Smith And Kerns Cocktail Recipe

Pin It
Smith And Kerns Cocktail Recipe - The Smith And Kerns cocktail offers a delightful blend of sweet and creamy flavors, with a subtle hint of coffee. The cream and coffee liqueur create a rich, velvety texture, while the soda adds a refreshing fizz. The overall taste is smooth, sweet, and slightly nutty.
Jump to Recipe ⬇️

Smith And Kerns Nutrition Facts

Calories:210

Fat:10g

Protein:1g

Carbohydrates:15g

Alcohol %:10%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

Contents

History

The Smith And Kerns cocktail is a classic, creamy cocktail that is believed to have originated in the United States during the mid-20th century. It's a simple, yet satisfying drink that is often enjoyed as an after-dinner treat. It's perfect for those who appreciate a sweet, creamy cocktail with a hint of coffee flavor.

  • The cocktail is named after its creators, Smith and Kerns, two bartenders who were known for their innovative cocktail recipes.
  • It's a popular choice among those who enjoy creamy, dessert-like cocktails.
  • The Smith And Kerns cocktail is often served in a highball glass, over ice.

How Smith And Kerns Tastes?

The Smith And Kerns cocktail offers a delightful blend of sweet and creamy flavors, with a subtle hint of coffee. The cream and coffee liqueur create a rich, velvety texture, while the soda adds a refreshing fizz. The overall taste is smooth, sweet, and slightly nutty.

Interesting facts about Smith And Kerns

  • The Smith And Kerns cocktail is often served with a cherry garnish, adding a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.
  • Despite its creamy texture, the cocktail is surprisingly light and easy to drink.
  • The coffee liqueur used in the Smith And Kerns cocktail is typically Kahlua, but other coffee liqueurs can also be used.

Ingredients

Cream

Using 1.5 oz of cream adds a luxurious texture and smooth mouthfeel, softening the sharpness of the coffee liqueur. Too much cream, and you risk overpowering the drink; too little, and the cocktail might taste too harsh. If you're out of cream, half-and-half could work, but it will be less rich.

Alex Green

Coffee Liqueur

1 oz coffee liqueur provides the characteristic coffee flavor and a touch of sweetness. Without it, the proverbial spine of the drink — its defining flavor — would be missing. A possible substitute could be a homemade infusion of coffee and vodka; however, this will likely result in a less sweet and more intense coffee flavor.

Emma Rose

Club Soda

2 oz of club soda brings effervescence and lightness to the drink, balancing the heaviness of the cream. Leaving it out would make for a denser, creamier cocktail that might be too rich. You could try a flavored soda water for a twist, but keep in mind it will alter the drink's profile.

Mary Mitkina

Maraschino Cherry

The garnish of a single maraschino cherry is the cherry on top! It adds a dash of color and a hint of sweet, fruity flavor when eaten at the end. No cherry? No problem, really — it's mostly about the presentation, though you'll miss that last sweet bite.

Alex Green

Recipe. How to make Smith And Kerns Drink

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
  2. Pour the cream and coffee liqueur over the ice.
  3. Top with club soda.
  4. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Pro Tips

  • For a creamier cocktail, try using heavy cream instead of regular cream.
  • Chill your glass before serving for an extra refreshing cocktail.
  • For a fun twist, try adding a shot of espresso to your Smith And Kerns cocktail.

Perfect Pairings

Suggested Pairings for Smith and Kerns Cocktail

Desserts

  • The creamy and coffee notes of Smith and Kerns make it an excellent companion to sweet treats, especially those with a chocolate or coffee base like tiramisu or chocolate mousse.

Salty Snacks

  • Bold, salty flavors such as salted nuts or potato chips can complement the sweetness and creaminess of the drink, creating a delightful contrast.

Cheese Platter

  • A platter featuring a variety of cheeses, particularly aged ones like cheddar or gouda, will pair nicely with the smooth, rich texture of the cocktail.

🍹 Discover the Top 50 All-Time Recipes! 🍹

Enter your email, and we'll send the exclusive list straight to your inbox.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

What you could change in Smith And Kerns

  • Coffee Liqueur: You can substitute the coffee liqueur with any other coffee-flavored liqueur, such as Tia Maria or Patron XO Cafe.
  • Cream: If you prefer a lighter cocktail, you can substitute the cream with half-and-half or milk.

Explore all drinks starting with S here

And of course - twists🍹

Espresso Smith and Kerns

  • Add a shot of espresso for a stronger coffee kick.
  • Ingredients: 1.5 oz cream, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz espresso, 2 oz club soda, maraschino cherry.
  • The bitterness of the espresso will cut through the sweetness, appealing to those who appreciate a bold coffee flavor.

Chocolate Smith and Kerns

  • Mix in chocolate syrup for a mocha twist.
  • Ingredients: 1.5 oz cream, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz chocolate syrup, 2 oz club soda, chocolate shavings for garnish.
  • The chocolate enhances the drink with rich cocoa notes perfect for chocolate lovers.

Nutty Smith and Kerns

  • Replace 0.5 oz of coffee liqueur with nut liqueur for a nutty profile.
  • Ingredients: 1.5 oz cream, 0.5 oz coffee liqueur, 0.5 oz nut liqueur (like Frangelico), 2 oz club soda, a pinch of ground nutmeg on top.
  • This introduces warm, nutty layers, making the drink more complex and autumnal.

In case you forgot basics how to make Smith And Kerns

Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.

Learn everything on how to stir

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

Find the cocktail you'd love!

If you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
Completely free!

Find Cocktail

Frequently Asked Questions on Smith And Kerns

What type of glass is most suitable for serving the Smith And Kerns cocktail?

The Smith And Kerns cocktail is traditionally served in a highball glass. This is a tall, straight-sided glass that is perfect for cocktails with a high proportion of non-alcoholic mixers.

Are there any variations of the Smith And Kerns cocktail?

Yes, while the traditional Smith And Kerns cocktail uses coffee liqueur, cream, club soda, and a maraschino cherry, variations may use different types of coffee liqueur, light or heavy cream, and various fruit garnishes.

Is Smith And Kerns a good cocktail for beginners to try making at home?

Absolutely! The Smith And Kerns is a relatively simple cocktail to make, with a few readily available ingredients. It's a great way to practice basic cocktail-making techniques like building a drink in the glass.

More similar recipes to Smith And Kerns!

Explore new cocktails you'd love!

Please rate this recipe