Top 5 Coffee Cocktails — Discover the Magic

The five best coffee cocktails to make at home are the Espresso Martini, Irish Coffee, Cold Brew Negroni, Coffee Old Fashioned, and Café Amaretto — each one balancing bold coffee with spirits. Here are the recipes, all better with fresh, high-quality beans.

Coffee cocktails have exploded over the last decade, blending the boldness of freshly brewed coffee with spirits for drinks that suit everything from brunch to a nightcap. Starting with freshly roasted Berk’s Beans makes every one of them taste better. Let’s dive in.

1. Espresso Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
• Simple syrup, to taste (optional)

Method:

1. Brew a shot of espresso for a rich, robust base.
2. In a shaker filled with ice, combine vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup if using.
3. Shake vigorously until well chilled — this creates the signature frothy top.
4. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
5. Garnish with three coffee beans.

The Espresso Martini is a perfect way to kick off an evening or impress guests. No espresso machine? See how to make espresso without one.

2. Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot brewed coffee
• 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
• 1–2 tsp sugar, to taste
• Lightly whipped cream, for topping

Method:

1. Brew a cup of hot, fresh coffee.
2. In a warm glass or mug, combine the coffee and sugar, stirring until dissolved.
3. Add the Irish whiskey and stir.
4. Float lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon to create a layer.
5. Serve hot and sip through the cream.

A timeless classic for cooler evenings — we’ve got a full Irish coffee guide and history if you want to go deeper.

3. Cold Brew Negroni

Ingredients:

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz cold brew coffee

Method:

1. In a mixing glass with ice, combine gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, and cold brew.
2. Stir until well chilled.
3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.

A sophisticated bitter-sweet twist on the classic — perfect for summer evenings. New to cold brew? Here’s how to make cold brew at home.

4. Coffee Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube (or 0.5 tsp simple syrup)
• Orange twist, for garnish

Method:

1. In an old-fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters and a splash of water until dissolved.
2. Add bourbon and coffee liqueur, then fill with ice.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Garnish with an orange twist for aroma.

A spirit-forward classic enriched by coffee’s depth — one for whiskey lovers.

5. Café Amaretto

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot brewed coffee
• 1 oz Amaretto liqueur
• Whipped cream, for topping (optional)
• Chocolate shavings or nutmeg, to garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Brew a cup of hot, fresh coffee.
2. In a heatproof glass, combine the coffee and Amaretto, stirring well.
3. Top with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate shavings or nutmeg if desired.

A sweet, comforting after-dinner treat — the almond notes harmonize beautifully with coffee.

Why the Beans Matter

When you’re crafting coffee cocktails, the quality of your coffee makes all the difference. Berk’s Beans is roasted to order in small batches in Concord, CA, so every cup — or cocktail — is bursting with fresh flavor, and you’re supporting a small local business while you’re at it. Shop fresh-roasted beans to make yours with the best possible brew.

Please enjoy responsibly.