January 7, 2025 at 5:49 PM PST
Bold flavors and a velvety smooth taste.
Bold flavors and a velvety smooth taste.
Most people have a love-hate relationship with coffee liqueur. On the one hand, they’re steeped in rich flavors with smooth and robust aromas—think strong coffee and Madagascar vanilla. But on the other hand, they are the catalyst that skyrocketed espresso martinis to fame. Don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with a well-made espresso martini, but the popularity of the cocktail began to overshadow its shining ingredient: the best coffee liqueurs.
The trendy cocktail is synonymous with the liqueur, and while it is the key ingredient, it has so much more depth than that. Coffee liqueur artfully blends robust and strong coffee aromas with hints of sweetness to create a delicious and unique drink. Even more compelling? It can be used to make a variety of coffee cocktails. More often than not, they are made with high-quality vodka that adds to the smooth consistency of the liqueur. But vodka isn’t for everyone, and if you prefer a more intriguing taste, there are a number of coffee liqueurs made from different spirits, such as tequila and rum.
If you count the espresso martini among your favorite cocktails to make and sip, you need to get acquainted with the broad world of coffee liqueurs. Luckily, we’ve done the legwork for you. Ahead, see the best coffee liqueurs for sipping and mixing. Find your new favorite and add it to your home bar.
The Accompani line of liqueurs from the Portland-based RTD brand Straightaway offers a local flavor profile for common digestifs and cocktail mixers. This coffee liqueur is a prime example and is made from cold brew from Stumptown Coffee Roasters and is even sweetened with locally sourced Meadowfoam Honey.
This coffee liqueur is anything but basic. From the base of perfectly roasted Ethiopian beans to the chicory root-infused coffee, it delivers a whirlwind of rich and spicy flavors. But don't be unnerved—it's sweetened with pure Madagascar vanilla and a touch of organic sugar for a smooth and well-balanced taste.
A favorite among bars and restaurants, Mr. Black is a velvety and deep sip that doesn't disappoint. Brewed with Arabica coffee and Australian vodka, it's smooth and delicious whether mixed in cocktails or sipped neat.
Coffee lovers rejoice! This bespoke liqueur is a gem for brunch cocktails and espresso martinis. Crafted in New York in partnership with local roaster CDGA Coffee Co, it's rich in robust coffee flavors. Despite being a small-batch liqueur, it delivers a potent punch of aromas and finishes smooth with warm notes of vanilla, cocoa nibs, and freshly ground coffee.
The base of this liqueur is a combination of a cold brew concentrate and locally crafted alcohol that come together to create an exceptional flavor profile. On the nose you'll get rich coffee aromas, but upon tasting, you'll find intriguing notes of balsamic-drenched dried fruits, brown sugar, roasted nuts, and dark chocolate.
If you love espresso martinis but vodka isn't your thing, you'll want to reach for this tequila-based liqueur. Made with premium tequila and slow-roasted coffee, it offers a balance of bold and velvety flavors. From the rich coffee taste to the delicate notes of sweetness from the agave and just a hint of vanilla.
If you're familiar with the creamy taste of Kahlua, think of this as the older, cooler cousin. Instead of a hint of coffee flavoring, it has an intense kick of dark espresso flavor from 100 percent Arabica coffee beans. It's bold and strong but still has a kiss of sweetness from the sugarcane-derived rum that Kahlua is known for.
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