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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.
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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 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “Full disclosure: I am not a big coffee drinker. That usually means I’m not taken with coffee cocktails like so many people are these days, not even when I’m offered the famed Espresso Martini. Since the Grave Digger is essentially that but bolder, I can’t say I loved it. But I can absolutely see my coffee fiend family and friends enjoying this dessert drink quite a bit. The whipped cream and crushed Oreos make it an extra special boozy treat this time of year, too!”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Liquor.com, an online beverage publication.
Grave Digger
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.
Ingredients
Method
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Add brandy, espresso, coffee liqueur, orange curaçao, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a cocktail glass.
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Garnish with whipped cream and crushed oreos.
