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Bar staff mixing up a Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record.
Photo: Off the Record

13 Boozy Coffee Drinks to Savor Right Now

Juiced up java creations are hot (even when cold)

by Lani Furbank
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Bar staff mixing up a Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record.
| Photo: Off the Record
by Lani Furbank

Coffee and alcohol are two of mankind’s great vices — or necessities, depending on who’s asking. Each have their own life-giving properties, but put them together and the result is cocktail magic. A spiked coffee drink includes the best of both worlds: a jolt of energy and a dose of relaxation. Perhaps that’s why bars around D.C. are doubling down on this double whammy.

These creations, served hot or cold, vary from classic iterations with coffee, cream, and whiskey to more creative takes like an iced porter latte, a coffee float, and a boozy nitro cold brew. There are also plenty of cultural variations, including NOLA-style at Bayou Bakery, Tuscan at Carmine’s, Mexican at El Techo, Spanish at Taberna del Alabardero, and Hawaiian at the Watergate hotel.

The featured locations are not ranked and are listed from north to south.

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Silver (Multiple locations)

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Silver is offering several spiked coffees for the winter, including an espresso martini with George Dickel Rye Whiskey, crème de cacao, maraschino, and chilled espresso ($11), and the Dusk Till Dawn featuring Jim Beam Whiskey, orange liqueur, almond syrup, and Compass Coffee ($9).

3404 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
202-851-3199
202-851-3199
The bar at Silver in Cathedral Heights.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee (Multiple locations)

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The Sugar Shack location in Shaw has a special evening menu called Donuts After Dark featuring boozy coffee cocktails. Starting at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, stop in for drinks like Holiday Fuel (ancho chile Aguardiente, nitro coffee, and milk) and Rye’d or Die (aged rye gin, maraschino, Ethiopian coffee, and milk) ($10).

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 629-1417
(202) 629-1417
Coffee drinks at the Sugar Shack in Shaw.
Photo: Sugar Shack

El Techo

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The rooftop at El Techo is now winter-ready, so snow bunnies can enjoy a spiked hot coffee featuring mint mezcal, coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweet whipped cream ($11).

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4270
(202) 836-4270
Rito Loco’s new rooftop bar.
Photo: Rito Loco

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Urbana

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For a decadent treat that’s more dessert than cocktail, try the Affloatgato at Urbana — a hybrid between an affogato and a root beer float. It’s a mix of mezcal, amaro averna, vanilla syrup, and cold brew, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream ($12).

2121 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650
A semi-private dining room at Urbana.
Photo: Urbana

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Columbia Room

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The Caffé Corretto Columbia is part of the current tasting menu at Columbia Room ($85-$115). It’s a mix of brandy de Jerez, coffee, golden beet grenadine, licorice root, verbena, and spicebush.

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
The Caffe Corretto Columbia at the Columbia Room.
Photo: Columbia Room

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Bourbon Steak

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The bar at Bourbon Steak has recently been revamped, and its new menu includes the Haberdashery featuring Casamigos tequila, apricot, coffee Bénédictine, and Jamaican bitters ($21).

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
The lounge at Bourbon Steak.
Photo: Bourbon Steak

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Taberna del Alabardero

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The Carajillo is a traditional Spanish drink, rumored to have originated during the Spanish occupation of Cuba. Taberna del Alabardero serves a classic take, with espresso and Licor 43 over ice ($12.50).

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 429-2200
(202) 429-2200
The main dining room at Taberna del Alabardero.
Photo: Taberna del Alabardero

Off the Record

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Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record is made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Don Ciccio & Figli Concerto Liqueur, and espresso ($19).

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 638-6600
(202) 638-6600
Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record.
Photo: Off the Record

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Fare Well

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For a vegan take on boozy coffee, head to Fare Well. The Washington Brickyard has Port City’s porter, bourbon, iced coffee, and sweet soy creamer ($12).

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 367-9600
(202) 367-9600
A cocktail at Fare Well.
Photo: Fare Well

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Dirty Habit

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Dirty Habit’s Wide Eyed has a hint of salt in addition to plenty of coffee ($14). It includes Hamilton Jamaican black rum, macadamia orgeat, salted falernum, cream, and cold brew from local producer Vigilante Coffee.

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 449-7095
(202) 449-7095
The patio bar at Dirty Habit.
Photo: Dirty Habit

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Carmine's

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Naturally, Carmine’s serves an Italian-themed coffee drink. The Tuscan Coffee has Tuscan vanilla liqueur, Italian coffee, melted chocolate, and whipped cream ($9.50).

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770
Tuscan coffee at Carmine.
Photo: Carmine’s

Bayou Bakery

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This New Orleans-inspired eatery has a version of Irish coffee inspired by the Big Easy. The Irish Channel Au Lait includes coffee, Irish cream liqueur, whipped cream, and cinnamon ($8). 

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-2410
(703) 243-2410
Bayou Bakery in Arlington, Va.
Photo: Bayou Bakery

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Barrel

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Coffee is for Closers appears during weekend brunch ($12) at this Capitol Hill bar. The drink is made with whiskey, demerara syrup, orange bitters, nitro cold brew, cream, and nutmeg.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622
The Coffee is for Closers at Barrel.
Photo: Barrel

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Silver (Multiple locations)

3404 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Silver is offering several spiked coffees for the winter, including an espresso martini with George Dickel Rye Whiskey, crème de cacao, maraschino, and chilled espresso ($11), and the Dusk Till Dawn featuring Jim Beam Whiskey, orange liqueur, almond syrup, and Compass Coffee ($9).

3404 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
202-851-3199
202-851-3199
The bar at Silver in Cathedral Heights.
Photo by Tierney Plumb / Eater DC

Sugar Shack Donuts & Coffee (Multiple locations)

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Sugar Shack location in Shaw has a special evening menu called Donuts After Dark featuring boozy coffee cocktails. Starting at 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, stop in for drinks like Holiday Fuel (ancho chile Aguardiente, nitro coffee, and milk) and Rye’d or Die (aged rye gin, maraschino, Ethiopian coffee, and milk) ($10).

1932 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 629-1417
(202) 629-1417
Coffee drinks at the Sugar Shack in Shaw.
Photo: Sugar Shack

El Techo

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

The rooftop at El Techo is now winter-ready, so snow bunnies can enjoy a spiked hot coffee featuring mint mezcal, coffee, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sweet whipped cream ($11).

606 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 836-4270
(202) 836-4270
Rito Loco’s new rooftop bar.
Photo: Rito Loco

Urbana

2121 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037

For a decadent treat that’s more dessert than cocktail, try the Affloatgato at Urbana — a hybrid between an affogato and a root beer float. It’s a mix of mezcal, amaro averna, vanilla syrup, and cold brew, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream ($12).

2121 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 956-6650
(202) 956-6650
A semi-private dining room at Urbana.
Photo: Urbana

Columbia Room

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Caffé Corretto Columbia is part of the current tasting menu at Columbia Room ($85-$115). It’s a mix of brandy de Jerez, coffee, golden beet grenadine, licorice root, verbena, and spicebush.

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
The Caffe Corretto Columbia at the Columbia Room.
Photo: Columbia Room

Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

The bar at Bourbon Steak has recently been revamped, and its new menu includes the Haberdashery featuring Casamigos tequila, apricot, coffee Bénédictine, and Jamaican bitters ($21).

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
The lounge at Bourbon Steak.
Photo: Bourbon Steak

Taberna del Alabardero

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

The Carajillo is a traditional Spanish drink, rumored to have originated during the Spanish occupation of Cuba. Taberna del Alabardero serves a classic take, with espresso and Licor 43 over ice ($12.50).

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 429-2200
(202) 429-2200
The main dining room at Taberna del Alabardero.
Photo: Taberna del Alabardero

Off the Record

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record is made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Don Ciccio & Figli Concerto Liqueur, and espresso ($19).

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 638-6600
(202) 638-6600
Kiki’s Concerto at Off the Record.
Photo: Off the Record

Fare Well

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

For a vegan take on boozy coffee, head to Fare Well. The Washington Brickyard has Port City’s porter, bourbon, iced coffee, and sweet soy creamer ($12).

406 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 367-9600
(202) 367-9600
A cocktail at Fare Well.
Photo: Fare Well

Dirty Habit

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Dirty Habit’s Wide Eyed has a hint of salt in addition to plenty of coffee ($14). It includes Hamilton Jamaican black rum, macadamia orgeat, salted falernum, cream, and cold brew from local producer Vigilante Coffee.

555 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 449-7095
(202) 449-7095
The patio bar at Dirty Habit.
Photo: Dirty Habit

Carmine's

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Naturally, Carmine’s serves an Italian-themed coffee drink. The Tuscan Coffee has Tuscan vanilla liqueur, Italian coffee, melted chocolate, and whipped cream ($9.50).

425 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 737-7770
(202) 737-7770
Tuscan coffee at Carmine.
Photo: Carmine’s

Bayou Bakery

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

This New Orleans-inspired eatery has a version of Irish coffee inspired by the Big Easy. The Irish Channel Au Lait includes coffee, Irish cream liqueur, whipped cream, and cinnamon ($8). 

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 243-2410
(703) 243-2410
Bayou Bakery in Arlington, Va.
Photo: Bayou Bakery

Barrel

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Coffee is for Closers appears during weekend brunch ($12) at this Capitol Hill bar. The drink is made with whiskey, demerara syrup, orange bitters, nitro cold brew, cream, and nutmeg.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622
The Coffee is for Closers at Barrel.
Photo: Barrel

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