Buzz and Booze: The Best Coffee Cocktails to Power Your Evenings
Whether you’re closing out a dinner party, kicking off a long night, or just want to blend your love for caffeine and cocktails, coffee-based drinks are the perfect answer. They offer a mix of smooth richness, a hint of bitterness, and just the right kick—both from the espresso and the alcohol.
Below are the most delicious, time-tested, and crowd-pleasing coffee cocktails, with recipes you can make at home.
☕️ 1. Espresso Martini
A modern classic that never goes out of style.
Ingredients:
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2 oz vodka
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1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Mr. Black)
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1 oz fresh espresso (cooled)
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Optional: ½ oz simple syrup for sweetness
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Garnish: 3 coffee beans
Instructions:
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Shake all ingredients with ice until well-chilled and frothy.
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Strain into a chilled martini glass.
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Garnish with coffee beans.
🥃 2. Irish Coffee
A warm, cozy classic perfect for cold nights or slow mornings (weekends only, please!).
Ingredients:
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1½ oz Irish whiskey
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1 tsp brown sugar
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4 oz hot brewed coffee
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Whipped cream for topping
Instructions:
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Combine whiskey and sugar in a warm mug.
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Pour in hot coffee and stir to dissolve sugar.
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Gently float whipped cream on top.
❄️ 3. Cold Brew Negroni
A caffeinated twist on the bitter Italian staple.
Ingredients:
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1 oz gin
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1 oz Campari
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1 oz cold brew concentrate
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Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
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Stir and strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
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Garnish with orange peel.
🍫 4. Mocha White Russian
Dessert and drink in one glass.
Ingredients:
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1½ oz vodka
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1 oz coffee liqueur
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1 oz chocolate liqueur
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1 oz milk or half-and-half
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Ice
Instructions:
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Add all ingredients to a rocks glass over ice.
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Stir gently to combine.
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Optional: Rim glass with cocoa powder and sugar.
🍦 5. Affogato Amaro (The Italian Nightcap)
The easiest cocktail you’ll ever make—and one of the most indulgent.
Ingredients:
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1 scoop vanilla gelato or ice cream
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1 oz amaro (like Averna or Montenegro)
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1 oz hot espresso
Instructions:
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Add gelato to a dessert bowl or rocks glass.
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Pour over the amaro and espresso.
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Eat immediately with a spoon.
🍸 6. Coffee Old Fashioned
A bold, bitter twist on the traditional.
Ingredients:
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2 oz bourbon
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½ oz coffee liqueur
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2 dashes Angostura bitters
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Ice and orange peel
Instructions:
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Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
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Stir and strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube.
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Garnish with orange peel.
Final Pour
Coffee cocktails are the perfect blend of comfort and edge, making them ideal for late-night hangouts, brunches with a kick, or stylish dinner party finishes. Whether you like it hot, cold, creamy, or bold—there’s a coffee cocktail here for you.
Cheers to staying sharp while sipping smooth.