Here in Los Angeles, we love our coffee, and we love our cocktails, so why not drink both at the same time? Some of the city’s best bartenders love using coffee not just to perk you up but also for the flavor. From the classic Irish Coffee to the ever-popular espresso martini to spirit-forward stirred cocktails, here are the best places to drink coffee cocktails in the city.
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Where to Sip Coffee Cocktails in LA
1. Fia
Fia’s signature espresso martini, the Wake Up Call, tones down the sweetness by skipping the coffee liqueur and simple syrup combo and opting for a touch of vanilla bean infused syrup instead. Made with Belvedere vodka and freshly brewed espresso, this pick-me-up is perfect to enjoy with your meal at Fia’s beautiful garden.
2452 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403; fiarestaurant.com
2. Thunderbolt
If you love nitro cold brew coffee, you’ll want to try Thunderbolt’s nitro espresso martini. In addition to Counter Culture coffee and vodka, it also combines sherry and demerara syrup. The sherry adds another layer of depth to the flavors and the nitro gives it that signature rich, foamy texture.
1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026; thunderboltla.com
3. Mírame
At this modern Mexican restaurant, the classic espresso martini takes a trip across the border to Mexico. Made with coffee bean-infused tequila, freshly brewed espresso using beans sourced from Mexico and piloncillo (unrefined cane sugar), the espresso martini at Mírame is a stronger and earthier version yet still drinks easily.
419 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; mirame.la
4. Santolina
Beverly Hills’ latest rooftop restaurant, Santolina, brings all things Middle Eastern to the neighborhood—with an aerial view to accompany them all. This includes their own spin on espresso martini, the Stand Up Turk. Instead of espresso, the cocktail combines vodka and Kahlua with the characteristically strong Turkish coffee and cardamom-anise spices. Mmm.
9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; santolinabh.com
5. Dama
Several Latin American countries have their own version of carajillo, a coffee drink spiked with liquor. The version that has been making its way around Los Angeles is the Mexican carajillo, made with espresso and Licor 43, a Spanish liqueur with orange and vanilla notes. The recipe might sound simple, but the bartenders at DAMA spent a long time perfecting their carajillo with just the right choice of espresso, and it is arguably the best in the city.
612 E 11th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015; damafashiondistrict.com
6. Bar Bohemien
Culver City’s food hall, Citizen Public Market, recently got a cocktail bar on the second floor rooftop. You can’t go wrong with anything from their menu, but the go-to drink for summer day drinking here is the Parisian Cafe, which is a frozen mixture of rye whiskey, coffee liqueur and oat milk and topped with a Licor 43 whipped cream. This tasty cocktail is sure to cool you down (and keep you going).
9355 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232; barbohemien.com
7. Saso
There are actually two coffee cocktails at this Basque-inspired restaurant in Pasadena, and we have a hard time choosing a favorite. There's Vito's Coldbrew which tops espresso, bourbon and Licor 43 with orange cream and churro dust. Then there’s the Spanish Coffee that kicks up the ABV a notch by combining freshly brewed coffee, mezcal, coffee liqueur and 151 rum, finished off with toasted marshmallow.
37 S El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101; sasobistro.com
8. Redbird
The cocktail menu at this acclaimed downtown restaurant changes often, but the Good Morning Vietnam has been on the brunch list since the restaurant’s inception, so you know just how much their customers love it. Perfect for day drinking, the cocktail is made using cold brew coffee, Venezuelan rum and Amaro CioCiaro before being topped with coconut cream.
114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012; redbird.la
9. Market Tavern
There’s a new British pub at The Original Farmers Market and there’s more on offer than just beers; you can also order a cocktail to go with your Beef Wellington. The Start Me Up cocktail gives a nod to the British and California influences by using Black Cow vodka from England (the world’s only vodka made from milk) and coffee liqueur from San Diego-based Old Harbor distillery, along with espresso, amaro, orgeat syrup and cardamom bitters.
6333 W 3rd St #706, Los Angeles, CA 90036; markettavernla.com
10. Tom Bergin’s
There are a few places in Los Angeles to get a great Irish Coffee, but we’d be remiss to not include the one that brought the drink to our city. The Irish Coffee at Tom Bergin’s is made with Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, freshly brewed coffee, simple syrup and chilled heavy cream. And if the weather is too hot, they’ll also serve you an iced version of the iconic drink.
840 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036; tombergins.com
11. Melrose Umbrella Company
Great news: Melrose Umbrella Company just renovated and opened their outdoor courtyard out back, just in time for the summer. And because they know our fair city stays warm most of the year, they’re serving a frozen Irish Coffee. Irish whiskey is blended with coffee liqueur, cream, and demerara syrup, and the whole thing is topped with Oreo crumbles, because who doesn’t love cookies and cream?
7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046; melroseumbrellaco.com
12. Nueva
Available both on the brunch and dinner menu at this modern Mexican spot is a twist on the classic negroni cocktail. Instead of gin, this negroni contains mezcal, Campari and vermouth, but Nueva also added espresso to the mix. It’s a well-balanced drink that will also pair well with those churros Nueva has for dessert.
822 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292; nuevavenice.com
13. Here And Now
For those that prefer a stronger, more aromatic drink later in the night, there is the Laveau’s Quarter on the latest menu at this Arts District bar. Like the name would suggest, the cocktail gives a nod to New Orleans with its use of chicory coffee, along with whiskey, rum, bitter liqueurs, maple syrup and tobacco bitters. Yum.
300 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013; hereandnowdtla.com
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