Espresso Cherry Noir

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 1½ fl oz vodka
• ½ fl oz coffee liqueur
• 1 fl oz freshly brewed espresso, cooled
• ¾ fl oz unsweetened black cherry juice
• ¼ fl oz prepared 1:1 simple syrup
• 1 cup ice

Finish

• 3 coffee beans
• 1 pitted fresh dark cherry

Optional homemade simple syrup

• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp hot water; use this with the sugar only if making syrup from scratch

Equipment

Shaker, fine strainer, chilled 7-fl-oz coupe

Allergens and ingredient notes: Alcohol and caffeine; check coffee liqueur ingredients for milk or other allergens.

Measurements are US fluid ounces (fl oz), tablespoons (tbsp), and teaspoons (tsp). Syrup components may make extra: use only the drink quantity listed. These recipes contain alcohol and are intended for adults 21 and over.

Step by step

1. Brew and cool the espresso completely; warm espresso will melt the shaking ice too quickly. If making syrup, dissolve the optional sugar in its hot water and cool, then measure only ¼ fl oz. Otherwise use prepared syrup and omit that group.
2. Add vodka, coffee liqueur, cooled espresso, cherry juice, and the measured syrup to the shaker. Add ice and shake hard for 15–20 seconds to create a light coffee foam.
3. Fine-strain into the chilled coupe. Garnish with the three coffee beans and pitted cherry; the amount of foam varies with the espresso.

The Devotti twist: Black cherry adds tart depth to an espresso-style cocktail without needing a thick sweet cherry syrup.

Make ahead and storage

Mix to order. Refrigerate cooled espresso and use within 1 day; homemade syrup keeps refrigerated up to 3 days.

Image: AI-generated recipe illustration; homemade results and presentation will vary.