High-octane Recipe
Make High-octane Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cocktail Base
Sweetener & Energy Boost
Brightener & Balance
Finish & Garnish
Method
Preparation
Chill glass
Place a coupe or rocks glass in the freezer or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.
If using an espresso shot, pull one fresh shot and let it cool slightly (30–60 seconds) so it is warm but not boiling. If using cold brew concentrate, ensure it's chilled.
Build & Shake
In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, coffee liqueur, dark rum, espresso, cold brew (or strong coffee), simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and orange bitters.
Add 1 cup of ice to the shaker. If you included an energy shot, add it now. Secure the shaker lid and shake vigorously for 12–18 seconds — you want a good chill and a light froth from the espresso.
After shaking, add 1 dash of Angostura bitters to the top of the foam in the shaker (optional) and give a single short swirl to incorporate without over-diluting.
Strain & Serve
Discard the ice or remove the coupe/rocks glass from the freezer. Double-strain the cocktail through a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and espresso grounds.
Express the oils of the lemon twist over the drink by holding it skin-side down and pinching, then run it around the rim and drop it into the cocktail.
Garnish with 2–3 espresso beans or a light dusting of grated dark chocolate on the foam.
Serve immediately. Advise guests that this is a high-caffeine, high-proof cocktail — consume responsibly.