The term liqueur designates a spirit which is defined by its high sugar content of at least 100 grams per litre. Due to the high amount of sugar, liqueurs are relatively thick and are usually consumed in small amounts. The alcohol content of liqueurs can vary significantly and is typically somewhere between 15 and 40 percent. Besides herbal and fruit liqueurs, there are special types of liqueurs like egg liqueur and coffee liqueur.
What is coffee liqueur?
Coffee liqueur is, as the name suggest, a liqueur with coffee flavour. When the drink was invented or who the inventor was is not known. However, the production of modern coffee liqueur started at the beginning of the 20th century. Of course, the majority of coffee liqueur producers are located in coffee countries like Jamaica or Mexico.
How is coffee liqueur produced?
To create the aromatic spirit, a base alcohol is needed first. Besides brandy, spirits like tequila, whisky or rum can be used. The aroma is produced either by mixing the spirit with coffee aroma or by maceration. During maceration, the coffee beans are soaked in alcohol to extract their aroma. Afterwards, sugar and often caramel colour are added.
How to drink coffee liqueur
Coffee liqueur can be enjoyed pure or on ice. Similar to espresso, the dark coffee aromas work harmoniously with the sweet sugar aroma. Premium coffee liqueurs delight with complex flavour notes like vanilla and chocolate. Still, the most popular way to drink coffee liqueur is in combination with other drinks. The most popular cocktails and long drinks include the White Russian, Black Russian, B-52, Espresso Martini, Mexican Coffee, Black Jack and the Kahlúa Sour. Of course, coffee liqueur can also be used to prepare desserts and sauces.
What coffee liqueur brands should you know?
Kahlúa
Kahlúa is without a doubt one of the most popular coffee liqueurs in the world. Besides rum, coffee and sugar, the spirit also contains vanilla beans. The brand was founded in 1936 by Pedro Domecq who came from a Spanish aristocratic sherry family. It was he who gave the company its unusual name. Kahlúa means “house of the Acolhua people” in Nahuatl. Today, the brand belongs to the conglomerate Pernod Ricard.
Tia Maria
Tia Maria is a coffee liqueur brand from Jamaica. For the production, coffee beans, sugar, Jamaican rum and Madagascar vanilla are used. According to legend, the recipe for Tia Maria goes back to the 17th century, when a young Spanish aristocrat fled to Jamaica to escape the chaos of the colonial wars. Her maid kept a chest that, besides jewels, also contained an old manuscript with a recipe for a mysterious liqueur. According to the producer, the recipe was first rediscovered in 1940 which led to the foundation of Tia Maria.
Besides Tia Maria and Kahlúa, popular brands include Sheridan’s, Molinari, Bottega, Andrea De Ponte, Martin Codax and Patron XO Cafe.
Coffee liqueur at Gustero
At Gustero, we exclusively offer the best liqueurs on the market, which is why our assortment is small but excellent. Try one of our coffee liqueurs now – whether on its own or in a delicious cocktail!
