Alcoholic Coffee Drinks: 8 Recipes to Knock Your Socks off With Your Slippers On!

Have you ever gazed at the sunset, pensively yearning for your morning caffeine, yet it’s evening? “Ah me, I can hardly wait for my morning coffee!” Well, I’m here to encourage you in this fantasy. Yes, your evening cocktail hour deserves an upgrade to an alcoholic coffee drinks hour!

To follow is not only a fascinating tour of the origins of coffee cocktails. I will also invite you to try several of my amazing coffee cocktail recipes. Believe me, they are sure to put a buzz in your tumbler!

Alcoholic Coffee Drinks: The Origin

Astonishingly, coffee liqueurs were first produced in 16th century France. It is no coincidence that the Kingdom of France, from the Renaissance to the Revolution, was a monarchy ruled by the House of Bourbon. In this divine epoch, the original coffee cocktail made its delicious debut. Sporting a rum base with coffee and vanilla flavorings, it was irresistible to the nobility.

Over the centuries, coffee liqueur has been concocted with a variety of additives and types of alcohol. Ingredients include roasted coffee beans, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla syrup, espresso and alcohol. On the whole, roasted coffee is steeped with sugar in alcohol to produce coffee liqueurs. A popular example is Kahlúa, produced in Mexico since 1936.

I’ll take you on a world tour as I elaborate below, with my favorite recipes for exotic alcoholic coffee drinks. Some use specific pre-made coffee liqueur and others create their own coffee liqueur. Which is to say, we’ll mix coffee with alcohol and sweeteners to produce our very own coffee liqueur.

Coffee Cocktails: The Desired Effect

Coffee and alcohol combine to present a poetic paradox – a stimulant paired with a depressant, offering a mellow buzz. Unsurprisingly, caffeine can mask any sleepy and subduing effects of alcohol. Even so, a coffee cocktail is not so much a recipe for alertness as it is a comforting evening beverage.

For me, as for most, this cozy and ingenious pairing is suited as an after-dinner treat. Please join me as I swap out my barista attire for a robe and slippers. I’ll show you what to do to perk up your traditional evening beverage, by making it into an amazing coffee cocktail!

To follow are a variety of amazing hot and cold alcoholic coffee drinks hailing from Mexico, Russia and beyond. Each of these begins with brewed coffee, whether from a drip coffee maker or a home espresso machine. You’ll find it convenient to have tequila, vodka, whiskey, bourbon and rum on hand. We’ll also add some indulgent flavors, including chocolate liqueur, amaretto and Irish cream.

Warning: some of the drinks featured on the list can be better described as alcohol with coffee rather than coffee with alcohol! Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the best boozy coffee drinks, complete with recipes.

Alcoholic Coffee Recipes

Coffee liqueur cocktails originated in France. They may be classified as a coffee cocktail as well as a digestif. As one may rightly assume, a digestif aids in the digestive process after a meal.

As I already mentioned, you should always begin with freshly brewed coffee. Often, I love to borrow spice combinations from my favorite fall coffee drinks. Have fun and be bold!

Bergeron (Mexican Coffee)

Not to be confused with Spanish coffee, the Mexican coffee cocktail made its debut in the 1980s. A restaurateur named Victor Bergeron is credited with creating this Mexican spin on Irish coffee. Adding a spicy kick of ground cloves and cinnamon is key!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Here’s how to make Mexican coffee:

Don Quixote (Spanish Coffee)

The Spanish coffee cocktail originated when Cuba was a Spanish province. Soldiers combined coffee with rum in an effort to feel more courageous. The result was what we now know as Spanish coffee. In Spanish, courage is coraje, and its diminutive form is corajillo.

Here are the ingredients for Spanish coffee:

Here’s what you’ll need to do to prepare this classic coffee cocktail:

Variation: The Carajillo is a small strong espresso to which you can add a dash of Licor 43 (a sweet Spanish liqueur), whiskey, cognac, Baileys or sweet liqueur of your choice. Carajillo is served over ice, as a digestif after meals. 

Dumas (Grand French Coffee)

As I mentioned, the alcoholic coffee drink first known as coffee liqueur originated with the French bourgeoisie. To follow was the French Revolution and more decadent rulers. Imagine Marie Antoinette and Louis XIX in their Rococo wigs and silk pumps, sipping on coffee cocktails. Believe me, I feel just as fancy sipping this cocktail in my robe and slippers!

Here’s what you’ll need to get fancy with yourself:

Here’s how to make this decadent alcoholic coffee drink:

Variation: Grand French Coffee is a drink made from Grand Marnier in lieu of cognac. It is typically prepared in a coffee mug with whipped cream and is commonly referred to as a cocktail.

Ulysses (Classic Irish Coffee)

It goes without saying that a whiskey coffee cocktail is popularly known as Classic Irish Coffee. Old world aficionados sometimes referred to this as Gaelic coffee. In the modern age, you and I know Irish Coffee as the brand Baileys Irish Cream or Sultan Special Coffee.

Rightfully, the Irish are prone to believing they first discovered Irish coffee. (Even if they were unassumingly riffing off of Spanish coffee.) The lucky Irishman Joe Sheridan created this delightful coffee cocktail in the winter of 1943.

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a Classic Irish Coffee:

Here’s how to make it:

Variation: Traditionally, Irish coffee is prepared with a teaspoon of brown sugar, 4 ounces (118 milliliters) of rich, hot coffee and whipped cream. Now, aren’t we the lucky ones?

Espresso Martini

I would be remiss not to mention my forays into the refreshing world of iced coffee. As you might already know, Italians are famous for their flavored ice and espresso. These traditions combine with Kahlúa to produce a pure delight: iced coffee cocktails. Look no further than your martini glass for a perfect iced coffee drink with alcohol!

This coffee cocktail includes espresso, but there’s nothing to say you can’t use a moka pot or an AeroPress to brew the shot. Still, if you’ve got an espresso machine or super automatic, all the better.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Here’s how to create this sophisticated cocktail:

Coffee Negroni

Cocktail aficionados have traced the origin of this iced delight to the Caffe Casoni in 1919 Florence. Purportedly, Count Camillo Negroni ordered his usual americano. Yet, in place of soda water, he requested gin. To follow, the Count’s family founded the Negroni DIstillery. Their featured product was a ready-made version of this novel cocktail, Antico Negroni 1919.

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare your own Coffee Negroni:

Here’s how to make a delicious Coffee Negroni:

Variation:Italian coffee bars serve “caffè freddo,” a straight espresso kept in a freezer and served as icy slush. Affogato (espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream) is also traditionally served, typically as a dessert.

Wolfgang (RüdesheimerKaffee)

Rudesheimer Kaffee is a classic cocktail developed in 1957 by a famous German TV chef. Prepared with sugar cubes and brandy, it is topped with whipped cream and chocolate!

Here’s what you’ll need for this outrageous treat:

Once you’ve got all your ingredients at the ready, here’s what you’ll need to do:

War and Peace (White Russian)

Surprisingly, this Russian cocktail was actually conceived of in Belgium. A barman by the name of Gustave Tops concocted the White Russian, honoring the ambassador to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta. And in case you were wondering, the Black Russian is a White Russian without the cream.

Here’s what you’ll need to take a sip back in time:

Here are the instructions for preparing the perfect White Russian:

Variation: Create a hot beverage by adding the vodka and milk to a cup of hot, black coffee!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it matters not to whom you credit the discovery of boozy coffee drinks. First discovered by the French bourgeoisie, alcoholic coffee drinks were taken to the limit by courageous Spanish soldiers in Cuba. And last, but perhaps the best-known, there’s a lucky concoction by an Irishman called Joe Sheridan.

For more amazing cold alcoholic coffee drinks, check out our cold brew cocktails recipes or this incredible Barraquito recipe.

Coffee cocktails are guaranteed to deliver equal parts of mellow comfort with a caffeine kick! Just remember not to overdo it, but if you have one too many, a strong cup of joe will help with the next morning’s hangover!

Alcoholic Coffee Drinks FAQ