Grave Digger

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The Grave Digger is a Halloween cocktail that was created in 2018 by Katie Stryjewski, the cocktail recipe developer and author behind Garnish Girl. Meant to be a twist on the Spanish Coffee, this spookier version mixed vanilla-infused brandy and coffee with citrus liqueur, and it tops it with sweet whipped cream and crushed cookies.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Vanilla-Infused Brandy: This is a spirit made with distilled white wine. I used Courvoisier VSOP Cognac.

Espresso: This is a concentrated type of coffee made from finely ground coffee beans and hot water. I used ground coffee from a local supplier.

Coffee Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with coffee, spices, sugar, and alcohol. I used Mr. Black Spirits Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur.

Orange Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with oranges, sugar, and brandy or rum. I used Naranja Orange Liqueur.

Whipped Cream: This is heavy cream that has been whipped and beaten until it is light and fluffy. I used Reddi-Wip Original Dairy Whipped Topping.

Oreo Cookies: This is a cookie made with two chocolate wafers and a sweet fondant center.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Dark brown color with a frothy top

• Aroma: Cream and cocoa

• Taste: Initial flavor of sweet cream that leads into bold coffee notes fortified with barrel-aged brandy

• Finish: Dark coffee and citrus

Kendall’s Take
“This dessert-style cocktail takes the boldness of the iconic Espresso Martini and adds a festive, indulgent twist. Whipped cream and crushed Oreos turn it into a playful, boozy sweet treat, while the coffee, brandy, and subtle citrus notes provide depth for those who still love a little complexity. The Grave Digger is rich yet still fun and a great option for Halloween when you want a cocktail that doubles as a dessert in a glass.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Liquor.com.