Updated 4/10/2023 by: Christian Hall

Smooth, creamy, with a hint of sweetness: cold brew is the perfect addition to spice up a cocktail. With a suite of complex flavors and less acidity than hot coffee, cold brew can add rich, coffee notes to non-traditional "coffee cocktails," while acting as a smoother alternative to the caffeinated classics! In this article we offer five cold brew cocktails: some new takes on old favorites and some entirely new. And while a few of these recipes may be more familiar than others, all of them are sure to satisfy. Enjoy!

Photo: Lizzie Munro

1. Cold Brew Martini

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Commonwealth Joe Cold Brew Coffee
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (e.g., Kahlúa)
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Coffee beans (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the cold brew, vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
4. Garnish with a few coffee beans.

Photo by Kirbie

2. Cold Brew Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 4 oz Commonwealth Joe Cold Brew Coffee
• 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 oz heavy cream, lightly whipped

Instructions:

1. In a heatproof glass, combine the cold brew and brown sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the Irish whiskey and stir gently.
3. Top the drink with the lightly whipped heavy cream.

Photo by Rennai Hoefer

3. Cold Brew Negroni

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Commonwealth Joe Cold Brew Coffee
• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange peel (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine the cold brew, gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir gently for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute the mixture.
3. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with a large ice cube or fresh ice.
4. Express the orange peel over the drink by giving it a good twist, then use it as a garnish.

Photo by Taylor J. Harbin

4. “Cold Fashioned”

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Commonwealth Joe Cold Brew Coffee
• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange peel (for garnish)
• Luxardo cherry (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine the bourbon, simple syrup, and bitters.
2. Add the cold brew and stir to combine.
3. Strain the mixture into a glass filled with a large ice cube.
4. Express the orange peel over the drink and garnish with the orange peel and a Luxardo cherry.

Photo by Jamie Vespa

5. Cold Brew White Russian

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Commonwealth Joe Cold Brew Coffee
• 1.5 oz vodka
• 1.5 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz heavy cream
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine the cold brew, vodka, and coffee liqueur.
2. Fill a rocks glass with ice and pour the mixture over the ice.
3. Float the heavy cream on top of the drink by slowly pouring it over the back of a spoon.

Enjoy Responsibly!

No matter which cocktail you choose, when looking for your cold brew mixer, look no further than Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters. Commonwealth Joe brews award-winning, specialty cold brew that tastes just as good straight as it does in your martini.

Check out Commonwealth Joe’s roasted coffee beans, boxed cold brew, cold brew on tap, and so much more!