Sure, it’s cold out there, but these coffee cocktails will warm you right up. Some of these are old favorites of ours and others are new discoveries; some are boozy, and some are non, and all of them are super-delicious and will liven up any gathering. Think hut trip afternoons or coming in after snowshoeing, or sitting by the fire after dinner.
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Hot Nut
We discovered this at one of our favorite college-day haunts, Tony’s Tavern, in Athens, Ohio. There are a variety of approaches to this drink, and Tony’s is both the simplest and (in our opinion) best. We used to enjoy this hazelnut-flavored warmer during late winter nights while throwing darts at Tony’s.
Here’s what you need:
1oz Hot coffee
1oz Frangelico
Brew coffee by your favorite method. Pour coffee into a cup (demitasse cups are perfect), followed by Frangelico. Given the small serving size, it’s a great after-dinner drink if you’re serving several guests. Another bonus: you can augment a Hot Nut by adding Baileys, Kalua, and whip cream (over 5oz of coffee).
Espresso Martini
It’s class in a glass. Also stout, strong, and sweet.
Here’s what you need:
1oz Espresso
2oz Vodka
0.5oz Kahlua
0.5oz Simple syrup
3-4 Coffee beans
Cocktail shaker
Martini glasses
Ice
Brew your espresso and chill it in the fridge or freezer. Cold brew concentrate is a worthy expresso substitute, and any strong coffee brew can work (we’ve used Aeropress coffee). Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour quickly into martini glass (this ensures that the foam will rise to the top of the glass), and garnish with your coffee beans.
Spanish Coffee
If you’ve been south of the border, you may have had this popular after-dinner drink. The magical ingredient is Licor 43, a Spanish liquer said to have 43 secret ingredients. The yellow hued liquer has notes of orange blossom, vanilla, anise, and cinnamon.
Here’s what you’ll need:
5oz Hot coffee
1oz Licor 43
Whipped Cream
Cinnamon or cacao
Pour Licor 43 into a coffee cup, then add your hot coffee. Top with whipped cream and a bit of cinnamon and/or cacao powder. Easy as that. It has a custard-like taste, and it’s hard to have just one. Style points: Sugar the rim.
Coffee Shandy
Not into winter? Pretend it’s much warmer out with this non-alcoholic, coffee-infused take on a Shandy (typically a combination of lemonade and lager or pilsner). Trust us; it’s good!
Here’s what you’ll need:
4oz Lemonade
4oz Cold brew or chilled coffee or espresso
Pour lemonade over ice. Then pour your cold brew! Gain style points by ensuring the coffee floats atop the lemonade by pouring the coffee over the backside of a spoon. It’s a truly unique and refreshing beverage, especially amazing if you’re using a roast with citrusy notes.
Non-Alcoholic Irish Coffee
We all know and love Irish Coffee, and here’s a homemade version that everyone can enjoy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
⅔ C Coffee
2t Brown sugar
¼ t Rum extract
½ C heavy whipping cream
Cocoa powder (for garnish)
Pour hot coffee into a mug. Add brown sugar and rum extract. Stir until dissolved. Beat whipping cream in a bowl until it’s thick and airy. Pour over the back of a spoon into coffee and top with cocoa.
