Let’s Talk Coffee Cocktails: Fun Drinks for Your Bar
Table of Contents
What Are Coffee Cocktails?
Coffee cocktails mix coffee with fun drinks. Bars like them. People like them. They are big hits at bars now!
The market for these drinks is $1.2 billion this year. It will grow more by 2030.
Let’s learn about these yummy drinks!
Why Make Coffee Cocktails?
Bars make lots of money with coffee cocktails. You can mark them up by 300% or 400%!
Here’s why they’re good for your bar:
- People pay more for them
- They are fun and new
- They look cool in pics
- You can sell them all day
Tools You Need
To make good coffee cocktails, you need the right tools.
Must-Have Bar Tools
Here’s what you need:
- Coffee maker or espresso machine
- Good shakers for mixing
- Nice glasses to serve drinks
- Custom bar mats to keep things clean
- Stirrers and picks for garnish
A bar in Shanghai called “Nectar” got new tools for cold brew. They made twice as much money after that!
Top Coffee Cocktail Recipes
The Espresso Martini is the top seller. It makes up 32% of all coffee cocktail sales!
Here are the top 5 drinks your bar should make:
1. Espresso Martini
What you need:
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1 oz fresh espresso
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
How to make it:
- Put all in a shaker with ice
- Shake hard
- Strain into a cold glass
2. Irish Coffee
What you need:
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- 4 oz hot coffee
- 1 oz cream on top
- 1/2 oz brown sugar syrup
How to make it:
- Put whiskey and sugar in a warm glass
- Add hot coffee and stir
- Float cream on top
3. Cold Brew Negroni
What you need:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz cold brew coffee
How to make it:
- Stir all with ice
- Strain into a glass with a big ice cube
- Add orange peel
4. Matcha Espresso Fusion
What you need:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz matcha syrup
- 1 oz espresso
- 1/2 oz cream
How to make it:
- Layer in a clear glass
- Serve with a straw to mix while drinking
5. Zero-Proof Coffee Mocktail
What you need:
- 2 oz cold brew
- 1 oz vanilla syrup
- 1 oz cream
- Soda water
How to make it:
- Mix coffee, vanilla, and cream
- Top with soda
- Add ice and serve
Hot Trends in Coffee Cocktails
The world of coffee drinks keeps changing. Here are the big trends right now:
Green Bar Tools
More bars (58%) now use bamboo picks instead of plastic. This is good for Earth!
Using good tools that last is smart. Our rubber bar mats last for years and look nice too.
New Flavors
People like new and fun tastes:
- CBD in coffee drinks
- Spices from around the world
- Sweet and salty mix-ups
Fancy Ice
Ice is a big deal now! Many bars use:
- Big clear ice cubes
- Ice balls for slow melting
- Ice with things frozen inside
Good ice needs good storage. Custom ice buckets keep ice clean and look nice on the bar.
How to Buy Good Stuff
When you run a bar, you need to get good things at good prices.
Best Places to Buy
Buy from good places that know bars:
| What to Buy | Where to Get It | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee makers | Bar supply shops | Made for heavy use |
| Bar tools | Wholesale suppliers | Better prices |
| Fancy glasses | China suppliers | Custom options |
| Coffee beans | Local roasters | Fresh and unique |
One China supplier helped a bar with custom cocktail picks. Bar sales went up 30%!
Make More Money with Coffee Cocktails
Smart bars know how to make the most money from coffee drinks.
Set Good Prices
Most bars mark up drinks by 300-400%. This is good for coffee drinks too.
For a drink that costs $2 to make, you can charge $8 or more!
Train Your Staff
Bars with trained staff make 25% more money. Make sure your team knows how to:
- Make drinks the right way
- Talk about coffee in a fun way
- Suggest drinks to customers
Show Off Your Drinks
Good-looking drinks sell better:
- Use nice custom bar coasters with your logo
- Take good pictures for social media
- Put drinks in special glasses
What Customers Like
Studies show that 66% of people care most about good drinks. They want:
- Tasty drinks
- Good looks
- New and fun things to try
Make sure you give them what they want!
Best Coffee Cocktails by Time of Day
Different drinks work well at different times:
Morning Drinks
- Irish Coffee
- Coffee Mimosa
Afternoon Drinks
- Iced Coffee Mojito
- Cold Brew Spritz
Night Drinks
- Espresso Martini
- Coffee Old Fashioned
How to Start Selling Coffee Cocktails
Want to add these drinks to your bar? Here’s how:
- Get the right tools – You need good coffee makers and bar tools
- Train your team – They need to know how to make good coffee
- Make a small menu – Start with 3-5 drinks
- Tell people – Use signs and social media
- Get feedback – Ask what people like
Make Your Bar Stand Out
Your bar can be special with coffee drinks. Here’s how:
- Make a signature drink no one else has
- Use local coffee beans
- Have special cups or glasses
- Create fun names for your drinks
Questions People Ask
Do I need an espresso machine?
No! You can use cold brew or other coffee types.
How long does coffee last in the bar?
Cold brew lasts about 1 week. Make fresh hot coffee each day.
What glasses are best for coffee drinks?
Clear glasses show off layers. Warm mugs are good for hot drinks.
Can I make big batches ahead of time?
Yes! Cold brew based drinks work well for this.
End Words
Coffee cocktails are fun and make money. The market is growing fast at 7.8% each year. Now is the time to add them to your bar!
Get the right tools, train your team, and make drinks people will love. Your bar will thank you!
