VIIIThe classics

After dinner

Coffee, cream and coconut. The Flip family, plus the B52.

4 min read

These come after the plates have gone. Three of the four are the Flip family - something rich giving the drink body rather than flavour - and all four are sweeter than anything else in this part.

Espresso Martini

Martini · Up · Shake and strain

  • Vodka50 ml
  • Espresso, fresh1 shot
  • Kahlúa30 ml
  • Sugar syrup10 ml

GarnishThree coffee beans

FamilyFlip · Spirit + sugar + something rich

IBA linkThe New Era

The espresso has to be fresh and hot going in - that is where the foam comes from. Cold coffee gives a flat drink with no head. My own version differs and always gets good reviews: a double espresso, 45 ml vodka infused with split vanilla pods, 15 ml butterscotch liqueur, 15 ml sugar syrup, no coffee liqueur.

Brandy Alexander

Martini · Up · Shake and strain

  • Cognac or brandy30 ml
  • Crème de cacao, brown30 ml
  • Cream30 ml

GarnishGrated nutmeg

FamilyFlip · Spirit + sugar + something rich

IBA linkThe Unforgettablesas Alexander

Cognac is a specific brandy, from one place under one set of rules. Any brandy you have will make the drink.

Grasshopper

Martini · Up · Shake and strain

  • Crème de menthe30 ml
  • Crème de cacao, white30 ml
  • Cream30 ml

GarnishChocolate powder

FamilyFlip · Spirit + sugar + something rich

IBA linkThe Contemporary Classics

The IBA's 20 / 20 / 20 is the historic build. Thirty each is the modern single serve for a coupe or cocktail glass, and the same drink.

Irish Coffee

Toddy · no ice · Build in the glass and float the cream

  • Irish whiskey50 ml
  • Hot coffee120 ml
  • Sugaror 10 ml sugar syrup1 tsp
  • Cream, chilled50 ml

GarnishNothing. The cream is the garnish

FamilyFlip · Spirit + sugar + something rich

IBA linkThe Contemporary Classics

The cream floats because the coffee underneath is sweetened, which makes it denser. Leave the sugar out and the float sinks, which is the tidiest piece of physics in the book. Warm the glass first or the drink is lukewarm by the second mouthful.

Pina Colada

Hurricane · Crushed · Blend, or shake hard

  • White rum50 ml
  • Pineapple juice80 ml
  • Coconut cream30 ml

GarnishPineapple wedge, and a cherry if you like

FamilyFlip · Spirit + sugar + something rich

IBA linkThe Contemporary Classics

The coconut cream is the something rich that makes this a Flip rather than a sour - take it out and you have a rum and pineapple juice. The only blended drink in the book, and the reason the hurricane glass is in the glassware chapter.

B52

Shot · no ice · Layered

  • KahlúaOne third
  • BaileysOne third
  • Grand MarnierOne third

GarnishSet alight, briefly

Layered heaviest first: Kahlúa, then Baileys, then Grand Marnier, each poured slowly over the back of a bar spoon. The workbook lists them the other way up, which is the order you see them in the glass rather than the order they go in.