A Hidden Gem: The “Careful” Bourbon & Coffee Cocktail

A Hidden Gem: The “Careful” Bourbon & Coffee Cocktail

If you are looking for a unique riff on a coffee cocktail that steps outside the usual Espresso Martini or Revolver territory, you need to try the Careful.

Invented by cocktail enthusiast Kerr Lordygan (pronounced “care”), this drink is a clever, multi-layered play on both his name and the deceptively smooth potency of the mix. It brings together equal parts rich bourbon and coffee liqueur, using just a whisper of triple sec as a bright citrus bridge to cut the sweetness.

Using a robust 94-proof base like Elijah Craig Bourbon ensures the spirit isn’t drowned out by the liqueurs, resulting in a velvety, cold-weather classic.

Careful

• Creator: Kerr Lordygan

• Profile: Rich coffee and charred oak, brightened by a whisper of orange citrus and a dark cherry finish.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Elijah Craig Bourbon

• 1.5 oz Kahlúa

• 2 small capfuls (approx. 0.25 oz) Triple Sec

• Garnish: Luxardo or brandied cherry

Instructions

Combine the Elijah Craig, Kahlúa, and triple sec in a cocktail shaker.

Fill with plenty of ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the shaker is completely frosted.

Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.

Drop a high-quality cherry into the glass to finish.

The secret to this drink is the heavy shake. The ice melt opens up the complex vanilla and wood notes of the bourbon while transforming the heavy, syrupy texture of the Kahlúa into a beautifully aerated, frothy pour.