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Coffee Cocktail

A classic flip of brandy, port, sugar, and egg—coffee-colored, no coffee.

Base spirit
Brandy
Style
Dessert
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Shake

The Coffee Cocktail is an IBA Unforgettable that contains no coffee: brandy and ruby port shaken with sugar and a whole egg into a frothy, mahogany flip. Nutmeg finishes the drink. The name comes from its coffee-like color and after-dinner role, not from espresso.

Coffee Cocktail in a coupe or small wine glass, opaque mahogany foam, nutmeg dust.

Ingredients

Servings
  • • 1 oz brandy
  • • 1 oz ruby port
  • • 1 tsp sugar
  • • 1 whole egg

Did you know?

“Jerry Thomas listed a Coffee Cocktail that looks like coffee but uses brandy, port, and egg—no coffee bean required.”

Source:Jerry Thomas; IBA Unforgettables

Bartender's Note

Dry-shake first for foam, then shake with ice. Ruby port keeps the color deep; tawny reads browner.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Coffee Cocktail

  1. 1 all ingredients without ice
  2. 2Shake hard with ice
  3. 3 into a chilled coupe
  4. 4Dust with nutmeg

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