Barsys
Bitter Bean Collins
About
The Bitter Bean Collins cocktail flips expectations in the best way. Coffee usually leans dark and heavy. This doesn’t. Here, coffee liqueur becomes bright, lifted, and almost playful. Lime juice cuts through the roasted sweetness with sharp acidity, while simple syrup rounds the edges just enough to keep it balanced. Then club soda stretches the entire profile, adding effervescence and turning what could have been dense into something crisp and highly drinkable.
Think of it as a sparkling iced coffee with structure. The bubbles lighten the body. The citrus sharpens the finish. The result is refreshing, slightly bittersweet, and far more sessionable than an espresso martini.
Served tall in a highball over cubed ice, Bitter Bean Collins stays lively and aromatic. A lemon wedge garnish adds a subtle citrus lift that complements both lime and coffee.
It’s unexpected. And it works.
Shaken or Stirred? Shaken, then built. Shake the base to integrate and chill, then top with soda to preserve carbonation.
What You'll Need
For one Bitter Bean Collins Cocktail:
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
Glass: Highball glass
Garnish: Lemon wedge and Club soda, to top
Pro Tip: Fresh lime juice is essential. Bottled juice will dull the brightness that makes this cocktail work.
How to Make It
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
- Add coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and lime juice into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh cubed ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge.
Using Barsys Cocktail Maker?
Bitter Bean Collins is best prepared using the Barsys 360 AI Cocktail Machine, ideal for building sparkling cocktails. Load coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and lime juice for precise measurement, then finish with club soda in the glass to maintain bright carbonation.
For the full recipe, download the Barsys App.
Tasting Notes
The Barsys Edge
Coffee liqueur can easily dominate. Too much syrup turns it heavy, too little citrus makes it flat. Barsys 360 cocktail machine ensures Bitter Bean Collins stays balanced, bright, and consistently refreshing.
Sip Setting
Bitter Bean Collins works during the day or early evening. It’s energizing without being overwhelming, crisp without losing depth.
Garnish Game
A lemon wedge adds aromatic brightness and reinforces the citrus snap that defines the drink.
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FAQs
What is the Bitter Bean Collins cocktail?
Bitter Bean Collins is a sparkling coffee cocktail made with coffee liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
Is this cocktail sweet?
It’s lightly sweet but balanced by bright lime acidity and carbonation.
Can I use lemon instead of lime?
You can, though lime provides sharper contrast against the coffee notes.
Is this similar to an espresso martini?
No. It’s lighter, sparkling, and citrus-driven rather than creamy and intense.
Can I batch this cocktail?
Pre-mix the base ingredients and add club soda just before serving.