There is a better espresso cocktail out there than the espresso martini, and it's this bourbon espresso old fashioned! This delicious cocktail combines sweet bourbon, freshly brewed espresso, brown sugar syrup, and chocolate bitters!
I am such a fan of old fashioneds, and this version with espresso, brown sugar, and a hint of chocolate is my favorite espresso drink.
Bourbon espresso is such a good flavor combination that it isn't used enough, in my opinion. There are a lot of coffee-infused whiskeys out there, but not enough cocktails that combine coffee and bourbon. And with the popularity of the espresso martini, I think it espresso old fashioned's time to shine!
Making a delicious old fashioned is an art form and takes just the right balance of ingredients to get it right; in this recipe, we perfectly balance coffee, bourbon, and brown sugar but also, check out our How to make a perfect Old Fashioned post or this banana bread old fashioned.
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⭐ Why you will love this recipe:
- Perfect for bourbon and espresso lovers! This cocktail packs a punch of both bourbon and espresso.
- A great alternative for espresso martini lovers! This cocktail has a lot of the same delicious elements as the infamous cocktail but with a bourbon twist!
- It's so easy! This is so easy to make and can all be assembled in one glass.
🥘 Key Ingredients:
Bourbon: Bourbon is the key ingredient in any old-fashioned, so using the best one that goes well with the espresso and brown sugar is key. A sweet but well-balanced bourbon our favorite.
🥃 What is the best bourbon for this cocktail?
Old Forester 1910 is our favorite bourbon because it's so smooth, well-rounded, and sweet. But this cocktail would blend so well with almost any bourbon that Woodford Reserve would be another great basic option.
Espresso: a single shot of freshly brewed espresso is the coffee element used in the cocktail. Using true espresso is key; I would not substitute for regular drip coffee as it's not as strong.
Brown sugar syrup: we used a homemade brown sugar simple syrup that is 1 cup water to 1 cup brown sugar. But a store-bought version works great as well!
Bitters: We used chocolate bitters to finish this drink, and the subtle hint of chocolate really rounds out the cocktail.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 How to make this recipe:
Step 1: Add ice to a rocks glass and top with bourbon.
Step 2: Top with brown sugar syrup.
Step 3: Top with espresso and chocolate bitters, then stir.
Step 4: Garnish with chocolate shavings and espresso beans.
💭 Expert Tips:
Suggested Barware: Use a jigger to measure your bourbon and syrup accurately. Also, using a cocktail stirrer is beneficial because it fits so well around the ice.
Ice: Use a large ice cube because it melts slower and is less likely to dilute the drink.
Make your own syrup: making your own brown sugar syrup is so easy and cost-effective. Just cook 1 cup water and 1 cup brown sugar until all the sugar has melted, then let cool.
💬 FAQ
Yes, bourbon and espresso make a delicious combination. Combine the two with a little brown sugar, and you have a really tasty trio!
Any ice you have on hand will work perfectly well, but we prefer a large ice cube because it melts slower and is less likely to dilute the cocktail.
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Bourbon Espresso Old Fashioned
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 glass 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: American
Description
There is a better espresso cocktail out there than the espresso martini, and it's this bourbon espresso old fashioned! This delicious cocktail combines sweet bourbon, freshly brewed espresso, brown sugar syrup, and chocolate bitters!
Ingredients
Brown Sugar Syrup (if making)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup water
For the cocktail:
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1.5 ounces (1 shot) of freshly brewed espresso
- ¾ ounce brown sugar syrup
- 2 dashes of chocolate bitters
Instructions
- If making homemade brown sugar syrup (store-bought works great, too!), add the brown sugar and water to a saucepan and cook on medium until all the sugar has dissolved. Set aside and let cool.
- Brew the espresso and let it cool slightly.
- Add ice to a rocks glass and top with the bourbon, syrup, espresso, and bitters.
- Stir to combine.
- Garnish with shaved chocolate and 3 espresso beans.
Notes
*Simple syrup makes between 8-10 cocktails.
*Store syrup refrigerated in a container for up 1 month
elizabeth says
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Leigh Kraus says
This was such a nice alternative to my vodka espresso martini. I just loved your recipe! Thank you for sharing it.
David says
This is tasty... Going into the regular cocktail rotation!
Pate Giltner says
Im so glad you liked it!!