With National Coffee Day at the end of September, and October kicking off with International Coffee Day, we felt compelled to acknowledge the magical brown bean drink we call coffee. 

Unless you’ve been living underground, and perhaps even then, we imagine you’ve heard of coffee. More than likely, you have a deep, ritualistic connection to coffee, starting each morning with a few warm sips of this typically caffeinated beverage. But, just in case you have yet to experience the joy of a warm cup of coffee between your hands, we’ll give you a brief introduction.

Coffee is a drink made from roasted coffee beans, which are seeds of the coffee plant species. It has a dark brown color, with a bitter and slightly acidic flavor—a flavor easily tamed with milk or cream and a bit of sweetener (however you prefer). As it is naturally caffeinated, coffee has a stimulating effect on your body, which is why so many people choose to start their day with a cup. 

Coffee is served in various forms, such as black, americano, cappuccino, latte and espresso, to name just a few. The differences come down to what you do or don’t add to your drink. While you won’t find it on a menu at Starbucks, adding a spirit to your coffee (or coffee to your spirit) is another way you can enjoy the flavor of coffee. That is, of course, why you decided to read this post! Here, we are sharing a few of our favorite cocktail recipes featuring coffee.

Mad River Distillers Coffee Cocktail Recipes

RYERISH COFFEE
A tasty spin on the traditional Irish drink, Ryerish Coffee (a recipe created by Maeghan Phillips) is made with our Revolution Rye whiskey, which has hints of cocoa. It’s the perfect coffee cocktail to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day, or whenever you’re in the mood.

-1.5 oz Revolution Rye Whiskey
-1 oz demerara syrup
-hot coffee
-2 oz whipping cream
-1/2 oz Benedictine (or cinnamon syrup)
-cinnamon

In an Irish coffee mug, add the Revolution Rye, demerara syrup and hot coffee. Stir to combine ingredients. In a shaker, combine the whipping cream and Benedictine (or cinnamon syrup), and shake hard for a full minute until whipped cream is formed. Top the coffee with the whipped cream, then grate fresh cinnamon on top.

BOOZY DALGONA COFFEE
We have to say from the outset that this drink isn’t the easiest to make. It takes a little patience and time to whip the coffee just right, but we promise it is worth it! Featuring our Vanilla Rum, it makes for just the delicious pick-me-up you need.

-1.5 oz Vanilla Rum
-2 tablespoons Instant Coffee
-1 tablespoon King Arthur Flour Espresso Powder
-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
-2 tablespoons hot water
-3 oz milk

Combine instant coffee, espresso powder, sugar and hot water in a bowl. Whisk until fluffy. It takes many minutes to get a thick, fluffy consistency, which is important for layering. Combine Vanilla Rum and milk in a shaker over ice, shake lightly. Strain the shaker into a glass, then add the whipped coffee on top.

COLD BREW COFFEE NEGRONI
This cold brew coffee cocktail is a Negroni riff, replacing Gin with our Revolution Rye whiskey, giving it wonderful cocoa notes. It also includes added flavor from Averna along with Campari.

-1.5 oz. Revolution Rye Whiskey
-3/4 oz. Averna
-1/2 oz. Campari
-1/2 oz. Cold Brew Coffee

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir for about 8-12 seconds. Strain into a double rocks glass over a large cube, then add an orange peel for garnish.

Whether you prefer instant coffee or freshly ground whole beans, or whether you prefer the taste of rye whiskey to rum, you’ll have a new cocktail recipe to try above. We hope that you enjoy them as much as we do. If you do, be sure to share your cocktails with us on social!  Have your own favorite coffee cocktail recipes? We’d love to hear from you. Cheers!

Written by Brianne Lucas and published on September 26, 2022.