Cold Brew Coffee Cocktails: 5 Easy Drinks to Make With Your Weekly Batch

These recipes include alcohol. Please drink responsibly and only if you are of legal drinking age in your country.

Cold brew is the easiest batch cocktail ingredient you're probably not using. Make a full batch on Sunday, store it in the fridge, and you've got the base for five different cocktails ready to pour all week. No shakers, no syrups, no complicated prep — just cold brew, a few spirits, and whatever you have in the pantry.

These five recipes are designed around a standard home batch of cold brew — the kind you make in a cold brew maker at drinking strength, not concentrate. If you've been saving cold brew cocktails for cafés, this is the week to start making them at home.

Why Cold Brew Works So Well in Cocktails

Cold brew has three qualities that make it an exceptional cocktail ingredient: it's naturally sweet, it's low in acidity, and it has depth without bitterness. Where hot-brewed iced coffee can turn sharp and acidic when combined with spirits, cold brew stays smooth and integrates cleanly into almost any cocktail base.

The caffeine doesn't hurt either. A cold brew cocktail gives you the pleasant warmth of a drink with a gentle caffeine boost — the combination that turns "one more drink" into a good idea rather than a bad one.

One thing to note if you're using the Ovalware Cold Brew Maker: it brews cold brew at drinking strength (approximately a 1:12 coffee-to-water ratio for the 1.0L maker, 1:14 for the 1.5L), not cold brew concentrate. Many cocktail recipes online call for cold brew concentrate (typically a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio) — if you follow those exactly with regular-strength cold brew, the coffee flavor will be lighter. All five recipes below are written for regular-strength cold brew, so they work perfectly straight from your batch.

What You'll Need

Before getting into individual recipes, here are the basics that show up across most of them:

• A batch of cold brew coffee (34oz from a 1.0L maker or 51oz from a 1.5L maker keeps you set for the week)
• Ice — clear ice looks best in a clear glass, regular ice works fine
• A cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a lid for shaken drinks
• A jigger or measuring spoons
• Spirits as needed per recipe (vodka, bourbon, Irish whiskey, coffee liqueur)

Recipe 1: Cold Brew Espresso Martini

The espresso martini has been the most ordered cocktail in bars worldwide for two years running. The home version using cold brew is easier to make than the café version and just as good — you don't need an espresso machine or a cocktail shaker with a spring strainer. Cold brew gives you the coffee intensity; vodka and coffee liqueur round it into a proper cocktail.

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 90ml (3oz) cold brew coffee
• 45ml (1.5oz) vodka
• 22ml (0.75oz) coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Mr. Black work well)
• 7ml (0.25oz) simple syrup (optional, to taste)
• Ice
• 3 coffee beans to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the cold brew, vodka, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup if using.
3. Shake hard for 15 seconds — you want a good foam on top.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass (no ice in the glass).
5. Garnish with three coffee beans in a triangle formation.

Pro tip: The foam comes from the cold brew proteins agitating with the shaker. If you want more foam, use slightly more vigorous shaking. Chilling the glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before pouring keeps the foam intact longer.

Recipe 2: Cold Brew Old Fashioned

This is arguably the best cold brew cocktail that most people haven't tried yet. The Old Fashioned is already a coffee-forward cocktail — bourbon or rye whiskey has natural caramel and vanilla notes that love coffee. Adding cold brew makes those flavors explicit without overwhelming the whiskey. It's low-effort, no shaker required, and deeply satisfying.

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 60ml (2oz) cold brew coffee
• 60ml (2oz) bourbon (or rye whiskey)
• 7ml (0.25oz) simple syrup or demerara syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice (one large cube if you have it, regular ice if not)
• Orange peel to garnish

Method:

1. Add simple syrup and bitters to a rocks glass and stir briefly.
2. Add the large ice cube (or a handful of regular ice).
3. Pour in the bourbon and cold brew.
4. Stir gently for 10–15 seconds to combine without over-diluting.
5. Garnish with an orange peel — twist it over the glass to express the oils, then run it around the rim.

Pro tip: Use a bourbon with at least 90 proof. Lower-proof bourbons can get lost against the cold brew. Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, or Buffalo Trace all work well. If you prefer rye, Rittenhouse or Bulleit Rye add a spicier note that's excellent with coffee.

Recipe 3: Cold Brew White Russian

The White Russian is one of those cocktails that's easy to dismiss as a bit obvious — until you make it with good cold brew instead of pre-made coffee liqueur. The cold brew version is lighter, less sweet, and genuinely delicious. It's a proper after-dinner drink that doesn't feel heavy.

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 90ml (3oz) cold brew coffee
• 45ml (1.5oz) vodka
• 30ml (1oz) heavy cream or full-fat oat milk (oat milk gives a nuttier, slightly lighter result)
• Ice

Method:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vodka and cold brew and stir briefly.
3. Slowly pour the cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top.
4. Serve unstirred — let the cream slowly sink and blend as you drink.

Variation: Add 15ml of coffee liqueur for extra sweetness and depth. Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom on top of the cream layer for a spiced version that pairs well with the cold brew's natural chocolate notes.

Recipe 4: Irish Cold Brew

Irish Coffee is a classic for a reason — whiskey, coffee, and cream is one of the great flavor combinations. The cold version is lighter and more refreshing, and it works as both a brunch drink and an evening one. It's become a summer staple at bars that take cold coffee seriously.

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 120ml (4oz) cold brew coffee
• 45ml (1.5oz) Irish whiskey (Jameson, Redbreast, or Powers all work)
• 15ml (0.5oz) simple syrup or brown sugar syrup
• 30ml (1oz) lightly whipped cream
• Ice
• A pinch of nutmeg to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a tall glass or a clear mug with ice.
2. Add the Irish whiskey and simple syrup. Stir to combine.
3. Pour in the cold brew and stir gently.
4. Float the lightly whipped cream on top — pour it over the back of a spoon.
5. Dust with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and serve immediately.

Pro tip: Lightly whipped cream (not fully stiff) floats better and creates the classic two-layer look of a traditional Irish Coffee. You drink through the cream — it's meant to be part of every sip, not a separate element.

Recipe 5: Cold Brew Tonic

If the espresso tonic has been having its moment in cafés, the cold brew tonic is the home-brewing equivalent — and it might be the most refreshing drink on this list. Cold brew replaces the espresso, tonic water adds carbonation and a floral bitterness, and the result is a low-effort, endlessly drinkable summer afternoon drink. No spirits required.

Ingredients (1 serving):

• 90ml (3oz) cold brew coffee
• 120ml (4oz) quality tonic water (Fever-Tree or Q Tonic)
• Ice
• Lemon slice or orange peel to garnish
• Optional: 15ml simple syrup or flavored syrup (cardamom, vanilla, or elderflower)

Method:

1. Fill a clear glass with ice.
2. Add the tonic water over the ice — pour gently to preserve the carbonation.
3. Slowly pour the cold brew over the back of a spoon so it layers on top.
4. Add garnish and serve immediately before the layers fully blend.

Variation: Add 45ml of gin (a botanical gin like Hendrick's or Tanqueray No. TEN works beautifully) for a Coffee Gin Tonic. Cardamom bitters or a cardamom simple syrup is excellent in the gin version.

The Cold Brew Maker That Makes All of This Easy

Making cocktails from your own cold brew batch is genuinely easier than it sounds. Brew on Sunday, store in the fridge, and you've got three liters (or more if you're using the 1.5L maker) of ready-to-drink cold brew to pull from all week.

The Ovalware Cold Brew Maker brews cold brew at drinking strength — no dilution needed before drinking or mixing. The borosilicate glass carafe doubles as a serving vessel, the stainless steel filter pulls out cleanly, and the whole thing goes in the dishwasher when you're done.

Feature	Ovalware Cold Brew Maker
Sizes	1.0L / 34oz ($40.99) and 1.5L / 51oz ($46.99)
What it makes	Ready-to-drink cold brew (not concentrate)
Brewing ratio	~85g per liter (1:12) for 1.0L; ~110g per 1.5L (1:14)
Steep time	12–18 hours fridge / 8–12 hours room temp
Carafe material	Borosilicate glass
Filter	Stainless steel fine-mesh
Dishwasher safe	Yes

Shop the Cold Brew Maker →

If you're new to cold brew and want to explore everything you can do with a batch beyond cocktails, our guide to what to add to cold brew coffee covers flavors, syrups, and mix-ins that work well day-to-day.

Batch Cocktail Tips: Making These for a Group

All five cocktails above scale easily for a group. A few tips:

• For the espresso martini and White Russian: Mix the spirits and cold brew in a pitcher and refrigerate. Add ice and cream per glass at serving time — don't pre-mix the cream.
• For the Old Fashioned and Irish Cold Brew: Pre-mix the cold brew and spirits; add bitters, simple syrup, and ice per glass. The cream and cream float in the Irish version should always be added fresh.
• For the cold brew tonic: Keep cold brew and tonic water separate until the moment of pouring — tonic loses carbonation fast once it's open.
• Chill everything: Cold ingredients plus cold brew equals better dilution control. If your cold brew is warm and your spirits are room temp, you need much more ice and the drink gets watered down faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular-strength cold brew instead of cold brew concentrate in cocktail recipes?

Yes — the recipes on this page are all written for regular-strength cold brew at approximately a 1:12 coffee-to-water ratio. If a recipe from another source calls for cold brew concentrate, you can use regular-strength cold brew and just use a slightly larger volume of it (roughly 2x the volume the recipe calls for) to get a similar coffee intensity. Or use it as-is for a lighter, more refreshing cocktail.

Does coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) replace cold brew in cocktails?

No — coffee liqueur is a sweetened spirit with coffee flavor, not a coffee base. It adds sweetness, coffee aroma, and alcohol. Cold brew adds actual coffee flavor, depth, and a small amount of caffeine without all the added sugar. The best coffee cocktails typically use both: cold brew for coffee backbone, coffee liqueur for sweetness and spirit integration.

How long does cold brew last in the fridge for cocktail use?

Made with good technique, cold brew stays fresh and flavorful in the fridge for 7–14 days. For cocktail mixing, aim to use it within 10 days for best flavor. If it smells flat or has a papery, musty note, it's past its prime — brew a fresh batch.

What's the caffeine content of a cold brew cocktail?

A 90–120ml pour of regular-strength cold brew contains roughly 60–90mg of caffeine, depending on the beans and brew ratio. That's roughly equivalent to a regular cup of coffee spread across a cocktail serving. The alcohol will offset some of the stimulant effects of the caffeine, but it's worth keeping in mind if you're making these in the evening.

Can I make cold brew cocktails without any spirits?

Absolutely. The cold brew tonic (Recipe 5) is already spirit-free and one of the most refreshing drinks on the list. Any of the five recipes can be made without alcohol by replacing the spirit with a non-alcoholic spirit alternative (Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof, Lyre's), or by simply skipping the spirits and adjusting the other proportions. The flavors of cold brew, cream, and garnishes stand on their own.

 

Sources: Imbibe Magazine, "Cold Brew Cocktails" (2024); Punch, "The Cold Brew Cocktail Moment"; Food & Wine, coffee cocktail feature (2025); National Coffee Association, caffeine content guidelines; Liquor.com, espresso martini history; Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur brand notes; SCA Cold Brew Guidelines (2021).