17 Coffee Cocktails That Will Give You Energy All Night
These cocktails will certainly get you buzzed.
Of course, it's a universal truth that the espresso martini is a winner at any and all happy hours, but why stop there? Coffee cocktails are the ultimate way to keep your buzz going in more ways than one, and range from anywhere from classic White Russians to a refreshing cold brew sangria. While mixing up these cocktail recipes might seem advanced, they're really not. If you've got leftover cold brew, a drip coffee maker, or even just some instant coffee lying around, you're well on your way to becoming your friends' new favorite mixologist. No matter how you take your coffee, we've got a cocktail recipe for everyone, whether you're in the mood for a fancy after-dinner nightcap or a sweet dessert cocktail.
If you want to really level up your coffee cocktail game, there's no easier way to do it than incorporating a coffee liqueur. You're likely already familiar with Kahlúa, but there's actually a ton of different options out there. Lucky for you, we've rated all the best coffee liqueurs out there for mixing or drinking straight up.
Now that your bar cart is well-stocked, it's time to get acquainted with the easiest coffee cocktail of all: White Russians. But simple doesn't mean boring. We love creating all kinds of new riffs on White Russians, like our recipes for tiramisu White Russians, peppermint White Russians, and pumpkin spice White Russians. Creamy drinks not really your thing? Our two-ingredient Black Russian is spirit-forward yet still packs that signature caffeine punch.
If you, like us, can't get enough coffee, be sure to check out our favorite recipes that use coffee next!
White Russian
The White Russian cocktail is among a few classic drinks that every home bartender needs in their tool belt. This three-ingredient cocktail couldn’t be easier to make—if you have Kahlúa, vodka, and heavy cream, you’re well on your way to making this after-dinner drink. Whether you’re an espresso martini lover looking for their next go-to drink or feel like embodying the Dude for a night (The Big Lebowski fans—you get it), this is the rich and creamy cocktail that will make your evening.
Get the White Russian recipe.
Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail
Everyone is espresso martini-crazed these days, but you don’t need to drink alcohol to enjoy this decadent trend! Our espresso mocktail packs a punch with an espresso base, creamy top, and tons of Oreo crunch with none of the alcohol. For the caffeine-adverse, this drink is still a go, as it can also be enjoyed with decaf espresso, if desired.
Get the Espresso Mocha Crunch Mocktail recipe.
Dalgona Martini
Dalgona or whipped coffee is now the coolest thing to top all of your drinks with. Try it on top of this simple Baileys martini for an instant pick-me-up. Want to whip more drinks? We rounded up all of the best whipped drinks!
Get the Dalgona Martini recipe.
Frozen Espresso Martini
What’s better than an ice-cold espresso martini on a hot summer day? A frozen espresso martini, any day of the year. By freezing concentrated cold brew, blending it with Kahlúa and vodka, and topping it with an instant espresso Baileys whipped cream, we’ve created a frozen espresso martini that is not only perfectly balanced, but also incredibly easy to make and super-impressive.
Get the Frozen Espresso Martini recipe.
Black Russian Cocktail
You may have heard of the classic White Russian, a creamy coffee cocktail that gained popularity in the 1990s, but its predecessor the Black Russian delivers on simplicity and strong coffee flavor. This two-ingredient, spirit-forward cocktail combines vodka and coffee liqueur served over ice, making it a flavorful dessert cocktail perfect after a nice dinner out, especially when garnished with an orange slice or a Maraschino cherry.
Get the Black Russian Cocktail recipe.
Espresso Martini
This buzzy '90s throwback has surged in popularity the last few years, and we are all the happier (and more caffeinated) for it. We love it as a pre-game drink to keep us going all through the night.
Get the Espresso Martini recipe.
Tiramisu White Russians
Somewhere between cocktail and dessert, this Italian-influenced White Russian is hard to resist. Looking for a festive upgrade? A dash of orange bitters, a pinch of ground cinnamon, or some fresh nutmeg shavings add another dimension to this decadent drink.
Get the Tiramisu White Russians recipe.
Tiramisu Shots
If tiramisu is your favorite dessert (ours too!), then you will go crazy for these shots. It takes a delicate pour to layer them perfectly, but it makes for the cutest presentation and resembles the layers tiramisu has.
Get the Tiramisu Shots recipe.
Baileys Coffee Slushies
This super-boozy shake uses cold brew ice cubes, so it won't get diluted no matter how long it takes you to get to the bottom of the glass.
Get the Baileys Coffee Slushies recipe.
Mudslide Cocktail
A glass rimmed with chocolate and filled with a creamy drink of vodka, Baileys, and Kahlúa is our idea of a dessert cocktail. It's more than just an excuse to have booze for dessert, but it's the only one we need. Try it with our mini Baileys cheesecakes!
Get the Mudslide recipe.
Cold Brew Sangria
Yes, we took arguably the two best beverages and combined them into one serious killer cocktail. You're going to want to drink this coffee sangria black—the fruit, Cointreau, and simple syrup sweeten things up, so you don't even miss milk or cream.
Get the Cold Brew Sangria recipe.
Pumpkin Spice White Russians
Your pumpkin spice latte, now all grown up! Whether you just want a fun night cap, or want to have a signature cocktail during the fall, this one is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the Pumpkin Spice White Russians recipe.
Peppermint White Russian
Everyone’s favorite boozy coffee drink just got a holiday makeover. With a simple combo of Kahlúa, vodka, and heavy cream, the White Russian is already the king of creamy after-dinner cocktails, but adding a splash of peppermint schnapps makes it perfect for a seasonal celebration. Finish with a pinch of salt and a few peppermint candies, and meet your new favorite nightcap.
Get the Peppermint White Russian recipe.
Gingerbread Espresso Martini
Spice up the espresso martini trend with this gingerbread version that takes the cocktail to new heights. An aromatic simple syrup made with molasses, ginger, and warming spices is the perfect foil for Kahlúa's robust coffee flavor. It’s a festive cocktail guaranteed to give you a pleasant buzz and get you in the holiday spirit.
Get the Gingerbread Espresso Martini recipe.
Irish Coffee
The combination of sweetened coffee, Irish whiskey, and whipped cream makes this double hit of caffeine and booze perfect for the start or end of the night.
Get the Irish Coffee recipe.
Toasted Marshmallow Campfire Cocktail
Fire up your espresso machine! This creamy concoction hits the sweet spot between cocktail, coffee, and dessert.
Drunken Pumpkin Latte
Sometimes a regular Pumpkin Spice Latte just won't cut it. This boozy, grown-up version is the perfect celebration of all things fall.
Get the Drunken Pumpkin Latte recipe.
