15 After-Dinner Drinks That Make The Perfect Nightcap
The night is young, shake up one of these cocktails.
Who says the night has to end? Linger a little bit with one of these amazing after-dinner cocktail drinks. Whether you want a comforting digestif or something more along the lines of a dessert cocktail, we've got plenty of recipes for nightcaps to help you wind down (or keep the party going). As they say, the night is young! Why not shake up a batch of espresso martinis?
Who doesn't love to sip a bit of Scotch whiskey or cognac after a big dinner? That's the beauty of a digestif! You might be familiar with their pre-dinner counterpart, the aperitif (which helps to open up the appetite and start a meal), while digestifs will help to perk you up after a meal. Classic digestifs involve sipping whiskey, brandy, aged tequilas, or rum simply on the rocks or mixed, as they often have an herbal flavor profile that encourages slowly savoring the drink. If you've ever had a Manhattan, a Negroni, or a Hot Toddy, you likely know just how delicious those taste at the end of the night!
If you like a little dessert with your cocktails, we've got tons of decadent cocktails that feel like a treat in a glass. White Russians are basically like drinking a boozy version of a chocolate coffee milkshake (what's not to love?). It's also impossible to say no to an espresso martini, a nutty Irishman, or hot buttered rum on a crisp fall night. Love some bitter with your sweet? Our recipes for cherry Sazerac and cranberry orange whiskey sour are just for you.
Classic Manhattan
There are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. First stirred up in 1894 by a bartender at New York City's Waldorf Astoria, the defining characteristic is that it uses Scotch whiskey. Change up your bitters with a few dashes of walnut, lavender, or black cherry for a fun twist.
Get the Classic Manhattan recipe.
Negroni
Something about the bittersweet, botanical flavors of the Negroni makes us feel like we're on vacation. This classic Italian cocktail amps up the notes of juniper in gin with sweet vermouth and herbaceous Campari. The best part? No crazy ratios to memorize. Just stir equal parts of all three and that’s it!
Get the Negroni recipe.
Espresso Martini
This buzzy '90s throwback has surged in popularity the last few years, and we are all the happier (and more caffeinated) for it. We love it as a pre-game drink to keep us going all through the night.
Get the Espresso Martini recipe.
Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is one of our favorite drinks to sip on when you're feeling under the weather or as a nightcap. Best part is? You almost definitely have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Change things up and make an apple cider version complete with caramel that is perfect for fall!
Get the Hot Toddy recipe.
Cherry Sazerac
New Orleans made the Sazerac famous and is a classic cocktail for Mardi Gras. We added a little maraschino juice to this whiskey and cognac cocktail for a little fruity sweetness. It's bittersweet!
Get the Cherry Sazerac recipe.
Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
We crave cranberry cocktails all season long, and this is our go-to cocktail this holiday season. It's warm and spicy from the whiskey and ginger beer, but refreshing and tart from the cranberry and citrus.
Get the Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour recipe.
White Russian
We abide by this delicious cocktail every home bartender needs to know. Tastes like a chocolate boozy milkshake and only three easy ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Get the White Russian recipe.
Amaretto Sour
For cocktail lovers who like a whiskey sour but want something a bit nuttier, this is the perfect drink. Amaretto Sour is also the ideal cocktail for anyone who loves tiramisu, since the classic Italian dessert often includes amaretto.
Get the Amaretto Sour recipe.
Classic Vodka Martini
Just three simple ingredients in this classic cocktail. Quality vodka and vermouth are key here—since they make up the drink, the cheap stuff just won't do. (You can save that for our Peanut Butter Cup Martini 😂)
Get the Classic Vodka Martini recipe.
Brown Sugar Old-Fashioned
A little brown sugar makes this classic cocktail extra warm and cozy, adding a hint of caramel and makes this drink feel anything but old-fashioned. It's the only way we like to make it now!
Get the Brown Sugar Old-Fashioned recipe.
Nutty Irishman
The sweetness and subtle nuttiness of the hazelnut liqueur Frangelico is the perfect partner to rich Irish cream. The almost inevitable whipped cream mustache that follows is highly worth it.
Get the Nutty Irishman recipe.
Whiskey Ginger
Is there any whiskey cocktail more iconic and simple than a whiskey ginger? It’s just two ingredients but it’s truly one of the best bubbly/spirit combinations out there. To go the extra mile, we wanted a homemade, showstopper garnish, and we couldn’t think of anything more fitting than fresh, spicy candied ginger. Not only does it look great atop a drink, but it's also great for snacking.
Get the Whiskey Ginger recipe.
Hot Buttered Rum
Hot buttered rum is essentially the OG butter beer. They both are golden, richly sweet and have that beautiful head that will give you a silly mustache when you drink it. Add in rum, butter, sugar, ice cream, and healthy dose of cinnamon, and you've got heartwarming wintertime magic in a glass.
Get the Hot Buttered Rum recipe.
French 75
The French 75 is among the fanciest of cocktails. Sure, there’s the tried-and-true margarita and the timeless Old-Fashioned, but the French 75 has got what those two don’t: Champagne! Champagne is what makes this drink distinctively French (and totally worth the splurge), but a more affordable sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Cava are both sound options. Make sure to squeeze the lemon twist into your drink to add some of those floral lemon oils.
Get the French 75 recipe.
Big Apple Manhattan
This Manhattan uses apple brandy to give it a fruity twist. It's a strong enough drink to handle any and all holiday hustling, and is perfect served with any of our apple desserts.
Get the Big Apple Manhattan recipe.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine and if wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
