Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters
A bold cocktail blending rich espresso with smooth bourbon and a hint of citrus from orange bitters, perfect for an evening imbibing experience. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together bourbon, freshly brewed espresso, dashes orange bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- as needed ice cubes
- 1 twist orange peel
Instructions
- Step 1: Brew 1 oz of fresh espresso and allow it to cool slightly while preparing the cocktail.
- Step 2: Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes to chill it thoroughly, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz cooled espresso, 0.5 oz simple syrup, and 3 dashes of orange bitters into the chilled mixing glass.
- Step 4: Stir gently for 20 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted, enhancing smoothness.
- Step 5: Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with 1 twist of orange peel, expressing its oils over the drink for aroma.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters?
Refrigerate any leftover espresso-infused bourbon cocktail with orange bitters in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Espresso-Infused Bourbon Cocktail with Orange Bitters?
General cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
