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Saturday Spirits

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Coffee is basically life… amiright? Well, it is pretty important in MY life if it isn’t quite an equivalent. I have coffee EVERY day. When I don’t want caffeine I drink decaf coffee. Coffee is a must. It is only natural that I bring my love of coffee and my love of cocktails together at times in creating tasty spiked coffee cocktails for brunches or night caps to fabulous dinner parties. While I absolutely love to craft wonderful more complicated coffee cocktails (and will share some of my favorite recipes soon) today’s post is sharing some of my favorite liquors to spike a coffee with to make a simple and satisfying coffee drink.

 

Spiked Coffee Ideas from A Well Crafted Party

Easy to Make Spiked Coffee

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To make spiked coffee you simply need to make a good cup of coffee— we typically use our french press* or pour-over*, but any good coffee maker will do— and introduce your favorite liquor. You can add cream and sugar (if needed) but, mainly, it is all about the coffee and liquor!

My favorite Coffee Add-Ins:

  • Amaretto — I’ve already professed my love for Amaretto in a past post. Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavored liquor. This is good all by its lonesome with coffee or with just a touch of cream. (Side note: Amaretto makes an awesome ice cream topper too!)
  • Irish Cream — typically I use Bailey’s, but you can absolutely make your own Irish Cream! Irish Cream is just a mixture of cream, Irish Whiskey, and flavors of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla typically. If you use this in your coffee you can skip the cream and sugar entirely! Of course… you can always just spike your coffee with Irish Whiskey and add in the cream and sugar as needed. You won’t have some of the other flavors, but it will still be a delicious treat.
  • Coffee Liqueur— Some people think it is a tad silly to spike a coffee with a coffee flavored liqueur, but I think it is delicious. You can add in a touch of Kahlua or (one of my favorites) Crater Lake Spirit’s Hazelnut Espresso Vodka with a bit of cream and make a wonderfully decadent coffee. 
  • Green Walnut Liqueur— What? I had never even heard of green walnut liqueur until a recent tasting introduced me to Stone Barn Brandyworks’ Nocino. We bought it on the spot. I’ve found that this is one of my favorite mixers in my coffee. A little Nocino, almond milk creamer, and coffee and you have a tasty night cap on your hands!
  • Whiskey— There is nothing more classic (or satisfying) than a bit of whiskey spiking a cup of coffee. This is a favorite treat especially while camping or sitting around a fire pit!

 

Spiked Coffee Ideas from A Well Crafted Party

 

 

Okay, now I’m off to enjoy my Saturday. I’ve got my bullet journal (hello new organizing obsession), pens, and my favorite mug ready to go. Well, that and a splash of something tasty in my coffee. It is Saturday, after all!

 


What is your favorite way to spike your coffee?

I know that I just shared my favorite summer batch cocktails last week… but, suddenly, it feels like Fall! There is just something about Fall that makes me happy at the very simple joys in life such as drinking a warm cup of creamy coffee with a crisp chill in the air. The inherent cheer of Fall for me is undoubtedly influenced, at least in part, by idea of the return of all my favorite fall cocktails. While I tend to lean towards gin or fruity, sweet concoctions during the Spring and Summer months, as the air gets cooler and the leaves begin to change I suddenly crave bourbon and more complex, rich flavors.

My Favorite Fall Cocktails

Below are some of the cocktails I’ve shared on my blog that just really hit the spot during the Fall months. Some of them may even run into winter, but I can drink them anytime the weather hits below 70!

Amaretto Sour

Amaretto Sour

I’ve always believed drinking a good Amaretto Sour felt like enjoying a really great make-out-session. Don’t believe me? Make one and find out!

 

Salted Caramel Hot Toddy

Salted Caramel Apple Hot Toddy

The colder it gets outside the more I love to cuddle up with a good blanket and a hot drink. Teas, coffees, ciders… I have no favorites. Hot Toddy’s tend to be on a regular rotation at my house when the temps get cooler. This rendition blends in some of my favorite fall flavors with a classic.

 

Classic Manhattan | Photo by Mary Boyden | Recipe on A Well Crafted Party
Classic Manhattan photo by Mary Boyden

 

Classic Manhattan

Speaking of classics… a Classic Manhattan is one of my top five Fall night cap beverages. A classic cocktail is a great way to give a nod to the past as you celebrate the future. Perfect for Fall!

 

Pear Apple Sangria

 

Pear Apple Sangria

I had a really difficult time figuring out the name for this drink. It is similar to a punch, but I made it in singles. Sort of a sangria, but I don’t know many sangrias with bourbon in them. So, name it whatever you want… but, it is a tasty fall beverage!

 

 

Greek Martini
Greek Martini photo by Macy Snelson

Greek Martini

I could possibly drink a greek martini every night if it weren’t a tad unhealthy to do nightly. I love the salty flavor of the greek olive juice paired with vodka. I’ll go more towards a classic martini or a martini with a twist in the hotter months. But, as soon as the cooler weather hits, hand me a dirty greek martini!

 

Old Irish Whiskey Cocktail

 

Old Irish Whiskey Cocktail

Before reading Savory Cocktails by Greg Henry (affiliate link) I probably never would have thought to include cloves in a cocktail. The smokey deliciousness of cloves pairs ever so nicely with the orange and whiskey flavors of this cocktail.

 

These are just a few of my favorite fall cocktails. I can’t wait to come up with more fun fall flavors to share!

What is your favorite fall cocktail?

Labor Day is the unofficial last day of Summer in our house. Portland’s weather has already given us a small taste of Fall (which was glorious) but, we are going to hang on to the last bit of Summer as long as we can with a fun BBQ with friends, some hikes, and (for me) working on my computer outside. To celebrate this weekend, I’ll be making up a big batch of one of my favorite summer cocktails!

Cocktails that can be made in bulk are one of my favorites for parties so that I don’t spend the entire night playing bartender. Below are some of my favorite summer cocktails that can be made by the pitcher!

Favorite Summer Cocktails

 

Summer cocktails for me typically are a mix of sweet and sour flavors. They often have a selection of herbs or fruit muddled in. Nearly all of my favorite summer cocktails can be made in batches and served to a crowd.

Vodka Slushies

 

These are SO tasty and easy to make. Just increase all of the ingredients to make a pitcher worth of slushies. Hand them out quick though… they will melt!

Vodka Slushies

Gin Mint Lemonade

 

A mint simple syrup brings this lemonade based cocktail over the top flavor wise.

Gin Mint Lemonade

 

Peach Bourbon Iced Tea

 

This one is PERFECT for a batch cocktail. Simply multiply all ingredients by 8 and put in a pitcher. Pour over ice, stir and enjoy!

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Herbal Gin and Tonic

 

Gin is absolutely my liquor of choice over the summer months. This cocktail is so easy to customize as well!

GinandTonicSummerSipper-002

 

Jalapeno Margarita

 

Spicy margaritas, well… spicy cocktails in general, are my favorites. I love the little bit of a kick that pairs so well with the sweet and sour of a this margarita.

AWCP-JalapenoMargaritaPinterest

 

Beergarita

 

Margaritas are just so good for batch cocktails. They are easy to put together and don’t need a bunch of shaking or added elements to be ready to go. This beergarita gives a little carbonation to the traditional margarita.

Beergarita

 

Spiked Arnold Palmer

 

This is absolutely one of my favorite camping cocktails. Lemonade, tea, and bourbon make for a lovely combination.

Spiked Arnold Palmer the perfect camping cocktail from A Well Crafted Party

Spiked Ice Cream 

 

One of my favorite summer party treats involves mixing ice cream (or sorbet) with my favorite liquors. This sweet treat is easy to make and only needs a few hours in the freezer to firm up!

Spiked Ice Cream from A Well Crafted Party

 

What is your favorite summer cocktail to serve to a crowd?