Coffee And Vodka Recipes: A Winning Combination

Coffee drink recipes can run the gamut from classic to trendy to downright weird, but a true coffee lover is up for trying them all.

At this time Americans drink approximately 400 million cups of coffee per day, and that number rises steadily. 

Research has indicated that people who consume moderate amounts of coffee and alcohol live longer than those who don’t. So why not make the best of both and combine the two?

One of the recently popular coffee concoctions making the rounds is coffee and vodka. You can simply combine a cup of coffee with a shot of vodka if you like, but you can try a number of ways to spice up this simple mixture from hot to cold, innocent to naughty, and morning pick-me-ups to late-night libations. 

In this article we share some of our favorite coffee and vodka combinations with you.

1. Coffee-Flavored Vodka

One of the best and simplest ways to make flavored vodka is to infuse plain vodka with freshly-ground coffee beans.

Coffee-Flavored Vodka Recipe

Prep Time 2 days

Equipment

  • quart-size mason jar with a lid
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee filter

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup coffee beans
  • 2 cups vodka

Instructions
 

  • Coarsely grind the coffee beans.
  • Add the coffee to the mason jar and pour in the vodka.
  • Screw a lid on tightly and give the jar a good shake.
  • Let it sit for a couple of days, and shake it occasionally.
  • Once the liquid turns a nice, rich, dark-brown color, strain it through a coffee filter and discard the grounds.
  • Store the coffee-flavored vodka in a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.

This coffee-infused vodka makes a fantastic espresso martini! Simply mix it with espresso, Bailey’s, and ice.

If you’re not up to infusing your own vodka, you can make caffeinated vodka drinks in all sorts of different ways. Instant coffee, flavored liqueurs, sugar syrups and dairy products can be used to make a drink that suits your particular tastes, from mugs of hot, spiked coffee to elegant caffeinated martinis. 

2. Iced Coffee Ideas

Vodka liqueur coffee sitting on top of a wooden table.

Iced coffee with vodka can be incredibly refreshing. While a simple mixture of cold-brewed coffee and vodka is tasty, you can include lots of other things to enhance its flavor. Try adding any of the following:

  • An accompanying flavored alcohol: Kahlua, Triple Sec, Amaretto and Frangelico
  • Something sweet: Brown sugar, chocolate syrup, simple syrup, or a sugar substitute if you’re going carbohydrate-free
  • Heavy cream, half-and-half, non-dairy cream, or coconut milk
  • Ice cubes, bitters, or ice cream (Chocolate and vanilla are the most obvious choices.)
  • Hazelnut or vanilla extract

Finish it off by giving the top a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg. Unmute your taste buds and listen to them sing!

3. Hot Coffee Ideas

Sometimes you just need a bit of something hot, caffeinated – and spiked with vodka. We’ve all had those kinds of days.

Don’t worry; we won’t judge!

  • Make a hot vodka coffee by combining freshly brewed coffee, flavored vodka (Cinnamon is particularly good.), and milk. Garnish with whipped cream.
  • You can make a hot white Russian by adding a touch of Kahlua to the above concoction.
  • Try a vodka espresso – combine fresh, hot espresso with vodka, simple syrup, and coffee liqueur.
  • Add vodka and coffee liqueur to a mug of hot chocolate for an adult hot cocoa.

4. Coffee Cocktail Recipes

4.1 White Russian

Vodka liqueur coffee with cream.

The most famous coffee cocktail is arguably the White Russian, that classic, creamy mixture of Kahlua and vodka.

White Russian Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Old-fashioned glass

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 2 oz coffee liqueur
  • Heavy cream
  • ice

Instructions
 

  • Fill an old-fashioned glass half full of ice cubes.
  • Add the coffee liqueur, Kahlua, and vodka.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and serve.

4.2 Black Russian

The IBA specified recipe for Black Russians calls for the same ingredients as a white Russian without the heavy cream.

4.3 Variations On A Theme

You can try variations on the basic White/Black Russian cocktail with these ideas:

  • A Colorado Bulldog is a Black Russian in a highball glass with Coca-Cola added.
  • To make a Brown Russian, add a splash of ginger ale to a Black Russian.
  • Add a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream to a White Russian, and you have a mudslide!
  • An Orange Russian is a Black Russian with a shot of Triple Sec and an orange slice.

4.4 Kahlua’s Irish Espresso Martini

Kahlua’s Irish Espresso Martini Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Cocktail glass

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz espresso
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • 1 oz Irish whiskey

Instructions
 

  • Brew your espresso.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Add the espresso, whiskey, and Kahlua to a cocktail shaker.
  • Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.

4.5 Vodka Irish Coffee

This is a lovely vodka-infused variation on a traditional Irish Coffee:

Vodka Irish Coffee Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Glass

Ingredients
  

  • 4 oz cold brew coffee
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • Nutmeg
  • Ice

Instructions
 

  • Brew your cold brew or opt for a pre-made one.
  • Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Add the cold brew, vodka, and Bailey's Irish Cream to the cocktail shaker.
  • Shake well.
  • Pour into your glass and finish with a dusting of nutmeg.

4.6 Frangelico Espresso Martini

Frangelico Espresso Martini Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Martini glass
  • Coffee machine

Ingredients
  

  • 4 oz espresso
  • 1 oz Frangelico
  • 1 oz vodka
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Ice

Instructions
 

  • Brew the espresso.
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Add the espresso, Frangelico, and vodka.
  • Shake well and serve.
  • Garnish with chocolate shavings.

4.7 Instant Espresso Martini

Instant Espresso Martini Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes

Equipment

  • Spoon
  • Martini glass

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp instant coffee
  • 2 oz cold water
  • 1 oz vodka

Instructions
 

  • Dissolve the instant coffee in water.
  • Add your favorite vodka and stir.
  • Pour into your martini glass and serve cold.

Final Word on Coffee and Vodka

Whatever way you choose to prepare your coffee vodka, enjoy these recipes to help make it memorable. Serve some of these at your next holiday get-together and wow your guests.

Let us know in the comments below how you like to make your coffee and vodka drinks!

Author

  • Aisling O'Connor

    Aisling is an Irish food and drinks writer and journalist fueled by coffee and herbal tea. She followed up her journalism degree with nutrition studies. Find Aisling on LinkedIn.