Blogs & Inspiration
The Expert Guide To Coffee Cocktails
Enchant coffee enthusiasts with a diverse tapestry of coffee-inspired cocktails and expand your horizons beyond the classic espresso martini.
Author: Espresso Martini Society
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Although coffee was discovered a good 900 years ago in Ethiopia, the first widely recognized coffee cocktail didn’t come into being until the 1940s. The story goes that a junior chef named Joe Sheridan, who was working at an airbase on the west coast of Ireland, was tasked with preparing food and drinks to warm up stranded passengers on a stormy, winter’s night. He brewed dark, rich coffee, added some Irish Whiskey, a little sugar and topped it with freshly whipped cream, and the Irish Coffee was born. Of course, the combination of coffee and alcohol had undoubtedly occurred well before this delightful little tale, but the end product was arguably the first globally recognized recipe of its kind.
INNOVATIVE COFFEE COCKTAILS
Coffee and alcohol are a perfect pair in cocktails. When you use your imagination, there’s no end to the number of coffee beverages that are possible. Making coffee cocktails is similar to cooking: be creative, expand on the recipe and produce your own creations. Vodka’s neutrality makes it the ultimate coffee partner, but the likes of rum, tequila, whisky and bourbon can be just as good. Whisky and rum tend to work better with strong flavors like hazelnut, cinnamon and orange, and pair best with a strong, dark roast coffee. Gin and tequila work nicely with lighter, floral flavors such as berries, almond and mint, and a smoother coffee.
TOP TIPS FOR COFFEE COCKTAILS
- Never use more alcohol than coffee and stick to a one-to-one ratio as neither element should overpower the other.
- Choose a coffee carefully. If you’re working with powerful flavors or aiming to combine heavier chocolate, caramel or vanilla flavors, then choose a much darker roast.
- Communicate your coffee cocktails. If you’ve got a great selection of coffee cocktails, show them off. Designate a section of your menu and include descriptions with flavor notes and recommendations.
Bulleit Bourbon Pistachio Coffee
You'll go nuts for this creamy cafe! Bulleit Bourbon chilled with Coffee Liqueur, Heavy Cream and Pistachio Creme Liqueur is served straight up - exquisitely rich!
THE ESPRESSO MARTINI
A serious crowd pleaser. Made with vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso, this popular drink is usually served as an after-dinner or evening drink.
Key Takeaways
- The first widely recognized coffee cocktail was the Irish Coffee, created by a junior chef in the 1940s.
- Making coffee cocktails is similar to cooking: be creative, expand on the recipe and produce your own creations.
- Carefully pair spirits with coffee roasts. For example, whiskey and rum tend to work better with strong flavors like hazelnut, cinnamon and orange, and pair best with a strong, dark roast coffee.
- Stick to a one-to-one ratio so neither element overpowers the other.
Sign up for free and become a member of Diageo Bar Academy today and opt-in to receive our monthly newsletter to unlock the latest industry news, trends, and tips to keep your bar knowledge up to speed!