffee

The warming classic perfect for cold evenings.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz Irish whiskey
  • 4 oz hot coffee
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • 1 oz heavy cream, lightly whipped

Instructions:

  1. Warm an Irish coffee mug with hot water
  2. Add whiskey and simple syrup
  3. Pour in hot coffee, leaving 1 inch space
  4. Float cream on top using back of spoon
  5. Serve immediately without stirring

3. White Russian

The Dude's favorite cocktail with a coffee twist.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz heavy cream

Instructions:

  1. Fill rocks glass with ice
  2. Add vodka and coffee liqueur
  3. Stir gently
  4. Float cream on top
  5. Serve with stirrer

Modern Coffee Cocktail Creations

4. Cold Brew Negroni

A caffeinated twist on the Italian classic.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 oz cold brew concentrate
  • Orange peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients in mixing glass with ice
  2. Stir for 30 seconds
  3. Strain over large ice cube
  4. Express orange peel and garnish

5. Maple Bourbon Coffee

Fall flavors meet coffee perfection.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • ½ oz maple syrup
  • 2 dashes chocolate bitters
  • Cold brew ice cubes

Instructions:

  1. Freeze cold brew in ice cube trays
  2. Combine ingredients in rocks glass
  3. Add cold brew ice cubes
  4. Stir gently and serve

6. Espresso Old Fashioned

The classic cocktail gets a coffee upgrade.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz rye whiskey
  • ½ oz coffee simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • ½ oz fresh espresso

Instructions:

  1. Make coffee simple syrup (1:1 sugar:espresso)
  2. Combine all ingredients with ice
  3. Stir for 45 seconds
  4. Strain over large ice cube
  5. Garnish with orange peel

Tropical Coffee Cocktails

7. Coconut Cold Brew Colada

Beach vibes meet coffee shop.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz coconut rum
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 2 oz cold brew
  • 1 oz coconut cream
  • ½ oz lime juice

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients with 1 cup ice
  2. Pour into hurricane glass
  3. Garnish with toasted coconut
  4. Add coffee beans and pineapple wedge

8. Coffee Mai Tai

Tiki meets coffeehouse.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz white rum
  • 1 oz dark rum
  • ½ oz coffee liqueur
  • ½ oz orgeat syrup
  • ½ oz lime juice
  • 1 oz cold brew

Instructions:

  1. Shake all ingredients with crushed ice
  2. Pour everything into double rocks glass
  3. Garnish with mint, lime wheel, coffee beans

Dessert Coffee Cocktails

9. Tiramisu Martini

Dessert in a glass.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz Baileys
  • ½ oz amaretto
  • ½ oz espresso
  • Cocoa powder
  • Ladyfinger cookie

Instructions:

  1. Rim glass with cocoa powder
  2. Shake all liquid ingredients with ice
  3. Strain into martini glass
  4. Dust with cocoa powder
  5. Garnish with mini ladyfinger

10. Affogato Martini

Italian dessert meets cocktail hour.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz vanilla vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz espresso
  • ½ oz amaretto
  • Scoop vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

  1. Place small scoop ice cream in coupe
  2. Shake other ingredients with ice
  3. Strain over ice cream
  4. Serve immediately with small spoon

Brunch Coffee Cocktails

11. Coffee Mimosa

Brunch favorite with a caffeine kick.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz cold brew concentrate
  • 1 oz orange liqueur
  • 3 oz prosecco
  • Orange twist

Instructions:

  1. Add cold brew and orange liqueur to flute
  2. Top with prosecco
  3. Garnish with orange twist

12. Bloody Mary Coffee

The ultimate hangover cure.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz vodka
  • 3 oz tomato juice
  • 1 oz cold brew
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • Worcestershire, hot sauce, spices

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in shaker
  2. Roll between shakers (don't shake)
  3. Pour over ice in highball glass
  4. Garnish elaborately

Shot & Shooter Recipes

13. B-52 Coffee Shot

Layered coffee indulgence.

Ingredients:

  • ½ oz coffee liqueur
  • ½ oz Baileys
  • ½ oz Grand Marnier

Instructions:

  1. Pour coffee liqueur into shot glass
  2. Layer Baileys using bar spoon
  3. Layer Grand Marnier on top
  4. Optional: light on fire before serving

14. Coffee Bomb Shot

Energy drink meets coffee cocktail.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ oz vodka
  • ¾ oz coffee liqueur
  • ½ oz fresh espresso
  • Energy drink for chasing

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients in shot glass
  2. Serve with small glass of energy drink
  3. Shoot and chase immediately

Seasonal Coffee Cocktails

15. Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini

Fall in a glass.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vanilla vodka
  • 1 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz espresso
  • ½ oz pumpkin spice syrup
  • Whipped cream
  • Pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

  1. Make pumpkin spice syrup
  2. Shake all ingredients except cream
  3. Strain into coupe glass
  4. Top with whipped cream
  5. Dust with pumpkin pie spice

Coffee Cocktail Techniques

Making Coffee Simple Syrup

  1. Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup hot espresso
  2. Stir until dissolved
  3. Cool and refrigerate up to 2 weeks

Cold Brew Ice Cubes

  1. Pour cold brew into ice trays
  2. Freeze overnight
  3. Use in cocktails to prevent dilution

Espresso Foam Tips

  • Use fresh espresso (within 30 seconds)
  • Shake extra hard for 20 seconds
  • Double strain for smooth foam
  • No ice in the espresso

Coffee Cocktail Garnishes

Classic Options:

  • 3 coffee beans (health, wealth, happiness)
  • Orange or lemon peel
  • Whipped cream
  • Cocoa powder dusting
  • Cinnamon stick

Creative Garnishes:

  • Espresso-soaked sugar cube
  • Chocolate-covered espresso bean
  • Torched marshmallow
  • Coffee ground rim
  • Dehydrated orange wheel

Serving Tips

Glassware Guide

  • Coupe/Martini: Espresso martinis, up drinks
  • Rocks Glass: Old fashioned variations
  • Irish Coffee Mug: Hot coffee cocktails
  • Highball: Long coffee drinks
  • Shot Glass: Layered shots

Temperature Matters

  • Chill glasses for cold cocktails
  • Warm mugs for hot drinks
  • Room temp espresso for cold drinks
  • Fresh hot coffee for Irish coffee

Pro Tip: The key to great coffee cocktails is balance. The coffee should complement, not overpower, the spirits. Start with quality ingredients and adjust sweetness to taste.

Quick Reference Guide

Best Coffee Liqueurs:

  1. Mr. Black (Australia) - Bold, less sweet
  2. Kahlúa (Mexico) - Classic, versatile
  3. St. George NOLA (USA) - Chicory notes
  4. Tia Maria (Jamaica) - Rum-based
  5. Galliano Ristretto (Italy) - Intense espresso

Coffee Cocktail Rules:

  • Fresh espresso > old espresso
  • Cold brew for batch cocktails
  • Quality spirits matter
  • Balance bitter/sweet/strong
  • Garnish thoughtfully

Whether you're a coffee lover discovering cocktails or a mixologist exploring coffee, these recipes offer endless possibilities for creative combinations. Start with the classics, then experiment with your own coffee cocktail creations!