Holiday Coffee Cocktail Guide

Looking for amazing cocktail recipes for the holidays?  We have a few for you.  You don’t need to be a barista or bartender…these are all super easy to make at home.

You will see some recipes call for “espresso” and we often receive the question, “don’t you offer an espresso?”, even from people who’ve been drinking espresso for years. Historically, espresso beans have been a very dark roast, therefore people think, espresso = a super dark roast with a burnt or smoky taste.  Fact: Any roast level can be used as an espresso because, Espresso is the fineness of the grind, not the level of the roast.  Even after we explain this..the old belief is difficult to change.  

Espresso is about brewing any type of coffee or roast in the correct amount of time, with the appropriate amount of pressure with a very fine grind – not quite like a powder, but finer than table salt.

Don’t have an espresso maker and find them too expensive?  Pick up a moka pot instead!  You’ve seen them everywhere and they are super inexpensive, easy to use, and….FUN!  Here is the difference between moka pot and espresso brews: Coffee coming out of the moka pot is typically 2-3 times as concentrated as regular drip coffee. ... Moka pot coffee can still be balanced, well rounded, and sweet, though generally the coffee has a deeper, darker flavor profile than normal. Espresso shots are often 5-8 times as concentrated as regular drip coffee.

For measuring purposes (if you don’t have a jigger), 1 shot equals 1.5 fluid ounces or just under a ¼ of a cup. If using moka pot coffee in place of the espresso, we listed some suggested measurements.

THE CALL SIGN TIRAMISU MARTINI

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Bailey’s Irish Cream
• ¼ ounce (Half T) Vodka
• ¼ cup Cold Zero Dark Thirty Espresso (1/3 cup plus T using Moka pot)
• Cocoa Powder

Method:

Shake with ice.  Sprinkle cocoa powder on top and garnish with a maraschino cherry. 

CALL SIGN ESPRESSO MARTINI, Decaf

Why Decaf, you ask?  Sometimes we want the taste and not the caffeine (evening) or we want to accommodate those who cannot have caffeine for health purposes.
Ingredients:

• Double shot of espresso (we used Zonk, Decaf, so we wouldn’t be up all night!)
• 1 Shot of Rum
• 3.5 Tbsp Kahlua
• Simple Syrup to Taste (or agave nectar)
• Finely ground coffee for rim of glass (optional)

1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add a scoop of ice and shake energetically.
2. Feel free to add simple syrup IF necessary.
3. Pour into prepared Martini glass and you're ready to serve.

THE NOMAD SPRITZ

• Double Shot Espresso (We used Ethiopian “NOMAD”)
• Cold Club Soda
• Orange Peel for Garnish

Method:

1. Pour espresso into a pint glass.
2. Fill glass with ice, top with club soda and drink up!

BATTLE BUDDY WINTER'S COMFORT

• 1/2 shot Brandy
• 1/2 shot Grand Marnier
• 1/2 shot Kahlua
• 4-5 oz hot coffee
• Topping: prepared real whipped cream

Method:
Pour the Brandy, Grand Marnier, Kaluha, and freshly brewed coffee in a mug. Add whipped cream on top to taste and enjoy!

As always, we love seeing your results, so please make sure to tag us @callsigncoffeecompany on Instagram if you make any of our awesome coffee recipes. Find the perfect coffee to make your Holiday Coffee Cocktails here.