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The Perfect Blend: How to Make a Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Drink

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This cold brew coffee whiskey drink is perfect for coffee and whiskey lovers who want to enjoy the best of both worlds.

The combination of cold brew coffee and smoked maple whiskey creates a unique flavor profile that’s both refreshing and bold.

In this article, you will find tips for making the best coffee whiskey cocktails including:

  • the types of coffee beans to use
  • how to brew the perfect cold brew
  • what types of whiskey and bourbon work best with cold brew
  • garnishing your coffee cocktail

I’ll also introduce you to Village Garage Distillery, a Bennington, Vermont-based distillery that provided the whiskey used in this recipe.

feature image collage village garage distillery

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Village Garage Distillery, however all opinions are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure here.

Village Garage Distillery

If you follow me on Instagram you probably know that I am a life-long New Englander and very proud of that fact.

While living most of my life in Rhode Island, I’ve been in New Hampshire the past 5 years. To say I love living in the White Mountains is an understatement.

The scenery, especially in the fall, truly takes your breath away. Exploring the local breweries and vineyards has been a fun way for my 26 yo daughter and I to get to know the area and support local businesses.

Today I’m thrilled to be partnering with Village Garage Distillery, just over the line in Vermont. Started by friends and co-founders Glen Sauer and Matt Cushman in 2018.

They were inspired by the lands their families have farmed for over eight generations.

After successfully launching their spirits in their home state of Vermont, they have now brought Village Garage to Massachusetts, and most recently to New Hampshire.

The Village Garage Lineup in New Hampshire: 

  • Village Bourbon – Vermont straight bourbon with a 60% corn/40% rye mash bill. It finishes fresh and warm, with noticeable toasted oak and butterscotch sweetness. 
  • Village Rye – Made from 100% malted rye and aged for 2 years, blended down with spring water from Woodford water reservoir. 
  • Village Bonfire – Inspired by the campfire, Head Distiller Ryan Scheswohl combines Village Garage’s 5 year aged Vermont whiskey with locally sourced, smoked maple syrup. At 90 proof, you will get a nose of maple, brown sugar and charred molasses. 

They sent me samples to try along with their Village Vodka, distilled using fresh Vermont water and American grain.

village brewery whiskey vodka and bourbon

The spirits arrived at the perfect time as we were having a family get together for Father’s Day. I knew the bourbon and whiskey would be a hit with my dad and brother-in-law, Mark.

close up whiskey and cigar

My dad immediately went for the rye whiskey and Mark went for the Bonfire and fired up a stogie to enjoy with his whiskey.

He may have taken advantage of the Father’s Day celebration by smoking inside which my sister is not a fan of! 🙂

Mark tasting Village Garage whiskey

Where Can You Buy Village Spirits?

You can order Village products online here. The product is packed incredibly well:

wrapped whiskey

If you are local, visit the where to buy search bar. In New Hampshire you can find Village products at most liquor and wine outlets.

They have several fun summer events scheduled in Vermont as shown here.

Visit Village Garage Distillery in Person

We plan to take a tour of the distillery next month and stay for lunch. Their menu sounds amazing with entrees including Village Alla Vodka and Bourbon Mac.

Don’t even get me started on the drink menu! They were kind enough to include the recipe for one of their most popular cocktails:

Cushman Cold Brew

by Amanda Lewsey, Tasting Room, Village Garage Distillery (Bennington, VT)

“A riff on an espresso martini, the Cushman Coldbrew is a creamy, refreshing, yet firm nod to all hard iced coffees. Bonfire, our smoked maple whisky, is an excellent match with any light or dark roast cold brew. Playing nicely with the slight maple syrup sweetness in the front of the cocktail, Bonfire brings in a smoky finish. Perfect for an afternoon pick me up on Father’s Day and beyond!” 

  • 2 oz Village Bonfire
  • 1oz Cold Brew
  • .5 oz Village Coffee Liqueur*
  • .5 oz Maple Syrup
  • 4 dashes Fee Foam Bitters**

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with two or three coffee beans. 

*We use a house-made Village Coffee Liqueur that can be switched out with Metcalfe Maple Cream Liqueur for a more maple forward cocktail.

**We use Fee Foam Bitters from Fee Brothers for the cocktail’s crema, at home, one egg white can be substituted for a creamier crema. When substituting egg whites, dry shake the egg before adding the other ingredients.

Doesn’t that sound delicious? I’m a huge fan of iced coffee recipes so I decided to go with a simple cold brew coffee whiskey. It’s quick to make and perfect on a hot New England day.

Introduction to Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Cocktail

Cold brew coffee and whiskey cocktails have been around for quite some time, but it’s only recently that they’ve gained popularity.

The Ingredients You Need to Make the Perfect Blend

To make the perfect cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail, you’ll need high-quality ingredients. The list of ingredients includes cold brew coffee, whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters.

For my drink I used triple sec and heavy cream instead of simple syrup and bitters. It’s important to use high-quality ingredients to ensure that the cocktail tastes great.

But, definitely experiment to make it your own. I’ve included a printable recipe card at the end of this article for your convenience.

  • 4 ounces Cold Brew Coffee
  • 1 ounce Whole Milk
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 1 ounce Triple Sec
  • Heavy Whipping Cream (optional)
  • 2 ounces Village Bonfire
Cold Brew Coffee with glass of ice and cream

The Best Coffee Beans for Cold Brew Coffee

Cold brew coffee is smoother and not as bitter as regular coffee, but the type of coffee beans you use for cold brew is crucial.

The best coffee beans for cold brew are those that are low in acidity and have a smooth, rich flavor. Some of the best coffee beans for cold brew include Brazilian coffee, perfect for cold brew because it has a smooth, sweet, and refreshing flavor. 

Colombian Supremo, Sumatra Mandheling, and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe are also popular in cold brew recipes.

How to Brew the Perfect Cold Brew Coffee

Brewing the perfect cold brew coffee is easy. All you need is a French Press or a cold brew coffee maker.

To make cold brew coffee, you’ll need to mix coffee grounds with cold water and let it steep for 12-24 hours. Once the coffee is brewed, strain it and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Cocktail with cream

Choosing the Right Whiskey for Your Cocktail

Choosing the right whiskey for your cocktail is important. There are different types of whiskey, including bourbon, rye, and scotch.

Each type of whiskey has a unique flavor profile. Bourbon is sweet and smooth, rye is spicy and bold, and scotch is smoky and complex.

Since I was going with a maple flavor, I used Village Bonfire. It blended perfectly and gave that hint of sweetness I was going for.

Village bonfire whiskey

The Importance of Ice in Your Cocktail

Ice is an important ingredient in cocktails. It helps to dilute the cocktail and bring out the flavors. It’s important to use the right type of ice in your cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail.

Large ice cubes are ideal because they melt slowly and don’t dilute the cocktail too quickly.

The Art of Mixing Your Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Cocktail

Mixing the perfect cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail is an art. To make the cocktail, you’ll need to combine cold brew coffee, whiskey, triple sec (or simple syrup), and whipping cream (or bitters) in a shaker with ice.

Shake the cocktail vigorously and strain it into a glass filled with ice.

Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Cocktail with coffee beans

Garnishing Your Cocktail: Tips and Tricks

Garnishes can enhance the flavor and presentation of your cocktail. Some of the best garnishes for a cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail include lemon twists, cherries, and orange peels. It’s important to use fresh garnishes to ensure that the cocktail tastes great.

Serving Your Cocktail: Glassware and Presentation

Choosing the right glassware for your cocktail is important. A rocks glass or a highball glass is ideal for a cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail.

To present your cocktail in a visually appealing way, you can add a lemon twist or a cherry to the glass.

Experimenting with Different Flavors and Variations of Your Cocktail

You can experiment with different flavors and variations of your cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail. Add different types of bitters or use flavored simple syrup to create a unique flavor profile. You can also try using different types of whiskey to create a different taste.

flavors for cold brew coffee

In conclusion, making the perfect cold brew coffee whiskey cocktail is easy. All you need is high-quality ingredients and a little bit of creativity.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a delicious and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion! Cheers.

A huge thank you to the folks at Village Garage for making our family celebration even more special. Learn more about Village Garage Distillery at villagegarage.com and on Instagram.

Be sure to let them know that Our Crafty Mom sent you! 🙂

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Cold Brew Coffee Whiskey Cocktail with cream

Cold Brew Iced Coffee Whiskey Recipe

Yield: 1 Hard Iced Coffee
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Enjoy a light and refreshing cold brew whiskey iced coffee with a hint of maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces Cold Brew Coffee
  • 1 ounce Whole Milk
  • 2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
  • 1 ounce Triple Sec
  • Heavy Whipping Cream (optional)
  • 2 ounces Village Bonfire

Instructions

  1. Add a handful of ice cubes to a tall glass.
  2. Pour the cold brew coffee into the glass.
  3. Slowly add the whole milk to the coffee.
  4. Add whiskey and triple sec.
  5. Blend with maple syrup.
  6. Top with whipping cream if desired.

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