How to Spike Your Coffee

Hot coffee will help you get through these cold Midwest winters, but spiked hot coffee? It’ll really warm you up. Whether you’re starting your day with a coffee cocktail or ending it with a caffeinated nightcap, there are quite a few liquors and liqueurs that pair well with coffee.

The combinations for a delicious warm cocktail are endless, so we rounded up a few of our favorites.

Check out our list:

BAILEYS IRISH CREAM

A classic mix, Irish cream and coffee is a staple. The texture of Baileys lends itself to that of a creamer. This one just offers the smoothness of whiskey.

RUMCHATA

Wisconsin’s very own cream liqueur. It’s flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, which pairs perfectly with your favorite cup of coffee.

JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY

You can only make Irish coffee with Irish whiskey. And that’s all we’re going to say about that.

KAHLÚA COFFEE LIQUEUR

Kahlúa already has a coffee flavor, so it’s not a pungent addition to your brew, but it adds a touch of sweetness. If you don’t want caffeine, add Kahlúa to your hot chocolate.

FRANGELICO HAZELNUT LIQUEUR

To get a little hazelnut (and vanilla) flavor, add Frangelico to your coffee.

AMARETTO

Amaretto isn’t just for cocktails on ice. Its almond flavor is subtle, so make sure your coffee isn’t too strong or it might get lost.

GRAND MARNIER

You might be thinking that orange-flavored Grand Marnier does not go with coffee, but we’re here to tell you that a shot of Grand Marnier in a cup of coffee with a little orange zest is a delicious treat. Try it after dinner sometime.

CHOCOLATE LIQUEUR

Take your brew from coffee to mocha with one shot of chocolate liqueur.

BUTTERSCOTCH SCHNAPPS

If you have a sweet tooth, butterscotch is a good addition to satisfy your craving.

BOURBON

We can describe both coffee and bourbon as having complex and rich flavors, which makes them a match made in heaven. And add a shot of honey liqueur for a real Kentucky cocktail.

BRANDY

Bourbon isn’t the only liquor with complex and rich flavors. Take your coffee up a notch with a shot of brandy and a spoonful of sugar, then top it with heavy cream.

CHAMBORD

Did you know blackberries, raspberries and black currants pair well with coffee? They do. That’s why Chambord made our list of liqueurs.

Did you know we offer alcoholic add-ins at our Delafield location? Choose from Baileys, Jameson, RumChata and Kahlúa. In Beloit and Indy, you can grab a bag or two of Ruby Coffee Roasters beans to brew and spike at home.

We’ll raise our coffee cups to that.