Whether it’s to be added to heavy cream for a dessert libation or it’s a component of a more complex cocktail, coffee liqueur is not only simple to make—it’s one cocktail ingredient guaranteed to make you friends.

The cocktail revolution is over and the cocktails have won. But, who were the revolutionaries responsible for shaping cocktail culture so that well-made old fashioneds are ubiquitous?  

Rum and coke. Vodka cranberry. Whiskey soda with lime. Drinks named for their ingredients are the epitome of simple, but none are as refreshing as the gin and tonic, which current summer heat makes mandatory. But don’t let the simplicity of the recipe convince you…