Coffee Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
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Made with cold brew coffee and your favorite bourbon, this Coffee Old Fashioned is an espresso-martini-meets-old-fashioned twist that’s perfect for sipping next to the bonfire.
This coffee old fashioned cocktail recipe is a favorite cocktail in our house, especially as an after dinner drink. If you’re not in the mood for a classic old fashioned, this one is a great way to still enjoy a bourbon nightcap.
The beauty of a classic Old Fashioned is its simplicity. So to create this Coffee Old Fashioned, we’re continuing that trend using espresso cold brew coffee and homemade brown sugar syrup, while leaving out coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, or other syrupy liqueurs.
Most old-fashioned recipes call for a twist of orange peel, but that is entirely up to your preference with this Coffee Old Fashioned. Since there’s a squeeze of fresh juice in this drink, there’s plenty of orange flavor. However, if you love an orange twist on the top of your drink, go ahead and add it to your coffee cocktail.
Ingredients
- Bourbon – Choose your favorite bourbon for this cocktails. Just make sure you aren’t using one that’s been infused with another flavor (honey, apple, etc.). I love Four Roses or Buffalo Trace bourbon in my old fashioneds.
- Cold Brew Coffee – This can be homemade cold brew coffee (or store bought) or strong brewed coffee that you’ve chilled. Just make sure it’s cold before using in your cocktail.
- Brown Sugar Syrup – An easy variation on simple syrup, this 2 ingredient brown sugar syrup adds depth of flavor along with sweetness. Get the recipe – including microwave instructions – over on my brown sugar syrup recipe page.
- Orange – Use a fresh orange for this recipe. It really does make a big difference in the flavor.
- Chocolate Bitters – Bitters add a wonderful depth to the cocktail and chocolate compliments the coffee and bourbon nicely. (Read: Elevate Your Cocktails with Bitters) You can use aromatic bitters if you don’t have chocolate bitters on hand (though I highly recommend getting some!).
How to Make a Coffee Old Fashioned
Combine bourbon, cold brew coffee, brown sugar syrup, orange juice, and chocolate bitters in a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.
Stir for 10-15 seconds.
Strain your cocktail into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube or a few cubes of fresh ice.
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Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz cold brew coffee
- ½ oz brown sugar syrup
- ½ oz orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 4 dashes chocolate bitters
Instructions
- Stir everything together with ice in a large glass or cocktail shaker.
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice cubes.
- Garnish with a cocktail cherry and/or an orange peel.
- Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Tips
Prep your strong coffee. You have two options for getting the coffee ready for this cocktail. Either brew strong, hot coffee and cool it to at least room temperature before using. (But preferably chill it first.) OR you can use cold brew coffee for this recipe. Either is delicious. Do not use instant coffee.
Fresh juice is really important here. Don’t use orange juice from a bottle or carton. Squeeze an orange. You’ll need no more than half of an orange for this recipe.
Don’t have an orange on hand? Clementines make a great substitution for the orange in this recipe.
Make Your Own Brown Sugar Syrup
Brown sugar syrup is easily made at home with just 2 ingredients – water and brown sugar – and about 5 minutes of your time. Get all of my instructions and tips (including how to make it in the microwave) over on my Brown Sugar Syrup Recipe page.
Looking for More Old Fashioned Cocktails?
I love a twist on a classic cocktail, and the Old Fashioned is no exception! Try my easy maple old fashioned, a peach old fashioned made with easy peach syrup, this apple old fashioned with apple cider syrup or a pineapple old fashioned with fresh pineapple syrup.
Great recipe – where did you get your glasses? The ones you used to photograph that drink with?
I love them
Thank you! I’m so glad you liked the cocktail. 🙂
The glasses are from Crate and Barrel. Find them here: https://www.crateandbarrel.com/hatch-glasses/f58609
How do you make the brown sugar syrup? Do you just melt the sugar in a pot?
Brown sugar syrup is equal parts brown sugar and water. The full recipe and instructions are here: https://mittengirl.com/brown-sugar-simple-syrup/