Ultimate Guide to Coffee Drinks – Perfect Recipes for the Home Bar

Here you get the best tested recipes for coffee drinks that you can easily make at home with a regular espresso machine or a Moka pot. We have both the classic cocktail favorites and delicious non-alcoholic alternatives.

Espresso Martini (the true classic)

The ultimate after-dinner drink – invented in London in the 80s by Dick Bradsell.

Ingredients (1 drink):

40 ml freshly brewed espresso (about a double espresso, slightly cooled)
40 ml good vodka (Ketel One, Absolut Elyx, or Belvedere)
20 ml coffee liqueur (Kahlúa is classic, but Mr Black is more intense and less sweet)
10 ml simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water) – adjust according to how sweet you want it
3 coffee beans for garnish

Method:

Brew your espresso and let it cool for 1–2 minutes (it must not be piping hot).
Put all ingredients in a shaker with plenty of ice.
Shake hard for 12–15 seconds (you want the delicious foam on top!).
Double-strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with 3 coffee beans (symbolizing health, wealth, and happiness).

Tip: Use freshly roasted beans with chocolate and nut notes – it adds depth to the drink.

Espresso Martini – Alcohol-free version (Mocktail)

Exactly the same taste, no hangover.

Ingredients:

50 ml strong cold brew coffee or fresh espresso (cooled)
30 ml non-alcoholic coffee liqueur (e.g. Lyre’s Coffee Originale or make your own – see below)
15 ml sugar syrup
Optional: a pinch of sea salt for extra complexity

Shake just like the alcoholic version. Super popular in cafés now!

Homemade non-alcoholic coffee liqueur (keeps for 1 month in the fridge):

200 ml strong cold brew coffee
200 g cane sugar
200 ml water
2 vanilla pods (split)
Bring to a boil, let simmer for 5 minutes, cool and strain.

Carajillo (Spanish coffee cocktail)

Super simple and addictive

50 ml fresh espresso
40–50 ml Licor 43 (or rum/brandy)
Optional ice cubes

Pour the liqueur into a glass, top with hot espresso. Stir – it creates a delicious creamy foam. In Mexico, they shake it with ice – also fantastic!

Irish Coffee – The authentic recipe

Not just coffee with whiskey and whipped cream!

Ingredients:

40 ml good Irish whiskey (Jameson, Bushmills, or Tullamore D.E.W.)
120 ml freshly brewed, hot filter coffee or espresso
2 tsp brown sugar (demerara or muscovado)
Lightly whipped cream (not spray cream!)

Instructions:

Warm an Irish Coffee glass with hot water.
Put brown sugar in the glass, pour whiskey over it, stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the hot coffee (leave about 1 cm to the rim).
Carefully pour the lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so that it floats on top.