This week should have marked UK Coffee Week. They might have put the official events off until the autumn, but that won’t stop us shaking some coffee cocktails to celebrate. Any excuse!
Of course when it comes to cocktails in Leicester one name that is always right up there on people’s lists is Manhattan 34.
No stranger to a delicious spin on a coffee flavoured cocktail, we caught up with owner, Marc van Rooyen, for some of his favourite coffee cocktail recipes for you to try at home!
For the below cocktails there’s just one ingredient that you need to make at home – the simple syrup. The simple syrup needs to be equal parts water and sugar. Marc recommends 250ml water and 250g sugar (equates to 10 measures). Heat water in a pan, add your sugar and stir until dissolved. Let this cool and then transfer it into a bottle. It’ll have a shelf life of 3 weeks, keep refrigerated and keep shaking those cocktails.
The Manhattan Classic Espresso Martini
Pour into your shaker:
Double Espresso shot (single if you prefer)
25ml Simple syrup
25ml Vanilla vodka (or add 1 drop vanilla essence)
25ml Tia Maria (other coffee liquors can be used)
Add ice to your shaker, shake hard 15 sec, strain contents into your glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.
After Dinner Martini
Pour into your shaker:
Double Espresso shot (single if you prefer)
25ml Simple syrup
25ml Vanilla vodka (or add 1 drop vanilla essence)
12.5ml Mozart dark chocolate (other chocolate liquors can be used)
12.5ml Crème de menthe
Add ice to your shaker, shake hard 15 sec, strain contents into your glass. Garnish with after dinner mint chocolate or two mint leaves
A French Espresso Martini
Pour into your shaker:
Double Espresso shot (single if you prefer)
25ml Simple syrup
25ml Courvoisier VS
25ml Tia Maria (other coffee liquors can be used)
1 dash peach bitters (not essential)
Add ice to your shaker, shake hard 15 sec, strain contents into your glass. No garnish
The Chocolate Orange
Pour into your shaker:
Double Espresso shot (single if you prefer)
25ml Simple syrup
25ml Vanilla vodka (or add 1 drop vanilla essence)
12.5ml Cointreau (other orange liquors can be used)
12.5ml Crème de Cacao
1 dash orange bitters (not essential)
Add ice to your shaker, shake hard 15 sec, strain contents into your glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings and dehydrated orange wheel
A little spice Chocolate and chilli Espresso Martini
Pour into your shaker:
Double Espresso shot (single if you prefer)
25ml Simple syrup
25ml Vanilla vodka (or add 1 drop vanilla essence)
12.5ml Ancho Reyes (other chilli liquors can be used)
12.5ml Crème de Cacao
1/2 pinch of salt
1 dash chocolate bitters (not essential)
Add ice to your shaker, shake hard 15 sec, strain contents into your glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings and small red chilli pepper
Keep up to date with the latest from Manhattan34 during and post-lockdown by following them on Facebook.
If you have a go at making any of the cocktails above please do share your photos with us by tagging @coolasleicester on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.