The Original Whiskey Cocktail Gets Extra Buzz With Coffee Liqueur

The Coffee Old Fashioned is a riff on the iconic classic, combining rye whiskey with coffee liqueur and orange bitters. 

The classic Old Fashioned, arguably the most famous whiskey cocktail, evolved from what was originally known as the Whiskey Cocktail in the early 19th century. This iteration was comprised of whiskey, bitters, water, and lump sugar (or rock sugar). As bartenders experimented with the formula, adding different liqueurs and vermouths, the original, basic recipe became referred to as the “old-fashioned” way to make the drink. By the end of the century, the Old Fashioned became a category of its own, with an option to choose the base spirit when ordering: brandy, gin or whiskey were the most popular. Somewhere along the way, the whiskey base stuck. 

Since its creation, bartenders have been riffing on the Old Fashioned template, swapping the primary spirit, changing up the sweetening agent, and modifying the bitters and garnish to create an entirely new variation. The modern classic, Oaxaca Old Fashioned, for example, utilizes tequila and mezcal as its foundation, agave nectar to sweeten, Angostura bitters for seasoning, and a flamed orange peel garnish. 

This recipe, taken from my 2021 cocktail book, Mixology for Beginners, starts with a spicy rye whiskey and uses coffee liqueur as the sweet element, alongside bright orange bitters and a twist of orange.

Why the Coffee Old Fashioned works

Whiskey and coffee complement each other well. They are a rich and complex match, often paired with one another in cocktails, liqueurs and dessert recipes. A spicy, full-bodied rye whiskey can particularly enhance the bold, nutty notes in a coffee liqueur. The shared aromatics offer up a layered sipping experience. 

Orange bitters and zest help to highlight the citrus flavors in the whiskey, lending further complexity and acidity, while brightening the overall drink.