Like it hot? Let’s take the classic Irish Coffee, and swap out its Irish whiskey for rum to get a Spanish Coffee, or cognac and amaretto for a Midnight Express. Toss in the whole kitchen sink, and you’ve got yourself an Architects and Kings! If you like this flavor profile but wish it was shaken and cold, give Otto’s Grotto a try.
The Espresso Martini is having a moment, but there’s plenty more to explore when it comes to fluffy, sweet, ice-cold espresso cocktails. The Espresso Mexicano brings tequila and amaro to the party; Café du Maine leans on vanilla and cognac, while the Stumptown Vanilla Flip keeps the vanilla and adds orange curaçao.
Coffee loves a bit of cream, and the White Russian‘s enduring legacy is proof. Try it with bourbon and coconut cream in The Rug, or tequila and horchata in a Café Arroz. If you like your coffee with a smoke, why not do a bit of Lite Treason? Add a little fizz for a Paralyzer – or a lot, for a Bourbon Lift.
Coffee works just as well with bracing, intense flavors; see how well it complements Campari in the Other Left or the Squeaky Wheel. Sour, tart cherries are an inspired partner for coffee, too – check out the Black Jack or the Improved Iced Coffee to see how versatile this combo can be.
Our absolute, hands-down favorite use for coffee is in tropical and tiki cocktails, where coffee rediscovers its roots paired with ingredients from the regions in which it grows. Mr. Bali Hai and the Bahama Mama are the parents of this genre, giving rise to modern favorites like the funky Five Knots, the herbaceous Sacrifice to the Gods or the bubbly Esquivel.
