Coffee Old Fashioned

The Coffee Old Fashioned is a modern take on one of the world's most iconic whiskey cocktails. By replacing sugar with MiBebee Coffee Liqueur, crafted from 100% Kenyan Arabica coffee, this version adds layers of roasted coffee, dark chocolate and caramel while preserving the character of a classic Old Fashioned.

Perfect as an after-dinner drink or evening sipper, it's a cocktail that rewards simplicity and quality ingredients.

FLAVOUR - DARK Chocolate, Caramel, ROASTED COFFEE, ORANGE ZEST  

50ML Bourbon Whiskey

20ML MiBebee Coffee Liqueur

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Orange Peel

Large Ice Cube

INGREDIENTS

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Serves: 1

Glassware: Old Fashioned (Rocks Glass)

Spirit: Bourbon Whiskey

Liqueur: MiBebee Coffee Liqueur

Garnish: Orange Peel

Occasion: After Dinner • Evening Sipper • Whiskey Lovers

Flavour Profile: Rich • Roasted Coffee • Dark Chocolate • Caramel

KEY FACTS

follow our step-by-step guide

  • Person pouring ice into a metal cocktail shaker at a bar, with a cocktail glass nearby.

    STEP 1 - Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes

    Place a few large ice cubes in a shaker. Large ice cubes work best because they melt more slowly, preventing the drink from becoming too diluted.

  • A bartender pouring MiBebee Coffee Liqueur.

    Step 2 - Add MiBebee Coffee Liqueur

    Pour 1 part (30ML / 1 oz)  MiBebee Coffee Liqueur over the ice. MiBebee Coffee Liqueur is the signature ingredient that gives the espresso martini its unique taste.

  • A bartender pours vodka from a bottle into a cocktail shaker in a bar setting with MiBebee Coffee Liqueur .

    Step 3 - Pour in the Absolut Vodka

    Add 1 part (30ML / 1 oz) vodka to the shaker. The vodka will mix naturally with the MiBebee Coffee Liqueur and round out the flavour of your drink.

  • Bartender pouring MiBebee coffee from a white mug into a metal shaker, with bottles of Absolut Vodka and a MiBebee Coffee liqueur on a bar setting.

    Step 4. Add the espresso

    Slowly pour 1 part (30 ML / 1 oz) of fresh (cooled) espresso. We use our MiBebee AB coffee.

  • A bartender pouring a cocktail shaker over a glass, with bottles of vodka and liquor to make MiBebee Espresso Martini cocktail.

    Step 5 - Shake hard for 15-20 seconds.

    You’ll know you’re done when the outside of the shaker has started to frost and your hands start to feel cold. Remember, practice makes perfect.

  • A bartender pours fresh MiBebee espresso from a metal portafilter into a glass, creating a layer of crema on top.

    STEP 6 - Strain into a martini glass.

    Use a fine strainer to pour your mixture into the glass. This keeps any ice shards out and helps create the froth.

  • Garnishing a MiBebee Espresso Martini cocktail with coffee beans.

    STEP 7 - Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

    Coffee beans give the Espresso Martini its iconic look. The beans represent health, wealth and happiness. But we think they add an elegant touch.

About the Espresso Martini

A bottle of coffee liqueur labeled "MiBebee Coffee Espresso Martini" and a cocktail glass with a dark coffee drink garnished with coffee beans, sitting on a brick ledge near the water at sunset.

The Espresso Martini is a deliciously smooth and indulgent cocktail where the intense boldness of coffee meets the elegance of a classic drink.

It’s a delightful blend of espresso, MiBebee Coffee Liquer and Absolut Vodka, shaken to frothy perfection.

Perfect for coffee lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike, this icon is tasty, edgy and sophisticated.

The History of the Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is one of the world's most iconic coffee cocktails. It was created in London in 1983 by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell, who was asked by a customer for a drink that would "wake me up, then..."—a request that has since become cocktail folklore.

Bradsell combined freshly brewed espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur and a touch of sugar before shaking the mixture over ice to create a rich, velvety cocktail with a signature crema. Originally known as the Vodka Espresso, the drink later evolved into the Espresso Martini, becoming a modern classic enjoyed in bars around the world.

Today, the Espresso Martini continues to be celebrated for its perfect balance of bold coffee flavour and smooth spirits. At MiBebee, we've reimagined this timeless cocktail using our Coffee Liqueur, crafted with 100% Kenyan Arabica coffee sourced directly from our family farm. The result is a richer, more complex Espresso Martini with natural notes of dark chocolate, caramel and blackcurrant—bringing the exceptional character of Kenyan coffee to one of the world's favourite cocktails.