Iced Espresso Cocktail

This iced espresso cocktail combines a zippy kick of espresso with cream, vodka, and a gentle touch of honey liqueur warmth.

Why this recipe works

This iced espresso cocktail reminds me of a cross between an espresso martini and a white Russian. It’s creamy and smooth with a warm hug of honey liqueur that’s rounded out with the bitterness of espresso for an energizing zip. It’s a nice little sipper for an afternoon pick-me-up and has a bit more character than some other iced coffee cocktails have to offer!

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

HONEY LIQUOR – The overall taste of this cocktail will depend on the type of honey liquor you use, as they do not all come equal. We used Bärenjäger, which is thick, honey-forward, and has subtle herbal flavoring. It’s also a neutral spirit, which is ideal here for not overpowering the other components in the drink. There are other honey liquors available that are whiskey, bourbon, or scotch-based, but these will change the flavor profile. You can easily substitute the honey liquor with chocolate liquor if preferred. Simple syrup or coffee syrup will also do the trick, but do note that neither of these options contains alcohol, and you’ll likely need to experiment with the amount you add.

HEAVY CREAM – The heavy cream adds rich creaminess, just like you’d find in a typical iced coffee. If you’d like to reduce the calories, you can substitute the heavy cream with milk. You can also use skim milk or even a nut milk. Keep in mind, these substitutions will cut down on the richness of this drink.

ICE – We used a few espresso ice cubes in our cocktail. However, this will change the caffeine intensity as the ice cubes melt. We only used a few per cocktail and used regular ice for the rest. You can use all regular ice if preferred.

How to Make An Iced Espresso Cocktail

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. If you want to add a sugar rim to the glass, place a little honey liqueur or simple syrup in a saucer. Place some turbinado sugar in a second saucer.
2. Going in at a 45-degree angle, dip only one side of the glass rim in the honey liqueur or syrup. Then dip it into the sugar, turning gently to coat. We only dip one side to allow for a clean place to sip from if not using a straw!
   
   TIP – It’s best to allow the glass to rest for 5 minutes before adding ice cubes. This will allow the sugar to set. In this case, add 5 minutes to the preparation time for this drink.
   
   
3. Fill glass with ice.
4. Add vodka to the glass.
5. Pour in espresso.
6. Add honey liqueur.
7. Pour in milk.
8. Top with heavy cream or half and half.
9. Use a cocktail stirrer to mix it all up and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

If you don’t have an espresso machine and don’t want to hit your local barista, you can substitute with some fresh-brewed strong coffee (after it’s cooled, of course).

Absolutely. I think of this cocktail as any other espresso or iced coffee drink, where you either stir it with your straw or shake it with a lid. Either way works with this one!

Serving Suggestions

This iced espresso cocktail is just as good with or without a garnished rim. If you’d like to dress up the rim, you can use regular granulated sugar (or brown sugar!) instead of turbinado sugar. Optionally top with a frosted donut for a nice little sweet treat on the side!

More Cocktail Recipes

• Espresso Martini
• Frozen Mudslide
• Spiked Iced Coffee
• Baileys Coffee Float

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