Espresso Old Fashioned recipe
Bourbon meets espresso — the cocktail for people who can't choose between a nightcap and a pick-me-up.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 0.5 oz Coffee Liqueur
- 0.25 oz Demerara Syrup
- 2 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- 1 shot Fresh Espresso (cooled)
How to make a Espresso Old Fashioned
- Let espresso cool to room temperature.
- Add bourbon, coffee liqueur, demerara syrup, bitters, and espresso to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Express an orange peel over the drink. Garnish with 3 coffee beans.
Garnish
Orange peel and coffee beans.
Pro tip
The espresso must be cooled — hot coffee will melt the ice instantly and dilute your drink. Make it ahead and keep it in the fridge. The chocolate bitters bridge the coffee and bourbon beautifully.
History of the Espresso Old Fashioned
A modern creation that merges two bar favorites — the Old Fashioned and the Espresso Martini. It emerged in the late 2010s as bartenders explored coffee-spirit pairings beyond the standard vodka-espresso combo.
Flavour profile
Coffee, Warm, Boozy, Bittersweet
Variations
- Rye Espresso OF — Use rye whiskey for spicier coffee notes
- Irish Espresso OF — Use Irish whiskey for smoother body
- Smoked Espresso OF — Add a mezcal rinse for smoke
Practise making the Espresso Old Fashioned in the free Virtual Bar game.