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Dark Mint Dream: The Cocktail You’ll Crave Tonight

It’s time to elevate your happy hour with a bright, minty twist: the Dark Mint Dream cocktail. This chilled coffee cocktail blends espresso, rum, and mint for a refreshing, creamy drink that’s easy to make and impossible to resist.

Vertical closeup of a glass of a milky coffee mixture topped with whipped cream and a sprig of mint, with a paper straw with decorative gold foil stars, with another identical glass and a stainless steel cocktail shaker in soft focus in the background, with scattered fresh herbs, on a gray folded and gathered cloth, printed with green and white text.

If you love coffee cocktails, this drink is for you. The caffeine in the espresso gives a pleasant lift to start the evening, while the mint keeps the flavor bright and refreshing. Instead of serving the coffee hot, this recipe is chilled, making it a perfect way to unwind after a long day or to enjoy on a lazy weekend afternoon.

Closeup image of a glass filled with a milky coffee beverage, topped with whipped cream and a sprig of mint, with a white and gold foil paper straw, on a gathered white cloth with more fresh herbs and a stainless steel cocktail shaker with matching lid in the background.

This drink begins with a mint simple syrup that infuses sweetness with fresh herb flavor. To amplify the mint, the cocktail also calls for muddled fresh leaves, which add a bright, aromatic layer that balances the richness of espresso and cream.

The combination of espresso and heavy cream creates a rich, indulgent base—somewhere between an iced latte and a grown-up dessert cocktail. White rum is the spirit of choice here because its light, clean profile complements the coffee and mint without overpowering them.

To finish the cocktail, a splash of club soda adds a hint of effervescence that lifts the drink and keeps it from feeling too heavy. A final flourish of whipped cream and a fresh mint sprig makes the presentation irresistible.

Overhead vertical shot of two glasses topped with whipped cream and sprigs of mint, with white paper straws decorate with gold foil straws, o a folded and gathered white cloth, on a brown wood surface.

This recipe scales easily. Make two servings in one shaker by doubling the ingredients and dividing the drink between two glasses. Top each with club soda just before serving.

Two lowball glasses filled with a coffee cocktail topped with whipped cream, a paper straw with gold foil decoration, and a sprig of fresh green mint, with more mint, a metal cocktail shaker, and a gathered white cloth, on a brown wood background.

Dark Mint Dream Cocktail

  • Author: Meghan Yager
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail

Description

After the first sip of this Dark Mint Dream, you’ll be hooked. It’s a fresh, mint-forward coffee cocktail that’s creamy, fizzy, and perfectly balanced.

Ingredients

For the Simple Syrup:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 5 large mint leaves

For the Cocktail:

  • 4 large mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
  • 1 1/2 fl oz white rum
  • 1 fl oz espresso
  • 1 fl oz heavy cream
  • 3/4 fl oz mint simple syrup
  • 1 fl oz club soda
  • Whipped cream, for garnish

Instructions

To Make the Simple Syrup:

  1. Combine the sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
  2. Once the sugar dissolves, remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 20 minutes. Discard the mint leaves and cool the syrup completely before using. Store any leftover syrup in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

To Make the Cocktail:

  1. Place the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker and muddle gently to release their oils.
  2. Add the white rum, espresso, heavy cream, and mint simple syrup to the shaker.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well chilled.
  4. Pour the mixture (no need to strain) into a glass filled with ice, then top with club soda.
  5. Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprig of fresh mint. Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutritional info is calculated for a single serving of the flavored simple syrup and may not represent the full accuracy of a lab analysis. Store leftover syrup refrigerated for up to 7–10 days. The syrup also works well in other coffee drinks or cocktails.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Beverages

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Cooking By the Numbers…

Step 1 – Make the Simple Syrup

Measure the sugar, water, and mint leaves for the simple syrup and combine them in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat as soon as the sugar dissolves. Cover and steep 20 minutes, then discard the leaves and cool the syrup to room temperature. Store refrigerated up to 10 days.

A nonstick saucepan of sugar, water, and mint leaves, on a brown wood surface.

Step 2 – Measure Ingredients

Measure the remaining ingredients: fresh mint, white rum, espresso, heavy cream, mint syrup, club soda, and whipped cream for garnish.

A glass mug of espresso and several sprigs of green fresh mint, on a wood surface.

Step 3 – Make Cocktail

Muddle the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker, then add the rum, espresso, cream, and 3/4 fl oz mint simple syrup. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Fill a glass with ice, pour the shaken mixture in without straining, and top with club soda. Garnish with whipped cream and a mint sprig.

Overhead shot of a stainless steel cocktail shaker filled with ice and coffee, with its lid to the right, on a striped wood surface.

Overhead shot of a glass topped with whipped cream and a sprig of mint with a white straw with gold foil decorative accents, on a gray wrinkled and gathered cloth with more fresh herbs.

What to Serve with the Dark Mint Dream

This cocktail scales well for a party. The mint syrup makes enough for about 10 cocktails; multiply the recipe as needed. For a large batch, muddle mint in a pitcher, add rum, espresso, cream, and syrup, stir, then serve over ice and top each glass with club soda just before serving.

Two lowball glasses filled with a coffee cocktail topped with whipped cream, a paper straw with gold foil decoration, and a sprig of fresh green mint, with more mint, a metal cocktail shaker, and a gathered white cloth, on a brown wood background.

Suggested appetizers that pair nicely with this creamy, minty cocktail include spicy or crunchy small bites. The cocktail’s creaminess helps tame heat from spicy dishes, while the mint and coffee notes complement savory, smoky, or citrus-forward snacks.

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Originally published by Mike Quinn on July 3, 2015. Last updated: February 29, 2024.

Nutritional information is an estimate based on generic ingredient data and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.