28 After-Dinner Drinks That Make The Perfect Nightcap
The night is young, shake up one of these cocktails.
So you've had a lovely dinner, and now you don't want the night to end? Why not linger a little bit with one of these amazing after-dinner cocktails! We've got plenty of nightcap recipes for those nights you want a comforting digestif or something more along the lines of a dessert cocktail, all 28 of these cocktails will help you wind down (or keep the party going). As they say, the night is young! Shake up some espresso martinis!
Who doesn't love to sip a bit of Scotch whiskey or cognac after a big dinner? That's the beauty of a digestif! You might be familiar with their pre-dinner counterpart, the aperitif (which helps to open up the appetite and start a meal), while digestifs will help to perk you up after a meal. Classic digestifs involve sipping whiskey, brandy, aged tequilas, or rum simply on the rocks or mixed, as they often have an herbal flavor profile that encourages slowly savoring the drink. If you've ever had a Manhattan, a negroni, or a hot toddy, you likely know just how delicious those taste at the end of the night.
If you like a little dessert with your cocktails, we've also got tons of decadent drinks here that feel like a treat in a glass. White Russians (and our spins on it, the tiramisu white Russians or our peppermint white Russians) are basically like drinking a boozy version of a chocolate coffee milkshake (what's not to love?). It's also impossible to say no to an Brandy Alexander, a nutty Irishman, or hot buttered rum on a crisp fall night. Love some bitter with your sweet? Our recipes for cherry Sazerac and cranberry orange whiskey sour are just for you.
Manhattan
There are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. First stirred up in 1894 by a bartender at New York City's Waldorf Astoria, the defining characteristic is that it uses Scotch whiskey. Change up your bitters with a few dashes of walnut, lavender, or black cherry for a fun twist.
Get the Classic Manhattan recipe.
Dirty Martini
Sippable and snackable, the perfect dirty martini is a simple ratio of 5:1:1—chilled gin: dry vermouth: olive brine. This mixture is then poured over a few ice cubes and stirred until a little of the ice dilutes to tame this stiff drink, and served with a few olives.
Get the Dirty Martini recipe.
Black Russian
The Black Russian was created in Brussels in the 1940s by a Belgian hotel bartender for the American ambassador to Luxembourg. Its name comes from the Russian spirit—vodka—and the color the coffee liqueur gives the drink. In the '60s, people began adding cream, turning it into a white Russian. TMYK!
Get the Black Russian recipe.
Frozen Espresso Martini
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.
An Americano In Paris
This drink is the illegitimate love child of a classic cocktail and a French aperitif; an Americano with an accent that is ready to transport you to the river Seine on a crisp Parisian evening. Add the adorable orange peel heart-shaped garnish, and you've got a drink that will take you to the city of love after just one sip.
Get the An Americano In Paris recipe.
Peppermint White Russians
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 holiday nightcap.
Get the Peppermint White Russians recipe.
Gold Rush Cocktail
Fans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes. 1) It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites.
Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.
Old-Fashioned
Oaky and sweet, with a hint of citrus on the finish, this classic cocktail is truly a bourbon lover's drink. You only need a few ingredients to make it too—sugar, bitters, and a large ice cube—so you’ve really got to make them count (i.e., go for the good stuff!).
Get the Old-Fashioned recipe.
Last Word Cocktail
Turn your kitchen into a speakeasy with this sharp, sour, and slightly sweet cocktail. Best part? It only requires 4 ingredients—gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice in equal parts.
Get the Last Word Cocktail recipe.
Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini
This recipe turns your favorite wintery treat of a frozen hot chocolate into a martini. A little vodka and Baileys will make it your new favorite after dinner dessert cocktail.
Get the Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini recipe.
White Russian
A classic white Russian is a drink that every bartender needs in their tool belt. Firstly, it's a cocktail made with things you like have in your bar and fridge. Secondly, it basically tastes like an adult chocolate milkshake. What more could you want?
Get the White Russian recipe.
French 75
The French 75 is among the fanciest of cocktails. Champagne is what makes this drink distinctively French (and totally worth the splurge), but a more affordable sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Cava are both sound options.
Get the French 75 recipe.
Negroni
Something about the bittersweet, botanical flavors of the negroni makes us feel like we're on vacation. This classic Italian cocktail amps up the notes of juniper in gin with sweet vermouth and herbaceous Campari.
Get the Negroni recipe.
Tiramisu White Russian
Somewhere between a cocktail and a dessert, this Italian-influenced, tiramisu-inspired 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 Russian recipe.
Amaretto Sour
For cocktail lovers who like a whiskey sour but want something a bit nuttier, this is the perfect drink. An amaretto sour is also the ideal cocktail for anyone who loves tiramisu, since the classic Italian dessert often includes amaretto.
Get the Amaretto Sour recipe.
Espresso Martini
Before the negroni and the spritz took center stage, the espresso martini was the drink of the moment. Popular with coffee lovers and tired pre-gamers alike, this classic cocktail was born in the 1980s but saw a resurgence in popularity in the last few years (and we totally see why).
Get the Espresso Martini recipe.
Americano
Similar to a negroni or an Aperol spritz, an Americano is a simple cocktail featuring Campari, club soda, and the best sweet vermouth you can find. Created in the 1860s, today it's often topped with an orange slice for a bittersweet, super-refreshing summertime beverage.
Get the Americano recipe.
Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander is the perfect drink to round out a dinner party without having to make a complicated dessert. Think of it as a boozy, ultra-fancy chocolate milkshake!
Get the Brandy Alexander recipe.
Cherry Sazerac
New Orleans made the Sazerac famous and is a classic cocktail for Mardi Gras. We added a little maraschino juice to this whiskey and cognac cocktail for a little fruity sweetness. It's bittersweet!
Get the Cherry Sazerac recipe.
Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
We crave cranberry cocktails all season long, and this is our go-to cocktail this holiday season. It's warm and spicy from the whiskey and ginger beer, and refreshing and tart from the cranberry and citrus.
Get the Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour recipe.
