The Espresso Martini has had its moment. And while we’ll never turn one down, coffee cocktails deserve more imagination than a single serve that’s become a little too predictable.
If you love rich espresso, dark spirits and layered flavour, it’s time to experiment with something new. By pairing fresh coffee with premium mixers, you can create long drinks that are refreshing, balanced and far more versatile than the usual short serve.
Here are three coffee cocktails that prove there’s more to the category than the standard martini glass.
The Ginger Zinger Cocktail
Warm, mellow and quietly indulgent, the Ginger Zinger combines dark rum and espresso with the fiery lift of Fentimans Ginger Beer and tropical coconut syrup.
The ginger adds warmth rather than sweetness, balancing the coffee’s bitterness and rum’s caramel notes. The result is a long, easy-drinking cocktail that works just as well in winter as it does on a late summer evening.
Ingredients
- 125ml Fentimans Ginger Beer
- 25ml Espresso (cooled)
- 25ml Dark Rum
- 20ml Monin Coconut Syrup
- Coconut chips to garnish
Method
- Add ice to a tall glass.
- Pour in the dark rum, followed by the cooled espresso and coconut syrup.
- Top with Fentimans Ginger Beer, pouring gently over the back of a spoon.
- Garnish with coconut chips.
The Jigger Espresso Cocktail
For those who enjoy bold flavour combinations, this serve brings citrus, coffee and dark rum together with Fentimans Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger.
The orange adds brightness, chocolate bitters deepen the espresso notes, and the result is complex but refreshing a coffee cocktail that feels far more dynamic than a traditional Espresso Martini. Give The Jigger Espresso Cocktail a try…
Ingredients
- 125ml Fentimans Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger
- 25ml Espresso (cooled)
- 25ml Dark Rum
- 20ml Monin Sugar Syrup
- 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- Orange slice to garnish
Method
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add dark rum, espresso, sugar syrup and chocolate bitters.
- Top with Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
The Rasperry Espresso Cocktail
If you prefer something lighter and more vibrant, our Raspberry Espresso cocktail pairs vodka and espresso with raspberry syrup and Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water.
The tart raspberry base softens the coffee’s intensity, while the tonic’s gentle bitterness keeps the drink crisp and refreshing. It’s indulgent, but not heavy, ideal for those who want a coffee cocktail with a little more lift.
Ingredients
- 100ml Fentimans Premium Indian Tonic Water
- 25ml Espresso
- 25ml Vodka
- 20ml Monin Raspberry Syrup
- Fresh raspberries to garnish
Method
- Add ice to a tall glass.
- Pour in the raspberry syrup to form the base layer.
- Mix vodka and espresso together, then slowly pour over the back of a spoon to layer.
- Top gently with Premium Indian Tonic Water.
- Garnish with fresh raspberries.
Why Premium Mixers Matter in Coffee Cocktails
Coffee is bold by nature. Without balance, it can quickly overpower a drink.
That’s where premium mixers make the difference. Botanically brewed ingredients, natural citrus notes and balanced sweetness ensure the coffee enhances rather than dominates. Whether it’s the warming spice of Ginger Beer, the bright citrus of Mandarin & Seville Orange Jigger, or the crisp bitterness of Premium Indian Tonic Water, the right mixer transforms espresso into something more refined.
If you’re looking for coffee cocktails that go beyond the basic Espresso Martini, these three serves are the perfect place to start.