Espresso Yourself: Mood-Boosting Recipes For International Coffee Day

Last Updated:October 01, 2025, 21:45 IST

From bright and refreshing highballs to decadent and enjoyable desserts, these recipes pair the rich, distinctive character of whiskies with the bold aroma and warmth of coffee.

These sips bring joy, flavour, and a touch of indulgence.

This International Coffee Day, raise a toast to coffee in a whole new way with cocktails that blend its bold aroma and warmth with the rich character of whisky. From refreshing highballs to indulgent dessert-style sips, these recipes reimagine coffee as both comfort and celebration. Whether you’re craving a light afternoon lift, a roasted kick, or a sweet evening indulgence, these four creations promise flavour, joy, and just the right touch of decadence.

1. Celtic Cold Brew Highball

A refreshing blend of coffee and whisky, the Celtic Cold Brew Highball is crafted with DEWAR’s 12 Year Old, cold brew, and a touch of vanilla, topped up with a splash of tonic water. Light and bright, it’s the kind of cocktail that makes coffee an all-day companion, not just a morning ritual.

Flavour: Bright & Refreshing

Ingredients:

• 45 ml DEWAR’s 12 Year Old
• 75 ml Cold Brew Coffee
• 10 ml Vanilla Syrup
• Tonic Water (top up)

Method: Build Up

Garnish: Long expressed orange zest ribbon, coiled inside the glass.

Glassware: Highball

2. Heather & Roast Irish Coffee

A warming classic with an Irish twist, the Heather & Roast Irish Coffee combines the smooth, nuanced character of Teeling Small Batch with hot filter coffee, rich demerara syrup, and a silky float of cream. This cocktail is comfort in a cup, enjoyable for slow sipping on cool evenings or for an indulgent nod to International Coffee Day.

Flavour: Warm & Indulgent

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Teeling Small Batch
• 90 ml Hot Filter Coffee
• 15 ml Demerara Syrup
• 25 ml Lightly Whipped Cream (float)

Method: Build whisky, coffee, and syrup in a glass and stir. Gently float the cream over the back of a spoon.

Garnish: Grated heather honeycomb (if available) or nutmeg

Glassware: Irish coffee glass or handled glass mug

3. Highland Affogato

Decadent, indulgent, and irresistibly coffee-forward, the Highland Affogato blends the rich complexity of Dewar’s 15 Year Old with amaro, creamy vanilla gelato, and a shot of hot espresso. Finished with shaved dark chocolate, orange zest, and a biscotti stick, it’s a dessert cocktail that’s both playful and sophisticated and enjoyed in style.

Flavour: Rich & Indulgent

Ingredients:

• 45 ml Dewar’s 15 Year Old
• 20 ml Amaro
• 1 scoop Vanilla Gelato
• 30 ml Hot Espresso

Method: Build directly in a stemmed dessert coupe. Pour hot espresso over gelato before serving.

Garnish: Shaved dark chocolate + grated orange zest over the ice cream, biscotti stick on the rim

Glassware: Stemmed dessert coupe

4. Bitter Brew Boulevardier

A bold, brooding twist on a classic, the Bitter Brew Boulevardier combines the richness of Dewar’s 12 Year Old with cold brew concentrate, sweet vermouth, and Italian bitter liqueur. The result is a rich, roasted, and well-balanced pour, ideal for those who prefer their coffee cocktails with a dash of intensity and sophistication.

Flavour: Bold & Roasted

Ingredients:

• 30 ml Dewar’s 12 Year Old
• 15 ml Cold Brew Concentrate
• 25 ml Martini Rosso
• 25 ml Italian Bitter Liqueur

Method: Stirred

Garnish: Aromatic mist of coffee tincture & dehydrated orange wheel

Glassware: Old Fashioned

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Author: News18