Iced Coffee Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

Enjoy a potent and perky tipple when you sip on the Iced Coffee cocktail.

This might sound odd to some of our younger readers, but there was a time—not too long ago, either—when the world was a place where cold brew coffee didn’t exist. Now, of course, it’s everywhere, and has just as large and permanent a presence in society as a regular cup o’ joe. I remember around ten years ago, Starbucks started selling it, and the more curious I became, the harder it seemed to get. Whenever I popped into my local ‘Bucks to grab myself one, they were already sold out for the day, and apparently, the brewing process went on for like 24 hours or something. Try again tomorrow, they’d say. It felt like hunting for an elusive toy at Christmas.

Around the same time, I was taking a trip back east to visit my family, and I ended up on an all-night flight from LAX to JFK. With the time change, I disembarked in New York City around 6:30 in the morning, a little tired and bleary-eyed. As I walked through the airport, I naturally passed by a Starbucks that had cold brew signs everywhere. So I got in the very short line and crossed my fingers. Minutes later, I was sipping on the very strong, smooth and somewhat sweet rather than bitter brew. It woke me up and kept me going for the rest of that day, which I remember being a tad long. Back then, I thought to myself that I hoped this wasn’t a limited-time recipe, as cold brew fast became a favorite of mine. Luckily for me and everyone else, that wasn’t the case.

And now that cold brew coffee is here to stay, how about we take a quick gander at a cocktail made with some, the Iced Coffee Cocktail. A potent and eye-opening mixture made of vodka, coffee liqueur, and the aforementioned cold brew, the Iced Coffee Cocktail takes the concept of a chilled and sweetened java drink, but adds a bit of a grown-up spin on the recipe.

The next time I’m at the airport, I’ll seek this tipple out instead of some Starbucks.

What is the best alcohol to use in an Iced Coffee Cocktail?

We’ll need some coffee liqueur to go along with our potent and punchy cold brew when building this drink. Kahlúa is probably the most popular brand, and is a rum-based concoction that originated in Mexico in the 1930s. For the vodka, it is recommended to use an unflavored variety, one that is crisp, clean-tasting, and clear. This will ensure the notes from the coffee elements take center stage, with the bite from the vodka sitting in a well-balanced space amongst them.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Put a large cocktail cube in a rocks or Old Fashioned glass, gently stir your mixture within using a barspoon or swizzle stick, then garnish with a fresh sprig of mint before serving or sipping.

What is the best kind of cold brew coffee to use?

You can go to your local grocery store and find premade and ready-to-drink cold brew from various brands, including Starbucks. Depending on what you like, that’s what you should go for.

Other coffee cocktails worth trying

Coffee and spirits seem to be made for one another, and with the amount of caffeinated cocktails out there, their number only seems to be growing. If tonight’s drink reminded you of other brew-tinged elixirs, but also has you curious for some you might not be familiar with, then check these out below for a few fresh ideas.

• Coffee Nudge – Brandy is the base in this beautifully bitter and creamy beverage.
• Long Island Iced Coffee – Cold brew and coffee liqueur join a gaggle of liquors in this powerful sipper.
• Colorado Bulldog – A bubbly and sweetly smooth concoction.
• Revolver – Bourbon, coffee liqueur, and orange bitters meld together in smoky harmony.