Tag Archives: Coffee

Coffee Ice Cubes for Iced Coffees & More

Pouring liqueurs over easy to make Coffee Ice Cubes – photo by Cheri Loughlin

Pouring liqueurs over easy to make Coffee Ice Cubes – photo by Cheri Loughlin

Recently frozen coffee ice cubes on Pinterest caught my eye. I don’t know about you, but most mornings in my home begin with a pot of fresh brewed coffee. At the end of the morning there is usually a little left in the bottom of the pot. I use a Capresso coffee maker that comes with a stainless steel thermal carafe. The carafe keeps my coffee hot and fresh for hours. It seems such a waste to pour fresh coffee down the drain. So when I saw the coffee ice cubes on Pinterest the creative wheels in my head started turning, leading me along a creative path to wonderful drinks I could make with frozen coffee cubes.

Making Coffee Ice Cubes

Coffee Ice Cubes are easy to make using fresh brewed coffee or left over coffee. - photo by Cheri Loughlin

Coffee Ice Cubes are easy to make using fresh brewed coffee or left over coffee. – photo by Cheri Loughlin

Really, what’s not to love?! Making coffee ice cubes is easy. Just pour fresh coffee into ice cube trays. Cover with plastic wrap so crumbs or odors from the freezer don’t get trapped in the ice. It takes roughly 4 to 6 hours for the coffee ice cubes to freeze. Take the cubes out of the tray and place them into a freezer safe container. Seal until ready to use. Make some more!

Recommended Ice Cube Trays

Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Trays make uniform square ice. I just think that's cool! But use whatever ice tray you prefer. There are lots of great choices. - photo by Cheri Loughlin

Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Trays make uniform square ice. I just think that’s cool! But use whatever ice tray you prefer. There are lots of great choices. – photo by Cheri Loughlin

I use Tovolo Perfect Cube Ice Trays. The Tovolo trays are easy to use, flexible and I can throw them in the dishwasher when I’m done. I also love that the Tovolo makes perfect little squares. But use whatever ice tray you like the best. The OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray also looks like it might be a good choice, but I haven’t used that one. It has an easy-release sliding lid so liquids won’t slosh out while carrying the tray from counter to freezer. It’s also stackable with the built in lid. You can’t do that so easily with the Tovolo tray.

Coffee Ice Cube Drink Ideas

Try Coffee Ice Cubes in Black Russians, White Russians or throw Coffee Ice Cubes in the blender with Mudslide ingredients and Vanilla Ice Cream for a wonderful recipe variation. - photo by Cheri Loughlin

Try Coffee Ice Cubes in Black Russians, White Russians or throw Coffee Ice Cubes in the blender with Mudslide ingredients and Vanilla Ice Cream for a wonderful recipe variation. – photo by Cheri Loughlin

There are many drink possibilities with coffee ice cubes. One of my biggest pet peeves about iced coffee drinks is how watered down they get before getting halfway through the drink. The first no-brainer is to start replacing regular ice with coffee ice cubes in any iced coffee recipe whether it contains alcohol or no alcohol. Instead of watered down iced coffee, the melting coffee cubes give more coffee flavor to the drink.

Add coffee ice cubes to traditional cocktails such as Black Russians and White Russians.

Use coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice for coffee flavored blender drinks like a frozen Mudslide or slushies.

Dreamy Iced Coffee

Dreamy Iced Coffee using easy to make Coffee Ice Cubes. Recipe & photo by Cheri Loughlin, Corporate Mixologist & Photographer

Dreamy Iced Coffee using easy to make Coffee Ice Cubes. Recipe & photo by Cheri Loughlin, Corporate Mixologist & Photographer

Dreamy Iced Coffee – created by Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist

6 to 8 Coffee Ice Cubes

2 ounces Unsweetened Almond Milk

1-1/2 ounce Irish Cream Liqueur

1/4 ounce Hazelnut Liqueur

Whipped Cream & Shaved Chocolate – optional garnish

Fill tall glass with coffee ice cubes. Add almond milk. Top with liqueurs. Stir. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate if desired. Relax with a good book while your coffee ice cubes melt into sheer liquid pleasure. [I used Carolans Irish Cream. It’s a little less sweet and less thick than Baileys Irish Cream. The Irish Cream measurement might need to be altered a little bit depending upon the brand you use.]

Frozen Blender Variation: Place coffee ice cubes and liquids in blender. Add 1 to 2 Tablespoons Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Blend until smooth. It might be necessary to add a tiny bit more almond milk in case the mixture is too thick. Pour into tall glass or decorative glass. Top with dollop of whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2013 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Concannon Irish Whiskey & a True Irish Coffee

St. Patrick’s Day tradition brings to mind corn beef and cabbage, leprechauns, green beer, Irish soda bread and of course Irish Coffee. Irish Coffee started in the early 40’s in Ireland and was introduced in America in 1952. It has since become synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day.

John Concannon,Brand Ambassador to Concannon Irish Whiskey and 4th Generation Vintner, met up with Larry Silva, the general manager of Buena Vista Café in San Francisco, the birthplace of Irish Coffee in America, to see how a true Irish Coffee with Concannon should be made. Watch the video for Larry’s suggestions and watch how easy and fast multiple Irish Coffees can be whipped up just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Concannon True Irish Coffee

6 ounce coffee glass – preheated. 2 sugar cubes. Couple ounces fresh hot coffee – stir to dissolve sugar. Generous helping of Concannon Irish Whiskey. Top with lightly blended heavy cream.

Concannon Irish Coffee 600

Easy! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Photo provided by The Baddish Group

But St. Patrick’s Day goes on all day. Pace yourself! You’re going to want even more recipes. Keep reading!

Concannon Irish Whiskey is an independent spirit of Ireland developed as a joint collaboration between Livermore Valley-based Concannon Vineyard and Ireland’s Cooley distillery.

Concannon Irish Whiskey 031 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin copy

Concannon Irish Whiskey is a refined blend of malted barley and corn, craft distilled for proper balance of character and purity. It is matured in bourbon barrels for a minimum of four years, then mellowed in Concannon Petite Sirah wine barrels for four months before blending. John Concannon refers to this as the “Concannon Effect.” This process gives Concannon Irish Whiskey its unique fruity character and full, clean balanced taste. ~ Information from product facts

80 Proof / 40% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $25 range / 750ml

Availability: Nationally distributed in the U.S. since 2012.

Concannon Irish Whiskey received Best New Irish Whiskey of the Year in 2012 from the International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Concannon Irish Whiskey 027 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin copy

Concannon Irish Whiskey Official Brand Tasting Notes

Visual: Light golden wheat

Aroma: Toasted malt, red fruit and vanilla

Palate: Balance of honey sweet, spice and citrus

Finish: Medium-length. Warming and round, with hint fresh oak

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails: Concannon Irish Whiskey recommends the following cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day and year round sipping enjoyment.

An Old Fashioned ConcannonConcannon Old Fashioned 600

2 ounces Concannon Irish Whiskey

Orange Zest

2 Spoons Vanilla Infused Sugar

3 dashes Orange Bitters

Lightly muddle sugar, orange zest and bitters in bottom of tumbler style glass. Add 1/3 of whiskey and a few ice cubes. Stir, ensuring sugar has lifted from base of glass while mixing. Add another 1/3 of whiskey with few cubes of ice. Stir, mixing whiskey and sugar. Repeat with remaining whiskey. Photo provided by The Baddish Group

By the way… If you want to see something that looks really delicious, visit the Concannon Irish Whiskey website (website & Facebook link at the end of post) and click on the Mix It Up link for more cocktail recipes. Find the Roses & Oranges cocktail created by Master Mixologist Gillian Boyle. She used Orange Marmalade and fresh Rosemary. Her cocktail creation simply looks divine!!!

Concannon Raspberry Basil SmashConcannon Raspberry Basil Smash 600

1-1/2 ounce Concannon Irish Whiskey

5 to 8 Fresh Raspberries

1/3 ounce Simple Syrup

3 to 4 Basil Leaves

1/4 ounce Lemon Juice

Basil Sprig & Fresh Raspberries Garnish

Muddle raspberries and basil in cocktail shaker. Add remaining liquids with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into rocks glass over fresh cracked ice. Garnish with basil sprig and fresh raspberries. Photo provided by The Baddish Group

Post sponsored by representatives of Concannon Irish WhiskeyConcannon Irish Whiskey on Facebook – All opinion & personal commentary is my own.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2013 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Canadian Coffee

026-2012-01-17 Hot Beverage

Canadian Coffee

1 measure Canadian Whisky

1-1/2 measure Maple Syrup

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Maple Whipped Cream*

Chocolate Shavings

Place Canadian whisky and maple syrup in heat proof mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with fresh maple whipped cream. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

Maple Whipped Cream

3 tablespoons Heavy Cream

1 tablespoon Maple Syrup

Place heavy cream and maple syrup in chilled bowl. Whip together until light cream forms. Set aside.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Café Brulot

Traditional method calls for brandy mixture to be ignited with flame for 5 to 10 seconds then immediately pouring hot coffee over mixture. Stir until flames subside and then divide between two mugs. I’ve opted for less zealous method in the directions. Please use extreme caution when using open flame.

Mulling Spices - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Café Brulot

3 Lemon Twists

3 Orange Twists

4 Whole Cloves

1 Cinnamon Stick

1-1/2 ounce Brandy

1 ounce White Curacao

1-1/2 cups Strong Hot Coffee

Heat citrus twists, spices, brandy and Curacao until warm, but not hot. Pour into coffee. Divide between two coffee mugs.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Italian Coffee

Chai Latte 010 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Italian Coffee

1-1/2 measure Hazelnut Liqueur

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Whipped Cream

Place liqueur in heat resistant mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with whipped cream.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Café Seattle

SPECIALTY COFFEE ASSOC. CELEBRATES SPECIALTY COFFEE MONTH - photo courtesy PRN

Café Seattle

3/4 measure Irish Cream

3/4 measure Vodka

1 measure Chocolate Syrup

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Whipped Cream

Place Irish cream, vodka and chocolate syrup in heat resistant mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with whipped cream.

Photo credit: PRNewsFoto

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Amaretto Coffee

Strong Safety - Coffee Mocktail - created by Cheri Loughlin photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Amaretto Coffee

1-1/2 measure Amaretto

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Whipped Cream

Place amaretto in heat resistant mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Garnish with whipped cream.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Sugar & Spice

This spiced up chocolate coffee goes from sugar and spice to holiday glam with the simple addition of candy cane garnish if you so choose.

Mug of Candy Canes

Sugar & Spice – Jennifer Compeau

1-1/2 measure Chocolate Milk

1 measure Mint Syrup

Pinch Each Powered Ginger & Cinnamon

Fresh Brewed Coffee

Cinnamon Sugar Rim

Whipped Cream & Chocolate Syrup

Lightly rim heat resistant mug with mint syrup. Dip into cinnamon and sugar. Add chocolate milk, mint syrup and spices to mug. Top with fresh brewed coffee. Stir. Top with whipped cream. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Insert candy cane stir stick if desired.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services 

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Hot or Iced Coffee House Latte

Some like it hot. Some like it cold. Many of us like it either way depending on mood, time of day or what the weather sends our way. This Coffee House Latte Mix is super easy to put together and is versatile enough for hot service or as an icy blended coffee. Make a large batch to keep for yourself and gift to a friend or neighbor.

Coffee House Latte 031 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Coffee House Latte

1 cup Nonfat Dry Milk Powder

1/2 cup Nondairy Coffee Creamer Powder

1/3 cup Instant Unsweetened Coffee

1/3 cup Sugar

2 boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding (7 ounces total)

Combine all ingredients in gallon size Ziplock bag. Shake to blend. Store in sealed jar or canister.

Hot Latte Assemble: Place 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Coffee House Latte Mix in heatproof mug. Top with 8 ounces hot water. Stir. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Iced Latte Assemble:Place 2 ounces (1/4 cup) Coffee House Latte Mix in heatproof mug or measuring cup. Top with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir to dissolve. Place dissolved mixture in blender with 1/4 cup cold water and 1/2 cup ice. Process until mixture is completely blended. Pour into tall glass.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.

Fireside Cappuccino

This mocha flavored cappuccino mix hits the spot on a chilly morning or as a late night treat. Sipping fireside is just an additional bonus if the crackle of a fire is your thing.

Fireside Cappucino 026 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Fireside Cappucino mix is easy to put together and keep on hand rather than run out to the local coffee shop for a quick fix. It’s also a wonderful gift for friends, family or new neighbors.

Fireside Cappucino 018 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Fireside Cappuccino

1 cup Powdered Chocolate Milk Mix

1 cup Nondairy Coffee Creamer Powder

3/4 cup Unsweetened Instant Coffee

3/4 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1 Tablespoon Dried Orange Peel – optional

Combine all ingredients in gallon size Ziplock bag. Shake to thoroughly blend. Mix can be placed in blender or food processor to mix if desired. Store in sealed jar or canister.

Assemble: Place 2 heaping Tablespoons of Fireside Cappucino Mix in heatproof mug. Top with 8 ounces hot water. Stir. Top with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles if desired.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved.