Coffee Old Fashioned is a Delicious Nightcap

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Coffee and bourbon are the perfect pair in this Coffee Old Fashioned, a twist on a classic bourbon cocktail.

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 strong cold 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
Cold coffee
Brown sugar syrup
An orange
Chocolate bitters

How to Make a Coffee Old Fashioned

Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.

Coffee being poured into a mixing glass filled with bourbon and ice.

Stir for 10-15 seconds.

A hand stirring a cocktail in a mixing glass with a bar spoon.

Strain your cocktail into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube or a few cubes of fresh ice.

Straining a coffee old fashioned into a rocks glass.

Garnish with a couple cocktail cherries and/or an orange peel expressed over your glass.

Enjoy!

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of bourbon should I use?

Your favorite bourbon or rye bourbon would be delicious in this recipe. Just make sure you aren’t using any that’s been infused with another flavor (honey, apple, etc.). I love Four Roses or Buffalo Trace bourbon in my old fashioneds.

What can I use instead of chocolate bitters?

I really love what chocolate bitters adds to this drink. But if you don’t like chocolate bitters or don’t have any on hand, you can use aromatic Angostura bitters or even orange bitters in this recipe.

Where can I buy brown sugar syrup?

You make it! Combine ½ cup brown sugar with ½ cup hot water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, then chill the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make your cocktail. Get more info on making and storing sugar syrups over on my simple syrup recipe page.