Homemade Happy Hour

  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Recipes
    • My Book
    • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Cocktail Recipes

    Coffee Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail

    Modified: May 4, 2025 · Published: May 9, 2020 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    11795 shares

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Skip to Recipe Watch the Video
    Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail

    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.

    Coffee Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail.
    Jump to:
    • What's in a Coffee Old Fashioned
    • How to Make a Coffee Old Fashioned
    • Recipe Tips
    • Looking for More Old Fashioned Cocktails?
    • More Delicious Cocktail Recipes You'll Love
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Coffee Old Fashioned 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. 

    What's in a Coffee Old Fashioned

    Ingredients for a coffee old fashioned.
    • 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 coffee - This can be cold brew coffee 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.
    • An 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 coffee, brown sugar syrup, orange juice, and chocolate bitters in a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes.

    Coffee being poured into a mixing glass filled with bourbon and ice.
    A hand stirring a cocktail in a mixing glass with a bar spoon.

    Stir for 10-15 seconds.

    Straining a coffee old fashioned into a rocks glass.

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

    Citrus oil spray from an orange peel being squeezed over a cocktail.

    Garnish with a maraschino cocktail cherry and/or an orange peel expressed over your glass. 

    Coffee Old Fashioned cocktails.

    Sip and 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.
    Your Best Drinks at Home. Buy my recipe book, Homemade Happy Hour.

    Looking for More Old Fashioned Cocktails?

    I love a twist on a classic cocktail, and the Old Fashioned is no exception! Try my 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. You can also step away from bourbon completely with this Oaxaca old-fashioned cocktail with mezcal.

    Glasses of Peach Old Fashioned cocktail.
    Peach Old Fashioned
    Apple Old Fashioned.
    Apple Old Fashioned

    More Delicious Cocktail Recipes You'll Love

    • Espresso Martini
      4 Ingredient Espresso Vodka Martini
    • Cranberry Old Fashioned
      Cranberry Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
    • A rocks glass filled with old fashioned cocktail.
      Classic Old Fashioned Bourbon Cocktail
    • A glass of ginger bourbon sour cocktail on wooden trays with lemons.
      Ginger Bourbon Sour Cocktail Recipe with Egg White

    Print the Recipe Card

    Coffee Old Fashioned.

    Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail

    Katy McAvoy
    Coffee and bourbon are the perfect pair in this twist on a classic Old Fashioned cocktail.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Equipment

    • Chocolate Bitters
    • Mixing Glass
    • Rocks Glasses

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 oz bourbon
    • 1 oz cold brewed 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

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 52mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 28IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    11795 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Katie says

      March 12, 2024 at 7:23 pm

      Great recipe - where did you get your glasses? The ones you used to photograph that drink with?
      I love them

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy says

        March 14, 2024 at 8:42 am

        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

        Reply
    2. Roger Hellard says

      May 17, 2024 at 1:27 pm

      How do you make the brown sugar syrup? Do you just melt the sugar in a pot?

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy says

        May 17, 2024 at 5:10 pm

        Brown sugar syrup is equal parts brown sugar and water. The full recipe and instructions are here: https://mittengirl.com/brown-sugar-simple-syrup/

        Reply
    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Cranberry Mocktail
      6 Easy Mocktail Recipes with Club Soda (Non-Alcoholic)

    • A glass of pineapple old fashioned garnished with a pineapple wedge.
      Pineapple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe 

    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)

    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy Stove Top Barbecue Meatballs (No Grape Jelly)

    • A coupe glass of strawberry lemon drop martini cocktail with a white sugar rim and strawberry slice garnish.
      Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail

    • Glasses filled with red drinks and fruit, with a pitcher of red drinks in the background.
      Easy Pitcher Drinks - Large Batch Cocktails and Mocktails for a Party

    • Tomato Rice and Beans
      Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top

    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Piña Colada Mocktail (Without a Blender)

    • Pineapple Vodka Martini
      Bright and Refreshing Pineapple Martini with Citrus

    • A glass of coconut margarita.
      Creamy Coconut Margarita Recipe (On the Rocks)

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign up for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate and Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Mitten Girl LLC. All rights reserved.

    Advertisements displayed on this website do not in any way reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Mittengirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour are properties of Mitten Girl LLC.
    All photographs, text, and recipes on this site may not be copied to social media, or used for any commercial
    or AI purposes without the express written permission of the site owner.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required