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Add a buzz to your drinks with these fun coffee cocktails! From classic favorites to unique twists, these alcoholic coffee drinks will take your cocktail game to the next level.
Are you a coffee lover? Here’s the way to keep drinking your favorite morning beverage in the evenings, too: coffee cocktails! The way these drinks combine bittersweet coffee and sweet liqueur will have you hooked. Enjoy them as an afternoon pick-me-up or even as dessert!
As cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library, here are our top ways to enjoy coffee as a cocktail. Some drinks use brewed coffee, others use coffee liqueur like Kahlua. If you love coffee, we promise you’ll love these coffee cocktails even more!
And now…the top coffee cocktails & alcoholic drinks!
Coffee lovers, here’s the coffee cocktail for you: the Espresso Martini. Bittersweet coffee pairs perfectly with the rich sweetness of Kahlua. Add vodka and the trio makes a full-flavored sophisticated drink that tastes like much more than the sum of its parts.
Here’s a coffee cocktail that takes 2 minutes to make and hits the spot in any season: the White Russian! This alcoholic coffee drink mixes vodka with coffee liqueur and cream in a decadently creamy, searingly sweet beverage. You may know it from the 1990’s movie The Big Lebowski, but this drink is a classic that's been around since the 1950’s.
Love booze in your coffee? Try Irish coffee! There’s nothing more soul warming than that classic combination of bitter coffee, buttery whisky and frothy whipped cream. There are infinite variations on the spiked coffee theme, like Mexican Coffee or Baileys Coffee.
This coffee cocktail has an irresistible creamy, chocolaty flavor: the Bushwacker! It's a mashup of a chocolate milkshake and piña colada, lusciously smooth with notes of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. It’s perfect for sipping poolside or as a dessert drink any time you’re dreaming of sun.
Coffee lovers, here’s your ideal cocktail: the Espresso Margarita! It’s not often that coffee meets tequila but when it does, you’re in for a treat. This spin on the Espresso Martini combines tequila with Kahlua, orange liqueur, and espresso for a rich, bittersweet flavor.
Try this refreshing twist on a classic cocktail: the frozen espresso martini! This easy recipe blends 4 ingredients into a creamy, frosty puree with rich coffee undertones. It's a coffee cocktail that hits the spot in any season!
Does Kahlua go in coffee? Turns out, this sweet coffee-flavored liqueur is at it’s best in a cup of joe. Add it to morning coffee for a brunch pick-me-up, or serve it as a dessert drink topped with whipped cream like the popular Irish coffee. Add a hint of cream or just serve it straight up: it’s delicious whatever variation you choose.
This modern spin on the Manhattan stars bourbon paired with Tia Maria, a coffee liqueur, instead of the standard sweet vermouth. You'll get sweet vanilla and oak notes as you start the sip, with a finish of lingering bittersweet coffee. Substitute Kahlua if you don't have Tia Maria.
Try the simple and bold Carajillo! This coffee cocktail is popular in Spain and Latin America, and it's most famous in Mexico where you’ll find it made with Licor 43. One sip and you’ll taste sweet vanilla, chocolate and citrus notes from the Licor and the bitter, rich notes of the coffee.
Spanish coffee is actually an American spin on a Spanish concept of spiked coffee (carajillo). It’s got a caramelized sugar rim and is spiked with Kahlua, rum, and orange liqueur, topped with hand-whipped fluffy whipped cream! The burnt caramel, citrus, bitter coffee and sweet cream all combine into a symphony of flavor.
Here's a classic coffee cocktail from the 1950’s that makes a great after-dinner drink or afternoon pick-me-up. The Black Russian has just 2 ingredients and almost tastes like a dessert. You might know its more popular cream-filled relative, the White Russian. But this one is the original.
Calling all coffee lovers! Here’s the caffeinated coffee cocktail for you: the coffee martini! It’s smooth, frothy and creamy: and the best part? A crunchy coffee bean rim. Watch out: these go down easy! Each sip is a burst of flavor, pairing bitter coffee with sweet vanilla, creamy chocolate and the fruity finish of Irish whiskey.
This Mexican Coffee is a spin on the classic Irish coffee with Kahlua, tequila, and cinnamon, topped off with a cloud of fluffy whipped cream. Easy to make with just a few simple ingredients, this coffee cocktail is sure to be a favorite!
Ready for a coffee cocktail that’s part drink, part dessert, and totally irresistible? Try Amaretto Coffee! It’s one of those flavor combinations that tastes like more than the sum of its parts. The amaretto brings a nuttiness and spice to the coffee that’s hard to quantify in words. Topped with frothy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, it’s truly to die for.
Adding a splash of whiskey-flavored creamy Baileys liqueur is absolutely what a cup of hot coffee needs. Float a fluffy pile of homemade whipped cream on top, and it’s a lusciously creamy coffee cocktail that will warm your soul.
More coffee drinks
Coffee is ideal any time of the day, in our minds! Outside of coffee cocktails, here are some of our favorite coffee recipes for morning, noon and night. (Well, maybe late afternoon…)
- Try our best iced coffee or Chemex iced coffee.
- Mix up cold brew coffee: simple to make in just a few minutes of hands on time.
- Make our best pour over coffee.
- Try all of our coffee drinks and espresso drinks!
Coffee Cocktails: Espresso Martini & More!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
The Espresso Martini is a modern classic cocktail made with espresso, Kahlua, and vodka! It’s ideal as a pick-me-up or after dinner drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka*
- ¾ ounce Kahlua or coffee liqueur
- 1 ounce warm espresso or strong coffee
- Coffee beans, for the garnish
Instructions
- Add the vodka, Kahula and espresso to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake vigorously until cold.
- Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan