Guide to the World of Coffee Flavored Liquor: Top Picks to Try
Coffee flavored liquors have become very popular in bars and homes. These days, more distilleries are making coffee-infused spirits that put a unique spin on traditional offerings like Kahlúa.
This article will explore some of the top coffee liquor picks and highlight what makes them special. The goal is to showcase the range of flavors and encourage you to try different coffee-centric bottles beyond the classics.
The Evolution of Coffee Flavored Liquor
Coffee liqueurs have a long history, with Kahlúa playing an instrumental role since debuting in 1936. This Mexican liqueur, made from rum, sugar and Veracruz coffee beans, dominated the category for decades. Many vintage cocktail recipes relied on Kahlúa to incorporate rich coffee flavors.
In recent years, distillers have focused on creating coffee liquors with more nuanced and less sugary profiles. The rise of cold brew coffee has also influenced many new releases, as the method reduces bitterness and allows more fruity and floral notes to shine.
Modern coffee liquors highlight quality beans, ethical sourcing, and small batch production, similar to the standards set by brands like Lifeboost for their coffee. When choosing a coffee liquor, consider those that emphasize the use of high-quality, single-origin beans to ensure a rich and authentic flavor, much like the approach Lifeboost takes with its coffee.
Spotlight on Top Coffee Flavored Liquors
Below are overviews of several noteworthy coffee liquors that stand out from the crowd:
Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
The Australian brand Mr Black has rapidly risen in popularity since launching in 2013. It uses a cold brew method to intensely extract flavors from coffee beans without imparting bitterness. The result is a rich, tangy liqueur with significantly less sugar than products like Kahlúa.
Made from Australian wheat vodka and 100% specialty Arabica coffee beans, the neutral spirit base allows the natural coffee flavor to take center stage. With no artificial ingredients, Mr Black delivers a smooth yet robust coffee character. Around 10 times more coffee goes into it compared to traditional liqueurs.
Mr Black has become a go-to ingredient for modern Espresso Martini riffs and other coffee cocktails. Its balance of sweetness and bitter complexity pairs nicely with spirits. The brand occasionally releases special single-origin editions as well.
Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee
Best known for its distinct herbal liqueur, Jägermeister entered the coffee liquor realm with an appealing cold brew rendition. It blends the signature 57 botanicals of classic Jägermeister with freshly ground Arabica coffee and a hint of chocolate.
The familiar bittersweet Jägermeister base gets an invigorating jolt of cold brew coffee flavor. The natural combination makes this 70-proof liqueur easy to enjoy straight from the freezer or incorporate into bold cocktails. It also introduces Jägermeister to a new generation of drinkers who appreciate the contemporary coffee trend.
Caffè Amaro Liqueur
Inspired by the Italian tradition of blending coffee and amaro digestifs, Kansas City distillery J. Rieger & Co. created an exceptional coffee liqueur called Caffè Amaro.
Co-founder Ryan Maybee frequently mixed amaro with cold brew at home. He decided to bottle that perfect balance of bitter and sweet by infusing cold brewed coffee from local roaster Thou Mayest with J. Rieger's amaro base. The liqueur gets a brief rest in barrels too.
Caffè Amaro delivers a rich medley of coffee, cocoa, vanilla and botanical spices. It's equally enjoyable on its own or spiked into cocktails. The community-minded brand also supports other local businesses like the coffee roaster.
St. George Spirits NOLA Coffee Liqueur
California's St. George Spirits pays tribute to the coffee culture of New Orleans with its NOLA Coffee Liqueur. Dark roasted Ethiopian coffee beans and chicory mingle with Madagascar Bourbon vanilla and organic cane sugar.
Less sweet than classic coffee liqueurs, NOLA Coffee Liqueur spotlights the nutty, floral complexity of exceptional coffee. It also contains that signature New Orleans hint of chicory. The entire flavor profile mirrors the regional coffee drinks that the master distiller enjoyed with his future wife when they first met in the Big Easy.
Ron Colón Salvadoreño Coffee Infused Rum
For a bolder coffee spirit, try Ron Colón Salvadoreño. This is no liqueur but rather a high-proof rum from El Salvador infused with cold brew coffee. It spends 48 hours soaking up the flavors of medium-dark roasted, 100% Arabica beans.
Bottled at 55.5% ABV, this rum delivers a rich taste of chocolate, dried stone fruits and baking spices. The coffee seamlessly blends with the rum's inherent tropical fruitiness. Sip it slowly neat or add a splash to rum cocktails for a strong coffee kick.
Unique Coffee Liqueur Cocktails
Coffee flavored liquors shine brightly when used to amplify classic cocktails or provide the foundation for new inventions. Their versatility allows for many riffs on popular recipes.
Below are several coffee cocktail recipes worth trying. Feel free to tweak them by subbing different coffee liqueurs, milk alternatives and spirits according to taste:
Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini showcases coffee liqueurs like no other cocktail. Mr Black offers an intensely robust coffee flavor but experiments with other bottles too.
- 2 oz Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur
- 1 oz vodka
- 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
- 1 shot espresso
Combine ingredients with ice and shake vigorously. Fine strain into chilled coupe glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
White Russian Twists
Put your preferred coffee liqueur front and center in this classic duo of coffee, cream and vodka or whiskey.
- Substitute coffee liqueurs like Caffè Amaro or Ron Colón Salvadoreño for Kahlúa
- Instead of regular milk/cream, try oat or almond milk
- For a refreshing summer twist, use cold brew or iced espresso instead of hot coffee
- Hazelnut liqueurs like Frangelico also pair nicely with the coffee and cream
Marlboro Man
Smoky Scotch and Italian amari meet coffee in this creative combination. The Borghetti coffee liqueur ties it all together.
- 1 oz Laphroaig 10 Year Scotch
- 1 oz Amaro Abano
- 1 oz Punt e Mes
- 1⁄4 oz Borghetti Espresso Liqueur
Stir everything over ice and strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Irish Coffee Flips
These indulgent shaken drinks turn the comforting classic into a dessert cocktail.
- 2 oz Jameson Irish Whiskey
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 1⁄2 oz simple syrup
- 1 small egg
- Nutmeg for garnish
Dry shake ingredients hard without ice to emulsify. Then shake again with ice and strain into an Irish coffee glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Exploring Regional Varieties
The provenance of beans and distilling methods impart subtle taste differences between coffee liquors. Brands like St. George Spirits aim to encapsulate local coffee customs in their bottles.
J.F. Haden's Espresso Liqueur sources beans from Cuban roasters to replicate the island's strong, sweetened espresso. Caffè Amaro collaborates with a Kansas City roaster while Cafe Frieda in Minneapolis works exclusively with a local coffee bike delivery service.
Some rums and tequilas also integrate regional coffee cultures. Ron Colón highlights Salvadoran beans while Patrón XO Cafe pays homage to the coffee & tequila tradition in Mexico.
Experimenting with geographically diverse coffee liquors is a tasty way to explore different coffee terroir.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
Most coffee liquors are quite versatile, tasting excellent whether sipped neat, poured over ice or blended into cocktails. Here are some serving recommendations:
- Enjoy straight at room temp or chilled to accentuate coffee flavors
- Add a splash to milk or coffee drinks for a boozy lift
- Drizzle over ice cream or fresh fruit for an indulgent dessert
- Mix with spirits, liqueurs and cream or milk for signature coffee cocktails
In terms of food pairings, think chocolate, caramel, nuts and baked desserts. Coffee liquors also complement cigars, spicy cuisines and savory umami flavors. Ultimately though, the possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
Coffee flavored liquors offer immense diversity, ranging from sweet indulgent sippers to bitter, mixologist-approved elixirs. This guide has only scratched the surface of exciting new releases that deserve exploration.
Hopefully, the background, brand spotlights, cocktail recipes and serving suggestions have sparked inspiration. Take your taste buds on an adventure beyond classic Kahlúa to discover your perfect coffee liqueur match. Afterwards, start dreaming up coffee cocktail recipes or post-dinner pairings.
The world of coffee spirits continues evolving in tasty directions. With so many distinctive options now available, there's never been a better time to become a budding coffee liquor aficionado.
FAQs
What exactly is a coffee liqueur?
A coffee liqueur is a distilled spirit that has been infused with coffee beans or essences. Most also contain added sugar and flavorings like vanilla or cocoa. The base could be rum, whiskey, vodka or even tequila in some cases.
What's the difference between a coffee liquor and coffee-flavored liquor?
There's no major difference. Both terms refer to spirits that derive their dominant flavor from coffee beans. "Coffee flavored liquor" may suggest artificial flavorings rather than actual coffee content.
Which foods pair well with coffee liqueurs?
Coffee liqueurs complement chocolate, caramel, nuts, cream, berries and sweet bakery items like cakes. Their richness can also offset spicy dishes or savory elements like umami flavors.
Can you drink coffee liqueurs straight?
Absolutely. Many premium coffee liqueurs are designed to sip neat at room temperature or over ice. Sample straight to fully savor the layered coffee notes before mixing into cocktails.
What are popular ways to serve coffee liqueurs?
They excel in after-dinner cocktails like Espresso Martini or White Russian. Drizzle over ice cream for dessert or spike into Irish coffee too. Of course, most can simply be poured over ice or some coffee beans and enjoyed straight as well.
Do coffee liqueurs contain caffeine?
Some do since coffee beans impart caffeine. Cold brew coffee liqueurs in particular tend to have higher caffeine levels. Check bottle labels for details or consider decaf beans if avoiding late-night stimulation.
What are some top-rated coffee liqueur brands?
Mr Black and Jägermeister Cold Brew are bartenders' favorites. Caffè Amaro, Patrón XO Cafe, Mozart Chocolate Coffee and St. George NOLA earn rave reviews too. Kahlúa remains the iconic original coffee liqueur.