One of the things I appreciate most about coffee is its unifying ability, a quality that can't be said for all drinks. Despite the million different ways people like their coffee, there remains a mutual understanding among coffee drinkers alike that, no matter your preference for the drink, not a word shall be murmured until the first sip of morning brew lands on your taste buds.

You know those people who are able to tap out after one or two cups of coffee? I wish I could be one of them. For me, once the seal's been broken, it's nonstop coffee sipping all day long. And admittedly, I'm really not that picky. Whether it be a pot of the burnt sludge they serve in the break room or a delicately crafted cup, what I'm truly after is the simple sense of comfort that comes from having my gigantic hand clasped around a warm cup of joe.

Pryce Fischer is my friend and neighbor. He works at a local roastery and is someone who takes pleasure in the intricate and subtle nuances that can be extracted from coffee. Lately he's been working on coffee cocktails and I've had the pleasure of getting to be the resident taste tester.

What exactly is a coffee cocktail? Well, it's basically a gussied up mini version of a cold brew or iced latte that can be served with or without booze. They're refreshing, aromatic, and feel so darn classy.

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Pryce Fischer's Spiced Maple Coffee Cocktail

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cold brew coffee
1 tsp simple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple syrup
heavy whipping cream
cinnamon stick
fresh rosemary
fresh nutmeg

Method:

In a shaker, combine the vanilla extract and simple syrup with a few dashes of cinnamon. Add 1/4 cup of cold brew and a few ice cubes. Give it a good shake.

Drizzle the maple syrup on the inside of your glass and add two fresh ice cubes. Strain the contents of the shaker into your glass and add the additional 1/4 cup of cold brew. Top it off with a dash of heavy cream. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, fresh rosemary, and a few grates of fresh nutmeg over the top.