A coffee cocktail is an easy way to round off Christmas dinner. Each recipe below takes about five minutes and works with or without an espresso machine.

We’ve paired every drink with one of our Christmas coffees, and there’s an alcohol-free option for anyone skipping the booze.

Key takeaways

• Baileys and coffee pair well because the cream liqueur adds sweetness and body that balance coffee’s natural bitterness.
• You don’t need an espresso machine. A stovetop Moka Pot or an AeroPress makes a strong enough base.
• For a Baileys flat white martini, let the coffee cool for a few minutes before shaking so the ice doesn’t over-dilute the drink.
• The simplest Christmas coffee cocktail is hot Baileys coffee: 50ml Baileys stirred into a mug of freshly brewed coffee.
• Use Rich Christmas Decaf for a late-evening drink without the caffeine.

What are the best coffee cocktails for Christmas?

The best Christmas coffee cocktails are creamy and quick to make after a big meal. Baileys is the easiest place to start because it brings sweetness and creaminess in one pour, so it needs very little else.

Here are five to try this year, matched with the coffee we’d use for each.

• Baileys flat white martini. Made with Rich Christmas Espresso and shaken into a chilled coupe.
• Hot Baileys coffee. Made with Rich Christmas Coffee and served hot in a mug.
• Baileys affogato. Made with Rich Christmas Espresso and poured over vanilla ice cream.
• Cold brew White Russian. Made with Fruity Christmas Coffee and served over ice in a short glass.
• Cinnamon decaf shakerato. Made with Rich Christmas Decaf and shaken into a chilled coupe. This one’s alcohol-free.

How do you make a Baileys flat white martini?

Shake 50ml Baileys with 25ml each of vodka and espresso over ice, then strain into a chilled glass. The Baileys gives it the creamy, milky body of a flat white, which is where the name comes from.

Serves: one. Time: five minutes. Glass: coupe or martini glass.

Ingredients

• 50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream.
• 25ml vodka.
• 25ml espresso or strong stovetop coffee, made with Rich Christmas Espresso.
• A large handful of ice.
• Three coffee beans, to garnish.

Method

1. Put your glass in the freezer to chill.
2. Brew the espresso, or make strong coffee in a stovetop pot. Leave it to cool for a few minutes.
3. Add the Baileys, vodka, coffee, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
4. Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
5. Strain into the chilled glass and float three coffee beans on top.

How do you make Baileys coffee?

Pour 50ml Baileys into a warmed mug, top with about 200ml freshly brewed coffee, and stir. It’s the quickest Christmas coffee cocktail there is, and it doesn’t need any special kit.

Serves: one. Time: five minutes, plus brewing. Glass: mug or heatproof glass.

Ingredients

• 200ml freshly brewed Rich Christmas Coffee, made with about 12g ground coffee.
• 50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream.
• 30ml double cream, lightly whipped (optional).
• Freshly grated nutmeg (optional).

Method

1. Brew the coffee in a cafetière or filter brewer.
2. Warm your mug with hot water, then tip the water out.
3. Pour in the Baileys, add the hot coffee, and stir.
4. Spoon the whipped cream gently on top and finish with a little grated nutmeg.

If you’d like a whiskey-based alternative, try our Irish coffee recipe.

How do you make a Baileys affogato?

Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a short glass, pour 50ml Baileys over it, then slowly add a shot of hot espresso. It works as a drink and a dessert at once.

Serves: one. Time: three minutes. Glass: short tumbler or small bowl.

Ingredients

• One scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• 50ml Baileys Original Irish Cream.
• 25ml espresso or strong stovetop coffee, made with Rich Christmas Espresso.

Method

1. Brew the espresso.
2. Add the ice cream to a short glass.
3. Pour the Baileys over the ice cream, then slowly add the hot espresso.
4. Serve straight away, before the ice cream melts.

For the classic version, see our guide on how to make affogato.

How do you make a cold brew White Russian?

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice, top up with cold brew coffee, then float single cream on top. Using cold brew instead of more liqueur gives a drier drink with more coffee flavour.

Serves: one. Time: three minutes, plus cold brew made ahead. Glass: short tumbler.

Ingredients

• 40ml vodka.
• 20ml coffee liqueur.
• 40ml cold brew coffee, made with Fruity Christmas Coffee.
• 30ml single cream.
• Ice.

Method

1. Fill a short glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka and coffee liqueur, then add the cold brew and stir for ten seconds.
3. Pour the cream slowly over the back of a spoon so it sits on top.
4. Stir just before drinking, or serve it layered.

Is there an alcohol-free Christmas coffee cocktail?

Yes. A shakerato is an Italian iced coffee made by shaking espresso hard with ice and sugar until it turns frothy. Our version adds cinnamon and uses decaf, so it suits the end of the evening.

Serves: one. Time: five minutes. Glass: coupe or martini glass.

Ingredients

• 50ml decaf espresso or strong stovetop coffee, made with Rich Christmas Decaf.
• 10ml demerara sugar syrup (equal parts demerara sugar and hot water, stirred until dissolved).
• A pinch of ground cinnamon.
• A large handful of ice.

Method

1. Brew the coffee and pour it straight into a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the syrup and cinnamon, then fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake hard for about 20 seconds, until a thick foam forms.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.

Please drink responsibly. For guidance on alcohol units, visit Drinkaware.

Can you make coffee cocktails without an espresso machine?

Yes. Shaken coffee cocktails need a small amount of strong, concentrated coffee, and you can make that at home without an espresso machine.

• Stovetop pot. A moka pot makes strong, rich coffee that’s the closest match to espresso. Our stovetop brew guide walks you through it.
• AeroPress. Use a fine grind and a high dose of coffee to make a small, concentrated shot.
• Cafetière. Brew with roughly double your usual amount of coffee and use only what you need. It’s best for hot Baileys coffee.
• Cold brew. Steep coarsely ground coffee in cold water overnight in the fridge for the White Russian. See our brew guides for ratios.

Which coffee works best in cocktails?

Rich, chocolatey coffees suit creamy cocktails because they hold their own against Baileys and cream. Fruitier coffees work well in drinks with less dairy, where their brighter notes can come through.

• Rich Christmas Espresso. Notes of rich chocolate orange Use it in the Baileys flat white martini and the Baileys affogato.
• Rich Christmas Coffee. Use it for hot Baileys coffee.
• Fruity Christmas Coffee. Vibrant notes of cherry liqueur. Use it for the cold brew White Russian.
• Rich Christmas Decaf. Indulgent hints of chocolate praline. Use it for the cinnamon decaf shakerato, or swap it into any recipe here after dark.

Whichever you choose, freshly roasted coffee gives you more flavour in the glass. That’s why we send our coffee as soon as its roasted, while it’s at its freshest.

FAQS

How much Baileys should you put in coffee?

Most recipes use 25ml to 50ml of Baileys in a mug of coffee. Start with 25ml if you like your coffee to taste of coffee, and go up to 50ml for something sweeter and creamier.

What’s the difference between a Baileys flat white martini and an espresso martini?

A classic espresso martini shakes vodka and coffee liqueur with fresh espresso, often with a little sugar syrup. The flat white martini swaps the coffee liqueur for Baileys, which makes it creamier and softer. If you want the classic, try our frozen espresso martini.

Can you make coffee cocktails with decaf?

Yes. Decaf works in every recipe here and tastes just as good when it’s freshly roasted. Rich Christmas Decaf is a good choice if you’re serving drinks late in the evening.

Can you make coffee cocktails ahead of time?

You can brew the coffee ahead and keep it in the fridge, but shake or pour each drink just before serving. Shaken drinks lose their foam if they sit, and an affogato needs to be eaten straight away.

Does Baileys go with any coffee?

Baileys goes well with most coffees, but rich, chocolatey roasts are the easiest match. They balance its sweetness without getting lost under the cream.

Find your Christmas coffee

Our Christmas coffees run from rich and chocolatey to bright and fruity, with a decaf for the evening. Explore the Christmas range and pick the one you’d like in your glass this year.