Tag Archives: Whipped Cream

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.

Jello Shots Become Bite-Sized Desserts

Mexican Truffle Gelatin Jello Shot 016

Jello shots have been around since 1955 so the story goes. They are the go-to college party shot, Halloween candy shot and (admit it) mom’s little secret treat hiding in the back of the fridge for book club night. Just as classic cocktails and mixology have evolved through the years, Jello shots have gone from amateur night throw back shot to sophisticated connoisseur finger food. Forget the plastic cup. Bring on the tiny appetizer plates. Seriously, in the long, short and wiggly of it all, it’s still alcohol wrapped up in gelatin. Slam it, sip it or nosh it. Any way you bite it there’s alcohol content, so user beware. This isn’t kiddie candy, but Jello shots are still loaded with fun!

These Mexican Truffles are little bite-sized packages of dark chocolate goodness. So good, they are difficult to put down. The whipped cream and cinnamon garnish balance out the tasty morsel with creamy smoothness. Instead of the usual Jello shots that come to mind, these decadent small bite desserts are ideal for cocktail parties, hosting a girls night out game night or wrapping up your own Valentine’s Day box of chocolates.

Mexican Truffle Gelatin Jello Shot 017

Mexican Truffle – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/3 cup Chocolate Milk

1 teaspoon Grenadine

2 Knox Unflavored Gelatin Packets

1/3 cup Reposado Tequila

1/3 cup Hazelnut Liqueur

2 tablespoons Coffee Liqueur

Whipped Cream & Cinnamon Sprinkle Garnish

Place milk, grenadine and gelatin in saucepan. Stir gently. Heat over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved (approximately 7 to 8 minutes). Remove from heat. Add tequila and liqueurs. Stir. Pour into small shallow glass dish. Chill until gelatin is completely set. Cut into approximately 20 to 24 squares or use simple cookie cutter for decorative shapes just before serving. Garnish with dollop of whipped cream and dust with cinnamon powder just before serving.

If you love playing with your food and drink then you’ll love the Jelly Shot Test Kitchen. They have a terrific book with more gelatin style Jello cocktail shot recipes. The Cucumber-Lime Margarita sounds delicious! Check out a few cute gelatin shot ideas on my Pinterest board. There are some amazingly creative people out there!

Cheri Loughlin Beverage Consultant & Photography Services

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.

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.

Melting Mocha

The party is over and morning has arrived. Rolling out of bed after a long evening of partying until the wee hours of the morning is challenge enough. Coffee seems to be your most likely friend at this stage of the game. 

This decadent cup of coffee is a slow sipper, velvety smooth, lavishly sumptuous and full of rich chocolate flavor to start your morning off with sweet sinful goodness.

Melting Mocha – NescaféCapetown Coffee - photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

2 ounces Dark Chocolate

3 Tablespoons Heavy Cream

7 ounces Freshly Boiled Water

3 Teaspoons Nescafé Original Coffee

Whipped Cream & Grated Chocolate Garnish

Melt dark chocolate with heavy cream in microwave. In separate cup, pour boiled water over instant coffee. Stir. Pour over chocolate mixture. Stir well. Pour into large coffee mug or latte cup. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with grated chocolate.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Riesling Cider

Do you keep instant hot cider on hand for the kiddos? Now you can enjoy a bit of spiked hot cider using the same little packages. Riesling wine complements the apple flavor in this quick and easy recipe.

Riesling Cider 005 photo copyright Cheri Loughlin

Riesling Cider – created by Cheri Loughlin

5 ounces Riesling Wine

1 ounce Water

1 package Instant Apple Cider

Cinnamon Stick Garnish

Whipped Cream with Allspice Sprinkle optional

Place wine and water in heatproof measuring cup. Heat in microwave for 1 minute. Stir in package of apple cider. Stir with cinnamon stick until apple cider is completely dissolved. Transfer to heatproof mug. Garnish with whipped cream and sprinkle of allspice if desired.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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

Chili Ginger Cocoa

Chili Ginger Cocoa 025 photo copyright Cheri LoughlinGentle warming spice. Rich without too much sweetness. Great for winter, fall, weekend mornings.

Chili Ginger Cocoa – created by Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Silver Rum

1 package Hot Chocolate Mix

1 teaspoon Crushed Fresh Ginger

1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon

Pinch of Chipotle Chili Pepper

4 ounces Half & Half

4 ounces Hot Water

Whipped Cream & Cinnamon Sprinkle Garnish

Heat Half & Half and water in large measuring cup. Add ginger, cinnamon and chipotle chili pepper. Whisk gently until spices have combined thoroughly. Add hot chocolate mix to spiced mixture. Stir to dissolve. Place rum into heat proof mug. Top with spiced hot chocolate mixture. Garnish with dollop of whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles.

Cheri Loughlin Photography - Cocktail Development & Photography Services

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