Coffee-Based Cocktail Recipes: Delicious Ways to Mix Things Up

Coffee isn't just for mornings anymore. Whether you're hosting a weekend brunch, planning a date night, or just looking to experiment with bold and balanced flavors, coffee-based cocktails offer the perfect fusion of energy and elegance. The natural complexity of coffee—its bitterness, acidity, and roasted sweetness—pairs beautifully with spirits like vodka, whiskey, rum, and liqueurs.

In this guide, we’re sharing our favorite coffee cocktail recipes, each crafted to highlight the character of premium blends from Ventigo Coffee and sister brands like SirJames Coffee, Moeno Coffee, and United Coffee Shop.

Classic Coffee Cocktails

☕ Espresso Martini

Bold, smooth, and elegant—perfect for evening indulgence.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz freshly brewed Ventigo Coffee espresso (chilled)

• 1.5 oz vodka

• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)

• Optional: 0.25 oz simple syrup

• Garnish: 3 coffee beans

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake hard for 15 seconds to create a creamy foam.

3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

4. Garnish with coffee beans.

   
   

🍸 Cold Brew Negroni

Bittersweet and complex—a new twist on the Italian classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cold brew concentrate (try Moeno Coffee for balance)

• 1 oz gin

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 1 oz Campari

• Orange peel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients with ice until chilled.

2. Strain into a rocks glass over ice.

3. Garnish with an expressed orange peel.

   
   

Refreshing Summer Coffee Cocktails

🥥 Iced Coffee Colada

Tropical, creamy, and irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz rum (white or coconut)

• 2 oz cold brew coffee

• 1 oz coconut milk or cream

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• Ice

• Shredded coconut or pineapple wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.

2. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.

3. Garnish and enjoy beach vibes anytime.

   
   

🍹 Coffee Mojito

A surprisingly zesty, refreshing twist on a classic.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz cooled SirJames Coffee espresso or cold brew

• 1.5 oz white rum

• 0.5 oz lime juice

• 0.5 oz simple syrup

• Fresh mint leaves

• Club soda

Instructions:

1. Muddle mint, lime, and syrup in a glass.

2. Add rum and coffee.

3. Fill with ice and top with soda.

4. Stir gently and garnish with mint sprig.

   
   

Warm & Cozy Coffee Cocktails

🧉 Coffee Old Fashioned

Perfect for whiskey lovers who want a coffee kick.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz bourbon

• 0.5 oz coffee liqueur

• 1 oz cold brew concentrate (try bold-roasted United Coffee Shop)

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Orange peel

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients with ice.

2. Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube.

3. Garnish with an orange twist.

   
   

☕ Irish Coffee with a Twist

Classic, creamy, and warming—ideal for winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz hot brewed coffee

• 1.5 oz Irish whiskey

• 1 tsp brown sugar

• Lightly whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Warm your glass first with hot water.

2. Add whiskey and sugar, then pour in hot coffee.

3. Stir gently, then float whipped cream on top by pouring over a spoon.

   
   

Pro Tips for Coffee Cocktails

• Use fresh coffee: Always brew fresh espresso or cold brew from quality beans. Ventigo Coffee single-origin beans offer clean, complex notes perfect for cocktails.

• Balance is key: Coffee is bold, so adjust sweetness and acid to suit your taste.

• Temperature matters: Chill espresso for shaken drinks to avoid diluting with excess ice.

• Experiment: Try infusing spirits with coffee or using flavored beans from Moeno Coffee for a unique twist.