​Guide to Adult Coffee Beverages

As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, I am a coffee-holic. My day doesn’t begin until at least one much-needed dark roast has been inhaled. Most moms can probably understand why I need the extra strength — balancing cleaning, shopping, packing lunches and laundry on top of work can become overwhelming. On the rare occasion that I do get a break from the kids (and the husband), I like to get together with the ladies who understand me the most. We’ve been through a lot together over the years, and our pasts are littered with tales of a fair few nights out with strong drinks, but at this stage, our drinking nights have to be strong in a different way.

Before you ask — yes, I am a wine lover, and I fully believe in the health benefits a glass can provide. But for me, wine is for winding down. Sometimes, I want a girls’ night out (or even a girls’ night in) to last later than my usual 10 p.m. (at the latest) bedtime. That is when — yes, you’ve guessed it — coffee comes into play. Someone might have told you that coffee just cannot blend with alcohol, but I am here to tell you that they were wrong. Oh, so wrong. But in a good way.

Don’t believe me? Take a look these energy-boosting boozy concoctions:

1. Let’s jump-start our list with a little piece of heaven. This Coffee Cloud Nine will have you hooked, wishing your daily coffee could keep you so happy.

Gather 1.5 oz. Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey, .5 oz. Dekuyper Hazelnut Liqueur, 1 oz. chocolate syrup and 1 cup of coffee. Mix all the ingredients together and stir, adding some whipped cream and chocolate shavings to the top! Mouth-watering goodness.

Photo: Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey via guysgab.com

2. Need to keep it simple because maybe your night out turned into a last-minute night in? Try this quick and easy espresso martini (or as I like to call it, an express-o martini):

Grab 1.5 oz. Kahlua, 1 oz. vodka and a shot of espresso. Shake it up on ice and strain. Delicious!

Photo via kahlua.com

3. We tell our kids that too much chocolate is bad for them. We try to bribe them with healthy snacks. But sometimes, I just can’t resist sneaking a bite. Although it feels kind of hypocritical, I have my own private stash. I mean, if I don’t hide my chocolate, I end up finding the wrappers strewn about the floor and a little one (with chocolate smeared around her mouth) who has “no idea” where the chocolate could have gone. I know I say sharing is caring, kiddo, but not when it comes to my chocolate. Anyways, try this Bicerin to get your adults-only chocolate fix:

Make half a cup of hot chocolate, then pour in half a cup of a dark brew before topping it off with heavy cream (homemade or store bought) and chocolate shavings. And don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten the good stuff. We suggest adding 1 oz. Kahlua and 1 oz. Bailey’s to the mix for something strong.

Photo via nelliebellie.com

4. Personally, I am not a white chocolate gal. However, this Cafe Godiva makes me want to reconsider that decision.

Combine 2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur with 1 oz. cream, Add ice, then pour coffee on top. Stir, and drink up!

Photo via us.thebar.com

5. If the weather hasn’t improved in your area, then you need a boozy drink that’ll keep you warm. Gingerbread Irish coffee anyone? Yes, the holidays are over now, but that doesn’t mean the tastes have to be! Relive the night you made gingerbread houses or baked little gingerbread men with the family — minus the hassle of it all — with this tasty recipe:

Grab 2 oz. Bailey’s original, 4 oz. coffee and 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spices. Mix the Bailey’s with the pumpkin pie spices, and pour over coffee. I recommend you add a whipped topping, because why not?

Photo: Baileys Original Irish Cream via cosmopolitan.com

My top five might be different from yours, but there are so many other options out there. Lucky us! No matter your choice of drink, adding coffee into the mix will help keep you up while you chat about the latest kid fiasco, the movie you really want to see but will probably have to wait till it comes out on DVD or the most recent celebrity gossip.