By this point, almost everyone has heard Sabrina Carpenter’s hit single Espresso. Some people are calling it the anthem of summer – and that second verse is everything an earworm can be – but here at RHC, coffee is more than just a twinkly pop hit. It’s a year-round passion that only deepens as we head into fall. National Coffee Day, honored on September 29th each year, arrives just after the fall equinox. This celebrated day was established in 2005 and has become a beloved tradition for coffee enthusiasts ever since. 

As the crisp autumn weather sets in, coffee lovers flock to Starbucks for their seasonal fix of pumpkin spice, but why should coffee be confined to your morning ritual? In honor of National Coffee Day, below we celebrate a few spiked coffee cocktails that will keep the party going well into the evening.

The Carajillo from Good Fortune

For a taste of Good Fortune – literally – head to the aptly named Good Fortune cocktail bar on the rooftop of Hotel Heron in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Their Carajillo – a traditional Mexican coffee cocktail made with espresso and Spanish liqueur Licor 43 – is a perfect way to honor both National Coffee Day and Hispanic Heritage Month. Licor 43, named for its 43 botanicals, offers notes of citrus and vanilla, making this cocktail irresistibly flavorful.

Ingredients: 1 oz Fresh Espresso, .75 oz Banana Liqueur, .75 oz Licor 43, .25 oz White Crème de Cacao

Glassware: Small Footed Goblet

Garnish: Banana Chip

How to Make It: Shake and strain

Chūhai from Bar Goto and Bar Goto Niban

Craving a drink that’s bubbly with a caffeinated kick? Try Bar Goto’s Coffee Chūhai. Owner Kenta Goto describes it as “a caffeinated twist on the Japanese classic Chūhai, or shochu highball.” Featuring Iichiko Saiten – a shochu with rich, earthy notes – it’s paired with smooth coffee, tonic water, and a splash of club soda. This cocktail balances its ingredients to produce a refreshingly fizzy drink, perfect for when you need a spark in your sip.

Ingredients: 1 oz Coffee-infused iichiko SAITEN, 2 tsp Coffee Liqueur, 1 oz Tonic Water, 3 oz Club Soda 

Glassware: Highball

How to Make It: Add all ingredients to a highball glass filled with ice, stir gently, then serve

Pandan Negroni from Side Hustle

For those looking to keep the Negronis flowing post-Negroni Week, Side Hustle’s Pandan Negroni offers a fun take on the classic. Made with pandan, a tropical plant from Southeast Asia, it adds a fragrant, sweet-savory note that’s a match made in heaven with cold brew coffee. Trust us, once you try it, you’ll never look at a Negroni the same way again – even Bloomberg agrees that pandan is an ingredient on the rise.

Ingredients Needed: 1 oz Pandan-infused Tapatio Reposado Tequila, 0.75 oz Cocchi Torino Vermouth di Torino, 0.75 oz Campari, 0.5 oz Coconut water, 1 tsp Cold Brew Coffee

Glassware: Large rocks

Garnish: Pandan leaf

How To Make It: Combine in mixing glass, make sure not to stir over ice. Pour into a large rocks glass over a large ice cube, and serve

Spiced Coffee Kombucha from Mirror Bar

Lastly, for something out of this world, Mirror Bar has curated an intriguing Spiced Coffee Kombucha recipe as part of their Orbital cocktail. Bring Bratislava to your home by blending kombucha and cold brew with a dash of cinnamon – an undeniably quintessential fall flavor. Serve it in a stunning Uranium Glass by Rony Plesi, just like the pros at Mirror Bar.

Ingredients Needed: 1 oz Absolut Elyx, 0.2 oz Spiced Coffee Kombucha*, 0.8 oz Peach Avid Solution** , 0.5 oz Paragon Timur Berry, 0.1 oz Fernet Branca Menta, Activated Charcoal

Glassware: Uranium Glass by Rony Plesi

Garnish: Orange zest oil

How To Make It: Pour all ingredients over ice in the Uranium Glass, add activated charcoal premix and stir. Garnish with orange zest oil

Send us a message to get your hands on the Spiced Kombucha and Peach Avid Solution recipes @wearerhc

HOT RHC TIP: for those looking to elevate their at-home coffee game and craft like the pros, Breville recently launched its Oracle® Jet – a state-of-the-art espresso machine that’s setting a new standard for home brewing. With 10 preset drink options, including Cold Brew and Cold Espresso, it’s ideal for whipping up coffee cocktails like espresso martinis. Plus, with features like automatic grinding, dosing, tamping, and the ability to brew cold espresso, the Oracle Jet is the ultimate tool for celebrating coffee at home.