Coffee cocktails to make for buzzy summer nights

Over these balmy mid-year months, we're asking a selection of experts from our members and current Brands of Tomorrow to share their top tips on how to curate the best summer ever. Here, we speak to Amir Gehl, Founder and CEO of Difference Coffee (one of our Brands of Tomorrow 2023), to let us know the recipes for four chic, summery, caffeinated cocktails you can create using coffee pods...

A low intervention Espresso Martini variation, this recipe allows the Difference Hawaii Kona to shine through with high clarity. 

Ingredients

• 30g Difference Coffee - Hawaii Kona

• 5g golden caster sugar

• A pinch of high quality salt

• 30ml high quality vodka

• 10ml coffee liqueur (alternatively, this can be substituted for your choice of liqueur for a flavoured version) 

Method

1. Brew capsule over sugar and salt.

2. Add to cocktail shaker (or lidded flask/jar) filled with ice.

3. Shake hard and fine strain into a frozen Nick and Nora or coupe glass.

This combination of Difference Wild Kopi Luwak combined with amaretto and lime is the perfect combination of acidic, sweet, and bitter with a creamy texture. 

Ingredients

• 30g Difference Coffee - Wild Kopi Luwak

• 30ml amaretto

• 10ml lime juice

• 5ml cherry liqueur

Method

1. Brew capsule.

2. Add to cocktail shaker (or lidded flask/jar) with amaretto, lime juice and ice.

3. Shake hard and fine strain over ice into frozen rocks glass

4. Garnish with flaked almonds or a cocktail cherry.

Created by coffee cocktail master Dan Fellows, this serve combines coffee and cognac to create a brandy fizz with a luxurious twist – and celebrates the floral and citric flavours of Panama Esmeralda Geisha.

Ingredients

• 30g Difference Coffee - Panama Esmeralda Geisha

• 10ml cognac

• 10ml curacao

• 10ml elderflower syrup

• 100ml Champagne

Method

1. Brew capsule.

2. Skim off crema and chill brewed coffee.

3. Add coffee, cognac, curaçao, elderflower syrup and champagne to frozen champagne flute.

4. Garnish with orange peel.

A loose twist on a Negroni, celebrating the flavours of this exceptional coffee. The drink comes together to deliver a bittersweet Black Forest flavour profile. 

Ingredients

• 30g Difference Coffee - Nicaragua Cup of Excellence Champion

• 20ml Earl Grey-infused gin

• 15ml sweet vermouth

• 10ml Aperol

• 5ml berry liqueur

• 2 dashes chocolate bitters

Method

1. Brew capsule.

2. Stir with other ingredients and ice.

3. Strain over fresh ice in frozen rocks glass.

4. Garnish with citrus zest.