10 Tasty, Trending Coffee Cocktails to Enjoy as You Close Out the Year
Coffee and alcohol. Combining these two adult classics, mixing the morning pick-me-up with an evening wind-down, what could be more enjoyable?
Practically speaking, the bitterness of coffee is cut considerably with the addition of alcohol, then the bite of alcohol is often tamed with the addition of coffee, resulting in a pair that proves creamy, smooth, and delicious.
Truly, this union just makes sense!
However, while the notion of a coffee cocktail has been around for more than a hundred years, with each passing year connoisseurs get more and more creative when concocting each martini, shot, mug, and high ball.
A bit of digging on the internet can actually unveil a treasure trove of these tasty, trending treats, and here we decided to do the digging for you, compiling a list of the most delicious, caffeinated, boozy, creamy, smooth, sweet, and delightful coffee cocktails of the year.
So, grab your cocktail shaker, begin brewing, and prepare to wow your tastebuds with these ten delicious trending coffee cocktail options for you to make on a quiet, relaxing evening or for your next gathering with friends and family this holiday season and beyond!
The Coffee And Alcohol Combo
Coffee cocktails are simply alcoholic beverages that incorporate the use of coffee in their making.
When you break down these two delicious components though, science explains each like this:
- Coffee contains caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can give you a boost of energy, making you feel more alert.
- Alcohol is a depressant, which can make you feel sleepy or less alert.
When you combine coffee (caffeine) and alcohol the mixture can seem to cause a canceling out, here where the stimulant can override the effects of the depressant.
In other words, the benefit of a coffee cocktail, other than the delicious flavor, lies in caffeine’s ability to dull the depressing effects of alcohol.
While this sounds pretty great, just be sure you don’t overdo it, as not feeling the full effect of alcohol could cause some to drink more than they usually would.
And, while the flavor component of a coffee cocktail actually involves a bit of science as well, we’ll look at this in the most practical way: why do the alcohols we’ve used in the recipes below pair well with coffee?
- Coffee and cream are a classic pair. That’s why alcoholic selections like Irish creams and horchatas work well in coffee cocktails.
- Vodka and vodka based liqueurs also pair well with coffee: espresso, freshly brewed, and cold brewed selections all combine effortlessly with this liquor, often dubbed as tasteless, therefore allowing the bold, rich flavors of the coffee to fully shine through.
- Kahlua is a popular coffee infused liqueur often used in coffee cocktails. And, there are even cold brew liqueurs on the market today, boasting a more bold coffee flavor. But, you can also make your own coffee liqueur. So, be sure to look out for a simple recipe to make your own Kahlua at home in the recipe selection below.
- Bourbon, rum, and dark liquors like whiskey and brandy all make great coffee cocktail additions, each providing a warming element. Many of these selections boast caramel, vanilla, even oak notes as well, all pairing perfectly with a great cup of joe. And, the creamy and often nutty flavors in brandy and whiskey obviously equally pair well with java.
- Nutty liqueurs like Frangelico and Amaretto are classic pairings for most any roast: light, medium, and dark. They even stand up well to bold espresso, combining to result in a near creamy texture.
- Almost any liqueur with caramel, chocolate, or vanilla flavorings pairs perfectly with coffee.
1- Whiskey Espresso Martini
Adding whiskey instead of vodka to the classic espresso martini is a new trend in coffee cocktails that’s been sweeping the internet.
As whiskey has a more pronounced grain and barrel flavor than vodka, this simple switch produces less than simple results, taking this timeless cocktail up a notch.
If you’d like, feel free to finish this cocktail off by topping with a few espresso beans for an added aesthetic flare.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Lifeboost Organic Espresso Coffee
- 1 ounce Kahlua
- ½ ounce Irish Whiskey
- ½ ounce caramel syrup
- ice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake to combine until the outside of the cocktail shaker begins to frost.
- Strain the contents into a martini glass, and enjoy!
2- Whipped Kentucky Coffee
Whether the Bluegrass State is your Old Kentucky Home or not, bourbon fans will love this fairly new trend that puts a southern twist on an Irish coffee.
Irish coffee incorporates the use of coffee, Irish whiskey, brown sugar, and heavy cream, but here you’ll switch out the whiskey for bourbon, preferably Kentucky bourbon.
Fans of this trend claim substituting bourbon for Irish whiskey results in a more sweet and smooth taste and mouthfeel.
And, while you don’t have to use Kentucky bourbon in this fabulous drink, many would agree this state distills the best, thus the name of this trending twist on an old classic.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh brewed Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
- 4 teaspoons cane sugar
- 1 ounce Kentucky bourbon
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Add sugar and bourbon to your favorite mug, and stir to combine.
- Brew coffee into the mug, topping the sweetened bourbon.
- Pour heavy cream over the back of a spoon to top the cocktail. (You can enjoy this cocktail as-is, or scale back the heavy cream, if desired.)
3- Floating Nitro Coffee
Nitro coffee has been garnering interest in recent years, so it’s no surprise that it’s made its way onto coffee cocktail menus.
Made by brewing coffee with cold or room temperature water prior to a nitrogen gas infusion, nitro coffee is one of the fastest growing items for coffee shops all across the globe.
Giving this popular drink a boozy twist, of course, here you’ll be using a nitro coffee stout, with an extra dose of coffee, naturally, to make a delicious coffee cocktail dessert. Yum!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce cold brewed Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- 4-6 ounces Samuel Adams Nitro Coffee Stout
- ¾ ounce Frangelico
- ¾ ounce Braulio (or your favorite amaro)
- Ice
- Ice cream
Instructions
- Add ice, cold brewed coffee, Frangelico, and Braulio (or amaro) to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into a pilsner glass.
- Top with Nitro Coffee Stout. (This should only fill the glass ¾ of the way, leaving room for ice cream.)
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and enjoy!
*If you’d like, you can sweeten things up a bit more by adding a drizzle of chocolate sauce, a bit of whipped cream, or sprinkles to your float.
4- The Blizzard Of 2022
With winter approaching, why not finish off 2022 with a blizzard!
This cocktail has been trending this year with a few variations both in its name and ingredient list, but for the most part, those enjoying the treat arrive at a snow-themed name due to its creamy taste and white hue.
The use of coconut milk and Absolut Elyx vodka allows the cocktail to glide across your taste buds in silky elegance, then the addition of Kahlua brings that creamy, coffee flavor we all crave.
Plan to serve this at any upcoming holiday gatherings to wow your party guests!
And, check out the homemade Kahlua recipe below if you’d like to make your own delicious coffee liqueur to have on hand for all your coffee cocktail needs!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Kahlua (for homemade version, see recipe below)
- 4 ounces Absolut Elyx vodka
- 5 ounces coconut milk
- Ice
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Add ice, coconut milk, vodka, and Kahlua to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain into a cocktail glass (serves 2).
- Top with freshly grated nutmeg, and enjoy!
Homemade Kahlua
- 2 ½ cups strongly brewed Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- 4 cups cane sugar
- 2 ¼ cups aged rum
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Stir sugar and hot coffee together until dissolved. Let cool completely, then add rum and vanilla. Store in an airtight container.
5- Bulldog’s Bow
Vodka, coffee liqueur, cream, and cola typically make up a Colorado Bulldog, but this year’s trend involves a few substitutes, even simplifying things a bit.
This 2022 Bulldog trend incorporates a tasty bourbon cream that combines smoothly with robust, dense espresso.
Be sure to garnish with a bit of ground espresso or a cinnamon stick for added flavor and flare.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Lifeboost Organic Espresso Coffee
- 4 ounces Nooku Bourbon Cream
- Ice
- Ground espresso and a cinnamon stick, for garnish
Instructions
- Add ice to an old fashioned glass, then pour in espresso and bourbon cream.
- Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Garnish with a bit of ground espresso and a cinnamon stick, if desired, and enjoy!
6- Blustery Brew
When the blustery winds blow cold this winter, enjoy this coffee cocktail under a blanket by the fire or gathered with friends and family, savoring notes of peppermint that bring fond memories of past holiday seasons and warm wishes for the days ahead.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces freshly brewed Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- 1 ½ ounces Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Whiskey
- ½ ounce peppermint syrup (see recipe below)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- A few drops liquid stevia
- Crushed candy cane, for garnish
Instructions
- Add heavy whipping cream and stevia to a small bowl. Whisk until heavy cream thickens. You don’t want it to stiffen into peaks, just whisk until it begins to thicken. (You can add the heavy cream and stevia to an electric frother and froth on the heat and froth setting here if you’d like.)
- Add coffee, whiskey, and peppermint syrup (recipe below) to a mug, and stir to combine.
- Top with thickened heavy cream and garnish with crushed candy cane, enjoy!
Peppermint Syrup
Crush one regular sized candy cane. Add to a small saucepan with one cup water and heat over medium heat, stirring continually, until the candy cane fully dissolves. Cool before using.
7- Bushwhacker
Resurging in popularity, this delicious cocktail feels more like a dessert than a drink.
Sweet, tasty, and creamy, some describe this somewhat classic drink as a cross between a milkshake and a mocha slushy!
And, don’t be intimidated at the thought of making your own coffee liqueur, not only is it super simple, it’s super delicious and budget friendly!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- 2 ounces whole milk (or milk of your choice)
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur (see recipe below)
- 1 ounce creme de cocoa
- 2 ounces dark rum
- ice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, and enjoy!
Homemade Kahlua (coffee liqueur)
- 2 ½ cups strongly brewed Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- 4 cups cane sugar
- 2 ¼ cups aged rum
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Stir sugar and hot coffee together until dissolved. Let cool completely, then add rum and vanilla. Store in an airtight container.
8- Funky Monkey
The addition of bananas to a cocktail can give a tropical flavor for some, while others find the creamy add-in to simply sweeten any boozy brew in a familiar and delicious way.
Here you’ll experience bold coffee flavors, incorporating java from two sources, alongside banana puree and chocolatey creme de cacao…heavenly!
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Lifeboost Medium Roast Coffee
- ½ ounce cold brew coffee liqueur
- ½ ounce creme de cocoa
- ¾ ounce The Perfect Puree: Banana Puree (see recipe below for making your own puree)
- Whipped cream, for topping
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mug, stir to combine.
- Top with whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!
*If you can’t find the banana puree listed in the recipe above, you can simply use banana baby food (pureed bananas). But, making your own puree is also quite simple.
To make your own banana puree, add 1 banana, 1 teaspoon cane sugar, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth and ready to use.
9- Frangelico Espresso
If you’re a fan of hazelnut coffee, you’ll love this nutty, smooth, and creamy coffee cocktail.
Frangelico is an Italian liqueur infused with creamy, rich hazelnut, but when combined with coffee, irish cream, and milk, the smooth factor is taken to new heights.
We’ve got two words for this creamy coffee cocktail trend: absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Lifeboost Organic Espresso Coffee
- 1 ounce Frangelico
- 1 ounce Irish Cream
- 2 ounces milk
- Ice
- Whipped cream, for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake until the outside of the shaker begins to frost.
- Strain over ice in a glass.
- Top with whipped cream, and enjoy!
10- The Nightcap
Give a twist to the classic gin and tonic with a substitute of rum, then add the concept of an espresso and tonic with a little maple syrup and citrus…and you’ve got a nightcap!
This coffee cocktail truly has everything: rich, bold espresso, sweet maple syrup, butterscotch and vanilla notes from the rum, alongside a touch of complexity from the bitters, and authentic citrus flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cold brewed Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
- 2 ounces Goslings Gold Seal Rum
- ½ ounce grade A maple syrup
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Tonic water, to top
- Orange peel, for garnish
- ice
Instructions
- Add cold brew, rum, maple syrup, orange zest, bitters, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake until well chilled, then strain over ice in a highball glass.
- Top with tonic water and stir gently.
- Garnish with an orange peel, and enjoy!
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-and-alcohol#side-effects
- https://dialupthecoffee.com/alcohol-pairings-for-your-coffee/
- https://www.thespruceeats.com/top-spirits-that-go-well-with-coffee-765886
- https://advancedmixology.com/blogs/art-of-mixology/best-coffee-cocktails
- https://www.americanvodka.com/vodka-faq/differences-between-vodka-and-whiskey#
- https://mtpak.coffee/exploring-the-rise-of-nitro-coffee/#
- https://www.themanual.com/food-and-drink/best-coffee-cocktails/
- https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/drinks/g1022/holiday-cocktails/
- https://veganinthefreezer.com/homemade-kahlua/
- https://www.acouplecooks.com/colorado-bulldog/
- https://www.lacademie.com/coffee-cocktails/
- https://www.absolutdrinks.com/en/drinks/with/banana-puree/
- https://restaurantclicks.com/best-coffee-cocktails/
- https://www.liquor.com/recipes/nightcap/