4 Surprising Espresso Coffee Recipes

Posted by CraftFoxes Staff on Jul 27, 2022

If you love the smell of freshly brewed espresso in the morning, why not enjoy the flavor as an afternoon thirst quencher or even an after work cocktail? That intense roast can give you a kick at almost any hour of the day, as long as it doesn’t keep you from sleeping at night (unless you want it to keep you from sleeping at night). Whether you’re looking for something cool, cold, refreshing or freezing, here are four drinks that will liven up your espresso menu.

Espresso Martini

Mixing your daily buzz with Mr. Bond’s favorite libation may sound unseemly, but it’s an energetic combination of flavors and feelings you’ll grow to love. The recipe combines coffee liqueur, vodka, simple syrup, ice and, of course, espresso.

Fresh coffee is a key ingredient, so you don’t want to test out the recipe on beans that have been sitting in he back of the cupboard for months. If you don’t own a percolator, you may want to check out a company with a long history in the space such as De’Longhi espresso machines.

After brewing the espresso, let it cool to room temperature and eventually refrigerate. Don’t worry, secret agents, the final combination is shaken, not stirred. That’s what gives it a foamy head. As John Kanell says, it’s like “coffee for nighttime.”

Espresso Tonic

Does it seem confusing that anyone would want bitter coffee mixed with bitter tonic? Well, the espresso tonic has made for a popular warm weather drink over the past few years, a more sublime alternative to iced coffee. The key to making it appealing is high quality espresso and tonic, and ice. Opt for light and medium roasts when preparing the drink.

James Hoffman (in the video above) says the bitterness of the tonic actually tempers the bitter flavors of the espresso, plus the hints of citrus round out the edges of the roasted flavor. If you’re willing to simmer your own tonic water, you’ll end up with an even more impressive concoction. Plus, you can brag about making your own tonic water.

Dirty Chai Latte

Perhaps a dirty chai latte isn’t the most surprising easy drink, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. If you’ve never heard of a dirty chai latte, it’s basically a chai latte with a shot of espresso mixed in. Buttered Side Up has some tips to make the drink at home if you don’t feel like taking a trip to Starbucks. For starters, brewing the chai with tea bags will make that part of the process a little simpler. If you don’t have an espresso machine, you can also work with strong brewed coffee or an aero press.

Espresso Popsicle

You may not think of a popsicle as a drink, but you more or less drink it as soon as it melts in your mouth. This espresso popsicle recipe starts by freezing a couple of tablespoons of oat milk in popsicle molds. (Of course, you don't need to use oat milk.)

For the main part of the popsicle, you combine hot water, brown sugar and espresso. Then everything is frozen into a popsicle. Probably not a great after school treat for kids, but maybe mom and dad can sneak one.