Bow TieCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Bow Tie is a short, spirit-forward cocktail that pairs two base spirits with a dark, sweet liqueur for a bold, after-dinner feel. It doesn’t sit among the widely documented classics, so you’ll find it reads more like a modern, lounge-style sipper: compact, confident, and built around the contrast between bright botanicals and roasted richness.
On the palate, gin’s herbal, juniper-led character sets a crisp frame, while whiskey brings warmth and depth underneath. Coffee liqueur ties them together with a smooth, sweet coffee note that softens the gin’s edges and amplifies the whiskey’s darker tones. Expect a layered profile where the coffee liqueur’s sweetness rounds out the sharper botanical lift, leaving a lingering, gently bitter coffee finish.
Served in a whisky glass, this is one for slow drinking—ideal when you want something that feels dressed-up without being fussy. You’ll enjoy it if you like coffee-leaning cocktails, spirit-forward serves, or a nightcap that bridges the gap between a classic whiskey pour and a liqueur-led digestif.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
Whiskey and gin lead with a dry, juniper-tinged bite that quickly gets wrapped in the dark sweetness of coffee liqueur, bringing roasted depth and a syrupy finish. It works because the coffee liqueur softens the spirits’ edges while the gin keeps the whiskey from feeling too heavy; ideal for after-dinner sippers who like bold, boozy, bittersweet drinks.
Method
How to make a Bow Tie
- Whiskey 15ml, Gin 30ml, Coffee liqueur 30ml
-
- Add clear ice to a whisky glass, stir and drain the water
-
- Pour the whisky, gin and Kahlúa over the ice in that order and stir gently
-
- Serve
Power tips
Elevate the Bow Tie with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Stir ·Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
Can I use a different type of whiskey if I don't have the specific one recommended for a Bow Tie cocktail?
Yes, you can use any type of whiskey you have available although the flavor profile might change slightly depending on the whiskey's characteristics. Rye whiskey can add a spicy note, while a smoother bourbon might make it sweeter.
What is the best way to serve a Bow Tie cocktail to preserve its flavors and presentation?
The Bow Tie cocktail is best served in a whiskey glass, as recommended. To preserve its flavors and presentation, serve it cold and immediately after stirring the ingredients together. Avoid adding ice directly to the glass to prevent dilution; instead, chill the ingredients beforehand.
Why is the Bow Tie cocktail stirred and not shaken?
The Bow Tie cocktail is stirred rather than shaken to maintain the clarity and smooth texture of the drink. Shaking can introduce air bubbles and cloudiness, which would detract from its elegant appearance and subtly alter the taste profile.
How does the alcohol content in a Bow Tie cocktail compare to that of a standard cocktail?
With an alcohol content of 32%, the Bow Tie cocktail is stronger than many standard cocktails, which typically have an alcohol content ranging from 15% to 30%. Its higher strength is due to the combination of whiskey, coffee liqueur, and gin without the addition of mixers that would dilute it.
What are some food pairings that complement a Bow Tie cocktail?
Given its rich and robust flavors from whiskey, coffee liqueur, and gin, the Bow Tie cocktail pairs well with hearty and savory dishes. Consider pairing it with grilled steak, roasted pork, or rich chocolate desserts to complement its deep flavors.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Taste this refreshing blend of coffee and coconut.
Espresso Martini Sammy Junior
Aged rum, Coffee liqueur, Coffee, Coconut water
Uncover the subtle blend of bourbon and coffee.
Revolver
Bourbon, Coffee liqueur, Orange bitters, Sugar / simple syrup
Try this creamy blend with a gingerbread twist.
White Russian Christmas
Vodka, Coffee liqueur, Gingerbread syrup, Cream, Mincemeat
Relish this coffee-infused tequila treat
Prince Louis
Tequila blanco, Coffee liqueur, Orange juice, Lemon juice, Coffee
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments