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Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned

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How are you at adulting? Like, for real?

I’m not so good at it. At least not in the way I once thought I should be.  We all learn from example, amiright? My parents hunkered down in careers for most of their adult lives, they thoughtfully and attentively raised my brother and I, and they invested effort to tow the line until they retired with savings in the bank and a pension, owning an actual house with a yard, two family cars, a boat, and an RV that was so big my dad had to buy a new truck to pull it. It all seemed so grown up, and so far away, when I was young.

Now I’m not so young. In fact, I just turned 39 last week. And I don’t have any of those things! They all still seem so very far away. Like the moon. Or Chris Hemsworth’s pants.

Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca

I’m good with that though.

It’s funny, how life curves and we bend with it. I truly believe our lives are the product of our thoughts. Our perspective and actions follow those thoughts. Sometimes to dark and twisty places that we don’t share with others. And sometimes to incredible achievements or experiences we can’t wait to post to Instagram.

For example, instead of a career, I’ve dedicated my work-time to the passionate pursuit of short term goals. In that, I’ve run a design and content marketing business for the last 7 years, written what turned out to be an award-winning cookbook, and am trying my damnedest to find an agent to publish my new-adult sci-fi novel. I’ve also worked as an actress, tried my hand at the corporate world – which I promptly ran screaming (in tears) from after 4 short months, and worked more than a decade in the restaurant industry.

Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca
Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca

Instead of having children, I keep good company and choose friends who inspire my soul,  challenge me, and are quick to put me in my place when needed. They also walk me to the outhouse at night when we’re camping and I’m too scared to brave the forest alone, make me belly laugh and spit Fireball-laced coffee out of my nose, and are the first to make fun of me when I say something ridiculous. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca

And finally, while I’d like to have more savings, I’ve chosen to spend my dollars traveling the world, buying over-priced underwear, and indulging in too many bottles of whiskey and gin… yeah, might need to rethink that a bit. But in the meantime, I’m so pumped to not have died hiking West Coast Trail last month, am excited to return to SE Asia in November for 6 weeks with my boyfriend to explore Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and hot damn my ass looks good in those undies.

Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca

Life hasn’t turned out the way I imagined it should. Not in the traditional sense or the way we’re taught through various media and education outlets. Maybe I spend too much time contemplating this. Or maybe it’s the act of reflecting on it that keeps me exploring new paths. And just a little bit broke.

I turned 39 last week. 39. That sounds so grown up. And yet, I feel no different than I did when I was 22. Except maybe a little less dumb, and a lot less drunk. My ass is also bigger. Thank god for expensive panties.

What adulting looked like for our parents, or our parents parents, or even what it looks like from person to person now, is so bloody different. And that’s badass. It’s true what they say – the times, they are a’changin. And we can pivot with them, whenever, and however we like. Nothing is permanent. Nothing is forever. And that’s exciting.

Cozy Coffee Cocktail: Coffee Old Fashioned Recipe - SheEats.ca

Speaking of times changing, it’s fall. Officially. Time to put away the bikini and margaritas, and break out the long-johns and whiskey. Are ya with me??

This recipe was inspired by one of my favourite cocktails – the Old Fashioned. Turning a corner into the last year of my 30’s, I wanted to take something old – nay, classic – and make it new again. Whether it be what “39” looks like, where we will lead our lives and the adventures we go on, or something as simple and as delicious, as cocktails, it’s a worthy pursuit. Or at least, a boozy one. And I’m down for that.

This coffee cocktail – the Coffee Old Fashioned – is laced with strong coffee, whiskey, cinnamon simple syrup, citrus, and cozy whipped cream you can tuck right into. It’s perfect for weekend brunch or just ’cause you damn well can.

Because hell, you’re an adult.

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Coffee Old Fashioned

Prep

Total

Yield 1 drink

Ingredients

For the drink:

  • 2 shots bourbon whiskey
  • 1 shot cold, strong coffee
  • 1/2 shot cinnamon simple syrup
  • Dash of Angostura bitters
  • 3-5 ice cubes

To serve:

  • 1 large ice cube (or 2 smaller ones)
  • Fresh whipped cream
  • Dash of ground cinnamon
  • range zest 

Instructions

  1. Combine all drink ingredients in a cocktail shaker or mason jar.
  2. Stir till your arm hurts, or about 60 seconds.
  3. Place serving cubes in a glass.
  4. Strain liquid into glass.
  5. Top with dollop of whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and orange zest.

Notes

To make the cinnamon simple syrup: place 1 C Redpath raw turbinado sugar, 1 C water, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan. Bring to a light boil, stirring regularly. Turn the heat to low and simmer 15 min. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove cinnamon sticks and store syrup in the fridge for up to 1 week. Use in all coffee until gone, because holy hell yum.

If you don't have access to raw turbinado sugar: organic cane sugar or a dark brown sugar will also work - you just want that deep sweet earthiness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: RedPath Sugar did provide me compensation for the work I did developing a recipe and taking pictures for Instagram. Thank you RedPath for supporting my blog! Regardless, I only recommend, giveaway or share products or services I love, use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I even developed a recipe + blog post out of the kindness of my heart (and growling of my belly!) because I enjoyed the product so much. All opinions, words and information here are entirely accurate and a reflection of my true experience and were not influenced, in any way, by the above mentioned products or companies. Opinions and views are my own. Because that’s how I roll, yo. I’ve never been one to shut my mouth – I’m not going to start now.

  • debra
    October 18, 2019 at 9:23 AM

    You gotta love fall for these recipes!