What Liquor Goes with Coffee? (10 Coffee Cocktail Recipes)

Since coffee was introduced to the West, people have been experimenting with ways to spruce up the brew to create new and intriguing beverages. Coffee and liquor have been combined for decades. 

Today, there are several ways to prepare boozy coffees, and the list of liquors that pair with the caffeinated brew is endless. 

In this read, we look at what liquor goes well with coffee and recommend 10 different coffee cocktails (with recipes) that are guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling. 

What Types of Liquor Work in Coffee?

Several types of liquor work with the dark, bitter notes of coffee. Whiskey and rum work well with hot coffee, and vodka or gin with cold brew coffee. 

The type of liquor you use with coffee depends on the type of drink you're making. If you want to add a splash to an after-dinner brew, dark liquors like whiskey, spiced rum, amaretto, brandy, or cognac work well. If you're making cold alcoholic coffee beverages, clear liquors work better — vodka, gin, white rum, or tequila. 

Here’s a list of liquors often used to make alcoholic coffee cocktails:

• Irish Whiskey
• Rum (dark or spiced)
• Brandy
• Vodka
• Cognac
• Tequila (Reposado or Añejo)
• Kahlúa (coffee liqueur)
• Baileys Irish Cream
• Amaretto (almond liqueur
• Frangelico (hazelnut liqueur)
• Tia Maria (coffee liqueur)
• Amaro (Italian herbal liqueur)
• Galliano (vanilla-flavored liqueur)
• Crème de Cacao (chocolate liqueur)

10 Alcoholic Coffee Drinks (With Recipes)

Interested in combining alcohol with coffee? Of course, you can simply add a splash of your favorite liquor to a cup of coffee. However, making a coffee cocktail provides more depth of flavor. 

Here are six coffee cocktail recipes to try at home:

1. Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is one of — if not the — most famous coffee cocktails on the planet. It blends the warmth of Irish whiskey with the rich darkness of black coffee. This cocktail combines brown sugar, coffee, and Irish whiskey. It’s topped with a layer of lightly whipped heavy cream. 

This is the ultimate wintertime drink. It’s sweet, warm, slightly bitter, and has a potent caffeine and alcohol kick. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
• 1–2 shots of Irish whiskey
• 1–2 teaspoons of brown sugar
• Heavy cream

How to make Irish coffee step-by-step:

1. Brew a cup of strong coffee — Using a French press, drip coffee maker, or pour-over, brew a cup of strong black coffee. The best coffee to use is arabica or an arabica and robusta blend. We recommend the Cafely DaNang Coffee (Arabica x Robusta) blend for Irish coffee. 
2. Prepare the cream — In a mixing bowl, add half a cup of heavy cream and whip until soft peaks form. The cream should be thick but pourable. 
3. Assemble the cocktail — In a heatproof serving glass, add one to two teaspoons of brown sugar and a shot or two of Irish whiskey. We recommend Jameson. Then, pour in the coffee, leaving room at the top of the glass.
4. Add the cream — Lightly pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it settles on top of the coffee, creating a layered effect. 
5. Serve and enjoy — Serve without stirring and drink while hot. The whiskey will filter up through the coffee and the cream down through the coffee. An Irish coffee should be sipped from the top rather than drunk through a straw. 

2. Espresso Martini

The espresso martini is another famous coffee cocktail. This sophisticated drink is served cold. It’s an energizing drink, ideal as a pick-me-up for after-dinner drinks. Espresso martini combines the bold, strong flavor of espresso with the smoothness of vodka and the sweetness of Kahlúa. 

It’s served in a martini glass with a layer of foam on top that’s often garnished with a few coffee beans. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1.5 shots of vodka (2 oz.)
• 1 small shot of Kahlúa (1 oz.)
• 1 shot espresso (1 oz.)
• Ice 

How to make espresso martini step-by-step:

1. Prepare the espresso — Brew a shot of espresso using arabica coffee. We recommend Cafely DaLat Coffee (100% Arabica) for an espresso martini. Leave the shot on the counter to cool slightly.
2. Cool the martini glass — Fill a martini glass with ice to cool. 
3. Mix the cocktail — In a cocktail shaker, add a large amount of ice before the vodka, Kahlúa, and espresso. Shake vigorously to combine and cool. 
4. Pour the cocktail — Remove the ice from the martini glass and pour the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer. 
5. Garnish and serve — Garnish with a few unground coffee beans, serve, and enjoy while ice-cold. 

3. Café Amaretto

Café amaretto is an Italian-inspired coffee cocktail that combines the sweet, nutty flavor of amaretto liqueur with the bold, dark flavor of Italian arabica coffee. Like an Irish coffee, this hot-brewed coffee cocktail is topped with whipped cream. 

Here’s how to make it: 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
• 1–2 shot of amaretto liqueur
• Heavy cream

How to make a Café Amaretto step-by-step:

1. Brew the coffee — Brew a strong cup of coffee, which is your favorite way. The best coffee for Café Amaretto is made using a French press, drip coffee maker, or an espresso machine (Americano).
2. Prepare the cream — In a mixing bowl, add half a cup of heavy cream and whip until stiff peaks are formed. Like an Irish coffee, the cream should be thick but pourable. 
3. Assemble the cocktail — To a heat-proof glass, add one to two shots of amaretto, followed by the coffee. Lightly stir before topping with the cream.
4. Serve and enjoy — Garnish with coffee beans or grounds (optional) and serve while hot. 

4. White Russian

A white Russian is a creamy coffee-flavored cocktail that combines vodka, coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa, and cream. This cocktail doesn’t contain “actual coffee.”

White Russian is easy to make and is ideal as a dessert drink after a meal. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients: 

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. Kahlúa (or alternative coffee liqueur)
• 1 oz. heavy cream
• Ice

How to make a white Russian step-by-step:

1. Prepare the glass — Fill a rocks glass with ice and allow it to cool. 
2. Combine the liquor — In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, and Kahlúa. Shake gently until cooled and combined. 
3. Pour the liquor — Through a mesh strainer, pour the liquor over the ice in the rocks glass. 
4. Add the cream — Gently pour the heavy cream over the back of a spoon so it settles on top of the liquor. 
5. Serve and Enjoy — Stir the cocktail if you prefer a blended white Russian or serve layered. Enjoy while cold.

5. Black Russian

A black Russian is a simple, strong, coffee-flavored cocktail that combines vodka and kahlúa (or another coffee liqueur). It’s the same as a white Russian but doesn’t contain cream. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. Kahlúa (or alternative coffee liqueur)
• Ice

How to make a black Russian step-by-step: 

1. Prepare the glass — Fill a rocks glass with ice and allow it to cool. 
2. Combine the liquor — In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, and Kahlúa. Shake gently until cooled and combined. 
3. Pour the liquor — Through a mesh strainer, pour the liquor over the ice in the rocks glass.
4. Serve and enjoy — Serve cold and enjoy immediately.

6. Baileys Coffee

Bailey's coffee combines the sweet creaminess of Bailey Irish Cream with strong, hot coffee. It’s a rich, sweet drink that’s perfect for an after-dinner treat or enjoying in front of a fire on a cold winter evening.

It’s similar to Irish coffee, but instead of the cream being separate, it’s combined with the coffee to make an indulgent creamy brew. Here’s how to make this simple cocktail:

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of hot brewed coffee
• 2 oz. Baileys Irish Cream 
• Whipped cream

How to make Bailey's coffee step-by-step: 

1. Brew the coffee — Brew a cup of strong coffee using arabica, robusta, or a blend such as Cafely SaiGon OG Coffee (Robusta x Arabica x Peaberry). Use your favorite brewing method; French press, drip filter, pour-over, and phin-filter brews work well for Bailey's coffee. 
2. Pour the Coffee — Fill a heat-proof glass or coffee mug three-quarters full with the coffee. 
3. Add the Baileys — Pour 2 oz. of Baileys Irish Cream into the coffee and stir to combine. 
4. Serve and enjoy — Top with whipped cream and garnish with coffee beans. Enjoy it while it's hot. 

7. Café Brulot

Café brulot is an alcoholic spiced coffee drink from New Orleans. This cocktail combines brandy, orange peel, cloves, cinnamon, and coffee, creating a strong caffeinated beverage that’s aromatic, flavorful, and potent. 

Traditionally flambéed, café brulot is a delicious and dramatic way to impress dinner guests at the end of a meal. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of strong black coffee
• 1 ½ oz. of brandy
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• One orange peel
• 2 cloves
• 1 stick of cinnamon

How to make café brulot step-by-step:

1. Brew the coffee — Brew a pot of coffee using a drip coffee maker or French press. 
2. Prepare the brandy blend — In a heat-resistant glass or mug combine the sugar, brandy, orange peel, cloves, and cinnamon. 
3. Light the fire — Ignite the brandy blend carefully. Leave to burn for a few seconds.
4. Extinguish the flame — Pour in the coffee to extinguish the flame and create the cocktail.
5. Serve and enjoy — Stir well, serve, and enjoy while piping hot. 

8. Grand French Coffee

The grand French coffee is an elegant and delicious cocktail that combines hot brewed coffee with Grand Marnier — an orange-flavored liqueur. This warm, citrusy drink is aromatic and indulgent yet refreshing and light. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coffee
• 1 ½ oz. Grand Marnier
• Heavy cream
• Zest of ½ an orange

How to make a grand French coffee:

1. Brew a cup of coffee — Using a French press, brew a cup of strong black coffee. We recommend a 100% arabica blend for a grand French coffee.
2. Prepare the cream — In a mixing bowl, add half a cup of cream and whip until soft peaks form. 
3. Make the cocktail — In a heat-resistant glass, add the Grand Marnier followed by the French press coffee — stir to combine. Leave room in the glass for cream. 
4. Add the cream — Gently pour the whipped cream over the back of a tablespoon so it settles on top of the drink. 
5. Garnish and serve — Add the zest of half an orange to the cream to garnish. Serve while hot and enjoy. 

9. Jamaican Coffee

Jamaican coffee combines spiced rum, Tia Maria, and hot coffee. It’s a rich drink with a strong alcoholic kick that, like many coffee cocktails, is served with a hefty dollop of whipped cream. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
• 1 oz. dark spiced rum
• 1 oz. Tia Maria
• Heavy cream 

How to make Jamaican coffee step-by-step:

1. Brew the coffee — Brew a strong black coffee using a drip coffee maker or French press. We recommend a 100% robusta blend for Jamaican coffee; our HaNoi robusta blend works perfectly.
2. Prepare the cream — Whip half a cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks are formed. 
3. Combine the liquids — In a heat-resistant glass, pour the rum, Tia Maria, and coffee, making sure to leave room for cream. Stir to combine.
4. Add the cream — Top with the whipped cream by gently pouring it over the back of a spoon to ensure it floats on top of the coffee.
5. Serve and enjoy — Garnish with coffee beans (optional) and consume while warm. 

10. Mexican Coffee Cocktail

Love tequila and strong Mexican coffee? You’ll love this Mexican coffee cocktail. This drink combines hot arabica coffee with tequila, Kahlúa, and cinnamon to create a spiced caffeinated brew with a kick. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup of freshly brewed arabica coffee
• 1 oz. tequila
• 1 oz. Kahlúa
• Ground cinnamon
• Heavy cream

How to make a Mexican coffee cocktail:

1. Brew the coffee — In a drip coffee maker, brew a strong black coffee with a pinch or two of ground cinnamon. The best coffee for this cocktail is Mexican arabica, but other high-quality arabica blends work as well. 
2. Prepare the cream — Whip half a cup of heavy cream until it forms a thick, pourable liquid. 
3. Prepare the cocktail — In a heat-resistant glass or mug, combine the tequila, Kahlúa, and coffee, leaving room for the cream. 
4. Add the cream — Gently pour the cream over the back of a tablespoon so it floats on top of the brew.
5. Serve and enjoy — Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy responsibly while hot. 

FAQs: Alcohol & Coffee: The Perfect Combo?

Want to learn more about the art of combining coffee and liquor?

Read the answers to the frequently asked questions below…

1. Who Invented Irish Coffee?

Joseph A. Sheridan invented the Irish coffee in the winter of 1943 at Foynes Port, county Limerick, Ireland. He presented the beverage to weary travelers from the United States, who then told tales of the brew back home — spreading the (now) iconic drink across the globe. 

2. What’s the Best Whiskey for Irish Coffee?

The best whiskey for Irish coffee should, of course, be Irish. 

Most agree that Jameson is the best Irish whiskey for the cocktail, but several others taste fantastic too. Such as:

• Tullamore DEW
• Dingle Single Malt
• Lambay
• Green Spot

3. Can You Mix Coffee With Amaretto?

Amaretto mixes well with coffee. The sweet, almond-flavored liquor tastes fantastic in a hot black coffee topped with whipped cream.

4. What is Kahlúa?

Kahlúa is a coffee liqueur made from 100% arabica beans and rum. It's a Mexican drink used across the globe in several different cocktails. The drink was birthed in Veracruz, Mexico, in 1936 and is now a staple in bars across North and South America, Europe, and Australia. 

5. Can I Add Coffee Liqueur to Regular Coffee?

Yes. Adding a dash of Kahlúa or another sweet coffee liqueur is a great way to elevate black or white coffee. A single shot of coffee liqueur provides sweetness, warmth, and a soothing alcoholic kick to your caffeinated brew. 

6. How Much Liquor Should I Add to My Coffee?

How much liquor you should add to coffee depends on the cocktail you're making and your palate. For Irish coffee, a single shot of whiskey provides a light taste of whiskey without overpowering the coffee. For an espresso martini, a shot of vodka and a shot of coffee liqueur is used to make a strong, boozy cocktail. 

7. What’s the Difference Between Arabica and Robusta Coffee?

Arabica and robusta are coffee beans from two different species — Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta. The two types of beans have unique flavor and caffeine profiles. Arabica is popular for its smooth, sweet, creamy notes and mid-level caffeine hit. Robusta is renowned for its dark, nutty, woody notes and strong caffeine hit. 

8. What Are Some Popular Coffee Liqueurs?

The most popular coffee liqueur is Kahlúa. However, it's not the only sweet caffeinated coffee liqueur on the shelves. 

Here are some of the most popular coffee liqueurs:

• Kahlúa 
• Tia Maria
• Galliano Ristretto
• Caffé Amaro
• Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur 
• Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee

9. Can You Mix Coffee With Beer or Wine?

Physically — pouring a shot of espresso in your wine glass — no. However, drinking a strong black coffee after drinks can counteract the effects of alcohol and perk you up after one too many glasses of beer or wine. 

10. What is Baileys Coffee? 

Baileys is an Irish cream liqueur that can be added to coffee to make a sweet, creamy, alcoholic brew. It's different from traditional Irish coffee because the brew is served white with the cream mixed Into the coffee rather than black with the cream floating on top.