Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned
A rich and smooth reinterpretation of the Old Fashioned, marrying bourbon with cold brew coffee and a touch of vanilla sweetness. This cocktails-inspired quick meals ready in about 5 minutes pairs bourbon whiskey, cold brew coffee concentrate, dashes Angostura bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 whiskey
- 1 oz cold brew coffee concentrate
- 1/4 oz vanilla simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water infused with vanilla bean)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large ice cube
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice, combine 2 oz bourbon whiskey, 1 oz cold brew coffee concentrate, 1/4 oz vanilla simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters.
- Step 3: Stir gently for 30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the cocktail over the large ice cube in the rocks glass.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the drink by twisting it skin-side down to release its oils, then rub the peel around the rim and rest it on the glass edge.
- Step 6: Serve immediately to enjoy the velvety layers of coffee, vanilla, and bourbon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bourbon whiskey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned?
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 Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned 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 Velvety Coffee Old Fashioned?
Cocktails quick meals 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.
