Summary:
If a chocolate milkshake and an espresso martini had a rebellious little cousin, this would be it. Silky, bold, and layered with just enough sweetness to play nice with the coffee. This cocktail isn’t just a drink — it’s dessert with a caffeine kick. Perfect for late-night hosting flexes or quietly sabotaging bedtime.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Additional Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
Diet: Vegetarian
Method: Shaken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz vodka (plain or vanilla)
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso (hot or cooled slightly)
- ½ oz cookies and cream syrup (see Notes for DIY option)
- 1 oz heavy cream (optional, but recommended for creaminess)
- 1 chocolate sandwich cookie, crushed, for garnish
- Optional: small splash of simple syrup, if you want it sweeter
- Ice, for shaking
Instructions
- Chill your glass
Stick your coupe or rocks glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prep the cocktail. No one likes a lukewarm espresso drink. - Build the cocktail
In a shaker, combine vodka, coffee liqueur, cookies and cream syrup, espresso, and heavy cream (if using). Add a big scoop of ice. - Shake like you mean it
Hard shake for about 15–20 seconds. You want the drink to get frothy and cold. That’s where the magic happens. - Strain and serve
Dump the ice water from your glass if you used that method. Fine strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to keep it smooth and frothy. - Garnish
Crush a chocolate sandwich cookie and rim half the glass or sprinkle it on top. Fancy without trying too hard.
Notes
- Cookies & Cream Syrup (DIY version):
Blend 2 chocolate sandwich cookies with 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 tablespoon of simple syrup until smooth. Strain if needed. Store leftovers in the fridge for more cocktails (or ice cream sundaes). - Make it dairy-free:
Sub the heavy cream for coconut cream or oat milk. It’ll still be rich, just a little earthier. - Want a stronger coffee hit?
Use cold brew concentrate instead of espresso, or add a shot of coffee bitters. - Batch for a party:
Multiply the ingredients by 4–6, shake in batches, and keep chilled in a pitcher. Shake again before pouring to revive the froth.
This cocktail walks that perfect line between indulgent and grown-up. It’s creamy. It’s buzzy. It’s got cookie crumbs on top. Make it once and you’ll be bringing it out every time someone says, “Do you want something sweet or something boozy?” This one’s both.
