How to Make a Coffee Liqueur Cocktail with Vodka and Gin

If you’ve ever wondered how to combine the bold flavors of coffee liqueur with clear spirits without brewing a single cup, this drink has your answer. It’s not a brewed coffee cocktail—but it delivers the cocoa depth and boozy lift coffee lovers crave, minus the espresso machine.

The recipe calls for equal parts vodka, dry gin, and cocoa liqueur—each making up one-third of the mix—shaken over ice and strained. That’s just three ingredients, no coffee beans in sight, yet it carries the unmistakable notes of chocolate and spirit-forward complexity.

What’s in This Coffee-Style Cocktail?

This isn’t a traditional coffee drink, but a cocktail inspired by coffee liqueurs. The base includes:

• Vodka (1/3 of the mix)
• Dry gin (1/3 of the mix)
• Cocoa liqueur (1/3 of the mix)
• Ice cubes (to fill the shaker)

No actual brewed coffee is used—but the cocoa liqueur provides the roasty, dessert-like coffee essence that ties the drink together.

How to Shake and Serve the Drink

To make it, you’ll need a cocktail shaker and your three liquor components. Here’s the step-by-step method:

• Add equal thirds of vodka, dry gin, and cocoa liqueur into a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a marshmallow on top (optional, but recommended for texture and sweetness).

The original creator noted that the marshmallow complements the cocktail’s flavor profile—offering a soft, sweet contrast to the boozy, cocoa-rich drink.

Why This Works Without Coffee Beans

While there’s no espresso or cold brew involved, the cocoa liqueur brings the key coffee-like notes: dark chocolate, slight bitterness, and a syrupy mouthfeel. Paired with the clean sharpness of vodka and the botanical bite of gin, it mimics the complexity of a coffee cocktail—without needing to brew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use fresh coffee or espresso in this cocktail?

No, this recipe does not use any brewed coffee, espresso, or cold brew. The coffee-like flavor comes entirely from the cocoa liqueur, which provides dark chocolate and roasted notes reminiscent of coffee.

What kind of cocoa liqueur should I use?

The recipe specifies “” or cocoa liqueur. Look for a classic cocoa- or chocolate-based liqueur such as Crème de Cacao or a similar product with a rich, sweet, and bitter chocolate profile.

Can I use a different gin or vodka?

Yes, you can use any standard dry gin and vodka. The recipe calls for equal parts of each, so choose brands that you enjoy neat or in other cocktails—the balance will remain the same.

Is marshmallow necessary for this drink?

No, the marshmallow is optional. The original mixologist included it because they enjoyed how the soft sweetness contrasted with the boozy and cocoa flavors of the cocktail. Feel free to skip it or use another garnish.

What glass should I serve this in?

Serve it in a standard chilled cocktail glass. The recipe doesn’t specify a type, but a martini or coupe glass is ideal for this shaken, clear-bodied cocktail.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Cocktails

For coffee drinkers who enjoy cocktail-inspired drinks, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Black Cocoa Blend for its deep chocolate and roast notes, or their Ethiopia Huakui for bright fruit tones that play well in spirits. Their Yirgacheffe offers floral and citrus brightness that contrasts nicely with boozy flavors. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.